Kerfmeter: Automatic Kerf Calibration for Laser Cutting
Kerfmeter is a hardware + software device that automatically determines how much material the laser cutter burns off, also known as kerf. Its knowledge about kerf allows Kerfmeter to make the joints of laser cut 3D models fit together with just the right tension, i.e., loose enough to allow for comfortable assembly, yet tight enough to hold parts together without glue—all this without user interaction. Kerfmeter attaches to the head of a laser cutter and works as follows: when users send a model to the laser cutter, Kerfmeter intercepts the job, injects a brief calibration routine that determines kerf, dilates the cutting plan according to this kerf, and then proceeds to fabricate the cutting plan. Kerfmeter makes it easy to sample repeatedly; we demonstrate how this allows boosting precision past any traditional kerf strip.
Publication
Shohei Katakura, Martin Taraz, Muhammad Abdullah, Paul Methfessel, Lukas Rambold, Robert Kovacs, and Patrick Baudisch
Kerfmeter: Automatic Kerf Calibration for Laser Cutting