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Creating Flexibility with Kerf

Kerf refers to the amount of material that is removed when cutting. As opposed to the width of a saw blade or a drill bit, a laser has a very small kerf. By using strategic placements of these thin lines, we are able to increase the bendability of materials such as wood tremendously to create bendable hinges and curves. In this lesson, we'll utilize kerf bending to create a notebook that we can open and close.

Laser 101 FSL Notepad Cover Header.jpg

 

Safety First
Before powering on your laser, ensure that your workspace is free of fire, electrical and other safety hazards. Always be aware of all safety precautions when cutting materials with a laser.

Verify that your laser is connected to a computer by using the included ethernet cable.
For any additional setup or troubleshooting, reference your user manual for details

 

Launch Software
When the boot cycle completes, locate the unique IP address for your machine. For Muse, the wired IP will be listed in the bottom right corner of the touchscreen. To access the wireless IP, go to Settings>Network.  For all other machines, use the IP address that appears in the main screen after the boot cycle. 
Type this unique number into any web browser.  We recommend Google Chrome for best results.

 

 

 

 

What We Learned

  • What is Kerf?
    • Kerf is the amount of material lost when cutting. 
  • How does kerf allow us to bend materials like wood?
    • Wood has a slight flexibility.  By cutting in specific areas, we're able to maximize it's flexibility.
  • Why might this technique be difficult to produce on plywoods?
    • Plywoods may not always be solid and may include air pockets that create fragile points. 

Materials: 

1/8" Wood
3"x5" Notepad
Rubber Bands
(Optional) 1/4" Elastic


 

Things to think about:

  • What is Kerf?
  • How does kerf allow us to bend materials like wood?
  • Why might this technique be difficult to produce on plywoods?

Download

Design Files

 

(RE2)
.PDF
(RE2)
.PDF
(RE1)
.SVG
(RE1)
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