Laser-Cut Polygonal Sculptures

Craft & Design
Laser-Cut Polygonal Sculptures


Paul Kinsky of Worcester, MA, developed an algorithm that transforms 3D models into laser-cut pieces that can be assembled into a physical version of that model.

10 thoughts on “Laser-Cut Polygonal Sculptures

  1. Matthew Bennett says:

    You can also create polysculptures cheaply in paper with Pepakura and a CraftRobo.

    http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en/

  2. Roger Haley says:

    Fan-freaking-tastic. That is some next level stuff. Really, great work.

  3. Dethe Elza says:

    This is cool, any idea if he has documented the algorithm or plans to open-source the code? I’d love to have something like Pepakura that ran on my Mac.

  4. Paul Kinsky says:

    Thanks! I’m a junior at Worcester Polytechnic, and I’m making more of these for the rest of the term for one of my classes. Here’s a better version of the description:

    I take an OBJ file, which stores vertexes, faces, etc, and use that to build a set of faces and a set of pairs of connected faces. From this the algorithm generates a bunch of triangles(faces) and a bunch of angled connectors.

    These pieces are laser-cut out of acrylic – the eagle is from .060 inch acrylic and the dolphin is from acrylic that’s twice as thick. Then I slot them together, which, in theory, doesn’t require any tools except for glue. In practice, sometimes I get a measurement wrong and need to spend all night sanding the tabs to make them fit.

    Also, my personal favorite is the dolphin, because it’s my first closed model – the eagle is one sided, meant to be mounted on a board. The dolphin’s also cut from plastic twice as thick as the eagle. You can’t see in the photos but it’s much more sturdy.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/61463511@N08/5597628375/

  5. Laser Cutting Leather says:

    I have not much time, but I’ve got many useful things here, love it!

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

My interests include writing, electronics, RPGs, scifi, hackers & hackerspaces, 3D printing, building sets & toys. @johnbaichtal nerdage.net

View more articles by John Baichtal

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK