tools, equipment, processes

Question 1

die cutting

Answer 1

• wastage
• used to cut shapes out of and crease lines into paper and board
• used to produce nets of packaging
• can be manual machines or CAM machines
• die has sharp blades for cutting and round-edged blades for creasing
• die is mounted on a strong plywood base and pressed down onto the card, even force applied by pressure plates by pressing to ensure uniform cuts and creases
• can cut through many layers at once make lots quickly, and to a high standard due to high accuracy

Question 2

lamination

Answer 2

• addition
• used to protect paper and card from damage and wear
• commonly used for posters, menus
• more hygienic and water resistant
• laminating machine used to press a sheet of paper or card between a plastic sleeve
• heated rollers inside the machine press the sleeve and paper together and bond them with heat
• as paper is pulled between the rollers, the plastic film is sealed around it

Question 3

creasing

Answer 3

• deforming
• so card can be bent/folded in a precise way at a precise point

Question 4

guillotine use and safety concerns

Answer 4

• used to cut paper and thin card down into smaller and more manageable sized pieces
• cuts straight lines with accuracy
• ensure that all guide strips are in place so fingers cannot be placed in front of the rotating blade
• store away securely so that the cutter cannot fall on you and harm you
• do not overload the paper cutter with too much material so that the paper cutting wheel does not jam/stop suddenly

Question 5

describe how vacuum former is used

Answer 5

• Turn on heating elements
• mould put onto the machine bed
• Plastic sheet clamped into position above machine bed
• Heaters pulled over plastic sheet to soften it
• Raise table
• Turn on Vacuum
• air sucked out from under plastic, created a vacuum
• air pressure from outside mould forces plastic onto the mould
• Blow former to ease removal of
  workpiece
• Lower table once formed
• Remove former from workpiece

Question 6

laser cutter how is it used

Answer 6

• A Cad files eg DFX is sent from a PC to the laser cutter
• Put material into laser cutter to
  reference point
• Laser is focussed so you can minimise waste, cut accurately and tesselate many parts.
• Go into settings appropriate to material
• Lid closed and press start.

Question 7

laser cutter use

Answer 7

• machines that cut out designs drawn using CAD
• make accurate and fine cuts through paper and card
• use a very fine laser beam to burn away material
• used to make intricately detailed decorative work on birthday cards and lampshades e.g

Question 8

quality checks laser cutter

Answer 8

• check correct software installed
• laser lens clean to keep beam focused
• focus laser so beam is focused on surface of material
• check speed, power and PPI of laser to ensure lines is cut through or engraved