An Introduction to Mechanisms

1 Making your automata - 2D Design

To make your own automata using 2D Design there are a number of skills that you need to be able to do.

On the side bar, click and hold one line tool and select the third option ‘given angle and length’.
Type in the numbers you need. For example – 106mm by 0 degrees and 25mm by 90 degrees.
Below is a video to help.

Go to the website www.google.co.uk , type in what you want an image of.
Click on images – tools – black and white – clipart or line drawing
Find a good image – remember the laser cutter only works in one colour so keep the images simple.
Right click - Copy and paste into 2D design.
Please note - not all images will work. Just keep trying until you get one that works.
You can also click on this link to go back to similar instructions from the Storage Box project.
Below is a video to help.

By clicking shift and then dragging a corner of the image you will maintain the images overall proportions i.e. it won’t be squashed or stretched.
Below is a video to help

On the side toolbar, click on the Contour tool > spacing 1.00mm. Select red colour. Click on the outside of the image.
Then move the contour layer away from the original image by dragging with the mouse.
Below is a video to help

On the side toolbar click on the circle tool – select the second option with an ‘R’. Change to 1.5mm.
Click where you want the hole to be.
Below is a video to help

On the side toolbar, click on the dim lines tool. You need to draw a horizontal or vertical line, or both, on the object you want measuring. If you select the object and the dim lines, hold shift, you can resize objects with some accuracy.
Please note: You will need to delete these lines when you have finished drawing otherwise they will be included in the cut.
Below is a video to help

Firstly make sure your file is saved with a suitable name. Then go to Outlook – should be a link on the bottom toolbar in Windows – big O. Click on new. Type the address lasercutter and then check names. Attach the file and send it.
Below is a video to help

Here is a worked example from start to finish. Please note: the sound and images are sometimes not in sync.

Please watch this video. It will explain how to use the laser cutter.