Digital Fabrication Design
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Digital Fabrication Laboratory
The Digital Fabrication Laboratory is a hub for research, innovation and advanced fabrication available to all staff and students in the Faculty. The facilities include two Universal laser cutters (Alpha α and Beta β), one large scale Trotec laser cutter (Gamma γ) , plastic and powder rapid prototypers (3d printers), Multicam CNC Router, Roland Modela CNC mill, as well as 2 Makerbots. Bookings for all laser cutters are available online (below). All bookings for other digital fabrication machines can be made in the Digital Fabrication Laboratory.
- One ‘Universal’ laser cutter (Alpha α β)
- Two Trotec laser cutters (120w Gamma γ and 60w Delta δ)
- ZCorp Spectrum Z510 Powder Rapid Prototyper
- Projet Plastics Rapid Prototyper
- Multicam 3 Axis CNC Router
- Roland Modela CNC mill
- Two Makerbots.
Laser Cutters
Three laser cutters are available in the Digital Fabrication Laboratory enabling cutting or engraving of sheet material generated from CAD data (AutoCAD or Rhino). Please refer to the guidelines and relevant laser cutting templates prior to booking the laser cutters.
Laser Cutters Alpha (α)
1st Year BDES students: Laser cutters not available
2nd Year BDES students: Maximum 30 minute booking/week
3rd Year BDES students, Post Graduate Students (Masters) and other students within the faculty:
Maximum 60 minute booking/week
Alpha (α) and Beta (β) Laser Cutter Templates
Laser Cutter Gamma (γ) and Delta (δ)
1st Year BDES students: Laser Cutter not available
2nd Year BDES students: Laser Cutter not available
3rd Year BDES students, Post Graduate Students (Masters) and other students within the faculty:
Maximum 60 minute booking/week
Gamma (γ) & Delta (δ) Laser Cutter Templates
Book Laser Cutter Gamma (γ) or Delta (δ)
ATSC Safety and Competency Class bookings
- Completion of a Safety and Competency (S&C) class is mandatory before using the ATSC facilities
- Book into a S&C class [online booking feature coming soon]
Laser Cutter Guidelines
Three laser cutters are available in the Digital Fabrication Laboratory enabling cutting or engraving of sheet material generated from CAD data (AutoCAD or Rhino). The following important guidelines will ensure efficient and safe use of the machines.
Templates
All laser cutters function based on set and supplied laser cutter templates on either AutoCAD or Rhinoceros 4.0. Files must be saved in .dwg (AutoCAD) format or .3dm (Rhinoceros 4.0) format. These templates are based on a colour system recognised by the machines and must be adhered to when operating the machines.
- To save files from Rhino into Autocad export .dwg files in Autocad 2004 to ensure program compatibility.
Note: Digital file setup time is included within booking period.
Download the appropriate laser cutting template
Maximum Bed size
- Laser Alpha is a Universal machine with a maximum bed size of 810 x 450mm.
- Laser Gamma and Delta are Trotec machines with a maximum bed size of 1240 x 710mm
Note: Laser Gamma has a pass through function. Any staff or students wishing to use this function must consult with Digital Fabrication staff prior to booking this machine.
Material
All material supplied within the Digital Fabrication Laboratory for these machines is cut to size. Those supplying their own materials must organise the cutting of their material to the correct size for the machine prior to their booking.
All material supplied MUST be flat. Materials that can be used include:
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Important information for file setup
- All files must be set up on the appropriate laser cutting templates prior to booking period. This must be saved as .dwg (AutoCAD) or .3dm (Rhinoceros 4.0) format. Note: Digital file setup time is included within the booking period.
- All duplicate lines (lines on top of each other) must be removed prior to laser cutting. Cutting a line multiple times may result in an uneven finish, or can be a fire hazard. All users should run the ‘Overkill’ command in AutoCAD or ‘Make2D’ (in top view) in Rhinoceros to ensure that all drawings are flat and all duplicate lines have been removed.
- All users are required to ‘nest’ their pieces across each panel to ensure minimal gaps between linework and to save material. The minimum gap to maintain is 2mm however this may vary depending on materials (Plastics require larger gaps to ensure material has time to cool down between adjacent cuts.)
- Files requiring detailed cutting work should alternate layering across the panel to ensure cutting sequence avoids fire hazards.
Costs
- Laser Cutter Alpha (α) charge: $12.00/30 minutes
- Laser Cutter Gamma (γ) and Delta (δ) charge: $20.00/30 minutes
ZCorp Spectrum Z510 Powder Rapid Prototyper
The Spectrum Z510 Full Color System produces high-definition, full-colour prototypes quickly and affordably. Superior inkjet printing technology creates parts with crisply defined features, enhanced accuracy, and precise color, so you can print and evaluate physical models of design concepts in their nearly finished state.
Maximum Print size
Width 300mm x Depth 200mm x Height 165mm
Cost
$2.00 Set-up fee + 50cents per 1cm ³
Booking
Powder printing files are sent through at 10am and/or 3pm daily (depending on demand.) A powder printer booking system will be available soon.
For all booking enquiries, or to request a booking time, the atsc at (atsc@sydney.edu.au)
File Type
Files should be exported as .stl or .vrml:
- Precision: 0.01
- Binary
Colour Printing
From Rhino:
- Apply colour or image as a render material to the selected layers.
- Export as a .vrml only (Version 1.0)
Notes
- Ensure that all surfaces are joined (with no holes) and all volumes are capped. The model should be ‘watertight’.
- Use the ‘Direction’ command (type DIR) in Rhinoceros to check that all surface normals are facing outwards.
- Closed volumes can overlap or intersect.
- As the cost of the print is determined by the volume of binder and powder required all models should be hollowed out to minimise cost.
- The recommended minimum wall thickness is 2mm.
Projet Plastics Rapid Prototyper
The ProJet HD 000 is an additive printer using UV light to print precision, durable plastic parts ideal for functional testing, design communication, rapid manufacturing, rapid tooling . The Projet RP has selectable print resolutions and built in support system generation as well as accuracy between 0.025-0.05mm.
Maximum Print size
Width 298mm x Depth 105mm x Height 203mm in HD mode (for mid resolution printing and full support material generation)
Width 127mm x Depth 178mm x Height 152mm in UHD mode (for high resolution printing and minimal support material generation)
Cost
To be calculated in the Digital Fabrication Laboratory
Booking
For all booking enquiries, or to request a booking time, the atsc at (atsc@sydney.edu.au)
Students and staff wishing to use the Projet HD300 must see staff prior to requesting a booking.
File Types
- Precision: 0.01
- Binary
Notes
- Ensure that all surfaces are joined (with no holes) and all volumes are capped. The model should be ‘watertight’.
- Use the ‘Direction’ command (type DIR) in Rhinoceros to check that all surface normals are facing outwards.
- Closed volumes can overlap or intersect.
- As the cost of the print is determined by the volume of support material and plastic required all models should be hollowed out to minimise cost.
- The recommended minimum wall thickness is 0. 5mm
Multicam CNC Router
The MultiCAM CNC router 3 Axis Router enables the efficient and accurate cutting of both 2D and 3D files in large format (1200mm x 2400mm) and has the largest gantry height of any machine of its kind (300mm). The machine has the capability to cut thick timbers and Perspex as well as soft metals to superior edge finishing and has a powerful vacuum table to hold down warped material. Run by Enroute (2D) and Visual Mill software (3D), CNC machining allows for complete control over tool path direction and finish quality.
Bed size
Width 1200mm x Depth 2400mm
Cost
2D Cutting (Perspex or Timber) / 3D Foam Cutting: $15 set up, waste disposal and tool sharpening
3D Cutting (Perspex or Timber): $25 set up, waste disposal and tool sharpening
+ $5/hour for every hour over 2 hours in cutting time
Booking
For all booking enquiries, or to request a booking time, the atsc at (atsc@sydney.edu.au)
File Type
2D files should be exported as .dxf
3D files should be exported as .stl
- Prevision:0.01
- Binary
Notes
- Ensure that all surfaces are joined (with no holes) and all volumes are capped. The model should be ‘watertight’ (particularly the top surface_
- Closed volumes can overlap or intersect.
- Those wishing to do two-sided machining must construct a bounding box and model-in tabs prior to using the CNC router.
MakerBots
The USYD Dig Fab Lab has two Makerbots available for use by all students and staff in the Faculty enabling the efficient and economical rapid prototyping of small elements. The machine uses heated ABS plastic to additively construct 3D models and is capable of automatically generating scaffolding to print parts accurately and cleanly. The machines, which come flat packed, have been assembled by staff in the Dig Fab Lab who are constantly exploring and experimenting with new types of outputs and finishing processes. For more information visit: http://www.makerbot.com/ or http://www.thingiverse.com/
Maximum Print Size
Width 105mm x Depth 105mm x Height 117mm
Cost
$2.00 Set-up fee + $1.00 per 10 grams INCLUDING raft and scaffolding.
Booking
For all booking enquiries, or to request a booking time, the atsc at (atsc@sydney.edu.au)
Students and staff wishing to use the MakerBots must see staff prior to requesting a booking.
File Type
2D files should be exported as .stl
Notes
- Printing in clear PLA and water soluble PVA requires non-standard settings. See technician.
- Angles shallower than 45 °require raft and scaffolding.
Acoustics Laboratory and Audio Studio
Acoustic equipment loans
- Yellow” and “Orange” boxes, view their contents here
- For Orange box loans email ken.stewart@sydney.edu.au
Please provide your student number, contact details and your requirements. - For Yellow box loans email loans@arch.usyd.edu.au
Please provide your student number, contact details and your requirements.
Audio equipment loans
- Compact Flash/Zoom recorders and other microphones available
- Contact loans@arch.usyd.edu.au to arrange a loan and provide your student number, contact details and your requirements.