Zünd Tools

Tools

A list of the tools available with the Zünd machines, and their typical application.

A list of the tools and the typical materials and methods with which they are applied.

METHODS

• Registration
  • Registration uses camera recognition of material edges or printed features to orient the file to the stocks borders accurately. (Visually aligning a laser beam can also be used, rather than the camera.)
  • If using rectangular stock, draw the perimeter of the stock to register its edges (useful for multiple features cut from one piece of stock).
  • Points or the center of other small features can be used to tell the machine where to find 1/4″ diameter black dots printed on the media.
  • The X0, Y0 axes of the file can also be used to tell the machine where the right and front edges of the media are located.
  • When a layer with geometry is imported as a Register layer or another layer is converted to Register, the geometry will no longer be visible, but it will have maintained the distance of the other geometry to the edge of the material and registration border.
• Draw
  • Draw is an operation that uses a ball-point pen to plots curves.
  • Uses vectors (open and closed).
  • Can be used to create fills/hatches.
• Score
  • Score is a knife cut that goes partially into the material thickness (certain depth or percentage).
  • Uses vectors (open and closed).
• Cut
  • Cut is a knife cut operation that goes through the material thickness.
  • Uses vectors (open and closed).
• Crease
  • Crease is an operation that uses either a wheel or a round-end tool to press the material along a path.
  • Can be used to create folds or a decorative reverse embossing effect.
  • Uses vectors (open and closed).
• Kiss-Cut
  • Kiss-Cut is an operation that uses a spring-loaded knife and a shoe to limit depth of cut from top of material, to prevent cut from going through the material.
  • Can be used to create folds (thin material like bristol) or lightly mark the top (thicker material like 4 ply museum board).
  • Uses vectors (open and closed).
• V-Cut
  • V-Cut is a knife operation that uses the VCT only, with the blade cutting at an angle on both sides of the curve. Angle must be set physically on the tool, as well as specified in Cut Center applications.
  • Uses Vectors (open and closed).
• Bevel Cut
  • Bevel-Cut is a knife operation that uses the VCT only, with the blade cutting at an angle on one side of the curve. Side of curve is most easily specified when using closed curves. Angle must be set physically on the tool, as well as specified in Cut Center applications.
  • Uses Vectors (open and closed).
    • Open vectors require that the side of cut is verified visually in Cut Center.
• Engrave
  • Engrave is a router cut that goes partially into the material thickness (certain depth or percentage).
  • vectors (closed).
    • create separate layers for shapes where the tool should stay to the inside versus outside the closed curve.
  • open vectors will cut to with the tool following the curve as a centerline.
• Route
  • Route is a router cut that goes through the full material thickness.
  • vectors (closed).
    • create separate layers for shapes where the tool should stay to the inside versus outside the closed curve.

Zünd Cutter Hours

We have two Zünd Cutters available during Office Hours: one is for walk-up use (available for limited material types), the other can be reserved using the FabJob App.

Check the Calendar to determine when Technical Assistants are on-duty.

Need Help?

Contact a Zünd Cutter Technical Assistant by email at [email protected] or visit Gund L33 during the office hours listed on the Calendar.

Zünd Room Camera

View the Zund Room Camera, Gund L33

(Must be connected to the Harvard network by being on-campus, or connected via VPN to view remotely.)

Reserve the Zünd

Please use the FabJob App to reserve time on the Zünd.