I removed the bioplasic sheets from the containers, and interestingly the top layer paper of the foam came off together with the bioplastic, thus giving it an interesting texture. Now I have an interesting composite material made out of bioplastic + paper (see photo)


I downloaded Rhino WIP for Mac and learned how to use Grasshopper.
First Oscar showed me the basic logic on how to make a point, then a line, then a triangle and the basic commands, then we moved on to Attractor Points, so I could create the design for the bioplastic skin of the mannequin.

It was my very first time using Grasshopper, and it was a bit challenging to understand the logic behind it, especially having worked with Rhino before, but then I got it and it's quite exciting, and I can't wait to learn more :)

I created a pattern with 2 attractor points and set up the second sheet of bioplastic in the laser cutter.

So the 2nd sheet of paper-bio plastic is the thicker one (about 1 mm), and we placed the following settings:

LASER CUT 1

Cut
Speed - 80 Power - 40

Engraving
Speed - 40 Power - 20

The result was that the elllipsis weren't cut at all, and at the corners, where the curve is tighter, they were not even engraved.

The engraving was subtle as well.

Overall the work lasted about 15 min.

LASER CUT 2

We changed the settings to:

Cut
Speed - 40 Power - 60

Engraving
Speed - 40 Power - 20

This time about 5% of the ellipsis were cut, and the border was cut in some parts.
Still not enough , but some progress.

We intentionally left the engraving at the same settings, because we wnated to make sure it wouldn't be to strong so as to cut through the material

The job lasted about 26 min total

LASER CUT 3

We changed the settings to:

Cut
Speed - 20 Power - 70

Engraving
Speed - 50 Power - 20

The job lasted about 35 min total

And it worked!

Tomorrow we will laser cut the 1st bio plastic sheet and shape it on the mannequin body.