Laser Cutting Tools and Processes

Its potential as a teaching tool

This workshop is designed for classroom educators to gain experience in using laser cutters and relevant software. The workshop demonstrates the workflow to produce both simple 2D objects and assembled 3D structures by slicing/interlocking processes, thereby giving the participants a broad introduction to laser cutting as a lab tool.

Place: Session A+B 11:00 at DD Lab – Schön 120. Participants should bring a laptop or iPad.

Introduction and Background
Laser cutting is the most used piece of digital fabrication in every Fablab. This is due to its precision, speed, moderate ease of use and versatility. The important role of laser cutting as a Fablab process is easily understood as the technology can be seen as a safe, fascinating and digitally controlled replacement or supplement to tools and processes already present in most school wood workshops. Consequently, many teachers starts out by using laser cutting, and projects made with the process, as an outset for incorporating Fablab technology in their courses. Mastering the laser cutter then becomes a stepping stones into more complex multidisciplinary projects.

The workshop facilitators have conducted numerous Fablab teaching workshops with more than 1600 students with students from 6-19 years. Laser cutting processes have been an integral part of all workshops and never failed to engage participants.

About the Workshop
This workshop is the place to start if laser cutting knowledge is desired. The workshop acts as a technology primer and is designed for classroom educators to become familiar with the tools and processes needed to produce objects with the laser cutter. The workshop will also include a basic theoretical introduction to laser cutting.

The intended audience is classroom educators. The participant gains hands-on experience with the process and tools and manufactures educational objects to keep.

The covered subjects are:

  • An introduction to laser cutting, its characteristics, potential, history, appropriate materials and industrial use
  • How to obtain or create 2D geometry. Internet sources, drawing and scanning
  • How to obtain or create 3D geometry. Internet sources, 3D scanning, CAD modelling, sculpting
  • How to transform from 3D to 2D by slicing, interlocking slices and box joints
  • Preparing geometry for cutting
  • Preparing geometry for engraving
  • Operating the laser cutter
  • Assembling the pieces.

About the Facilitators
Rasmus Simonsen is a material design teacher at the Strandsgårdsskolen in Ishøj. He received his degrees in teaching at Blaagaards seminarium. Rasmus Simonsen has considerable experience with Fablab processes in teaching contexts both as stand-alone tools and as part of complex technology projects e.g. active speakers, musical instruments, tools for screenprinting a.o. Rasmus Simonsen is commited to expanding the Fablab movement and part of a new Copenhagen-based Fablab initiative called Fablab Nordvest, opening this summer. Rasmus Simonsen acts as a teaching consultants in his own company Skolefablab.

Rasmus Grusgaard is trained as a mechanical engineer and has conducted studies at the Danish Schools of Architecture. His main areas of interest are: empowering kids to learn personal fabrication tools, stimulating entrepreneurship and creating the school of tomorrow. Rasmus Grusgaard led the development of the first Danish Fablab, Fablab Danmark in Næstved. Rasmus Grusgaard was project leader of the first Danish Fablab teaching project, the EU Social Foundation project ‘Fabschool’. Rasmus Grusgaard initiated and developed the ‘Mobile Fablab’ a library bus converted into a Fablab. Rasmus Grusgaard is also engaged in the Fablab Movement, among other initiatives Fablab Nordvest and the annual Fablab at the Roskilde Festival.

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