Introduction

The Laser Absorbent Panel is a digital manufacturing solution to reduce the reverberation of a room. Absorbent panels are the first acoustic elements we introduce in a recording or control room.

Tools and Materials

‍

• Laser Cutting Machine: A laser cutting machine with a cutting area of 600x900 mm should work.
• 3mm MDF Boards: We recommend this wood type.
• Fabric Canvas: Any regular canvas should work, so you can get as creative as you want. Here's a useful trick if you can breathe through the fabric it works ;)
• White Glue: Simple old fashion white glue. 
• Scissors: Cutting fabrics requires extra sharpness, remember that :)
• Glue Gun: Any cheap glue gun is valid. It costs 10€ approx.
• 40mm Rockwool or fiberglass: Best results with among this range 40-70 Kg/m3 and 4cm thickness for this design. if you are in Europe you can also use a recycled fabric material called Geopannel which you can buy at Leroy Merlin all over Europe.
  

‍

Safety tips

• If you choose Rockwool as your absorbent material remember to where a mask and safety gloves. Rockwool is a very itchy and not healthy to bread around. Also is very important that the Laserpanel is well sealed
• It's a good idea to cover the table where you choose to work so it does not get stained with hot glue or white glue.

Step 1: Take the CAD to a local laser machine

Download this CAD v1.4.4 file and take it to a laser machine. You can find a local laser machine using the Fabhub site or the yellow pages. If you live next to a FabLab you can contact them to know when there is an open day.

‍

Test your dimensions & material specifications.  When we use .dxf files, not all software maintain original dimensions. When original dimensions have changed we need to rescale the .dxf file to the original size. We provide a diagram so you know you are on the right track.(Don't worry if you are not familiar with cad files, the person with the Laser Machine will know).

Step 2: Glue the frame pieces together

They are designed so they can not be mounted the wrong way. If they fit, you're doing great. We recommend that you fit the pieces together while pressing them horizontally in a table.. Repeated task

Before you start working group all frame pieces together. You will realize that half of them have engravings facing down and the other half facing up. Just make two groups and you are ready to go.

Don´t try to fit them with out glue, it´s quite hard to take them appart after they are joined together ;)

Step 3: Glue the fabric to the frames

Before we start we need to prepare fabric rectangles measuring 58x58cm. In order to glue the fabric to the frames we will use a hot glue gun. First start with one corner and tighten the fabric as you move onto the other 3 corners.

Make sure the engravings of the wood frame are facing down ;)

Finish sealing: Continue along the sides pulling the fabric towards you as you glue it.

Step 4: Attach the 'pestañitas' to the box pieces

Pestañitas are the small pieces which hold the box and the frames together. When attaching them with the box pieces you will feel and hear a click. If one breaks, don´t worry there are extra ones.

Step 4: Put the box pieces together

Glue one box at a time. This is important because the glue dries relatively fast. Remember you are gluing in two dimensions, all contact surfaces must have glue.

Stick the box pieces together.

Step 5: Join the bottom frame with the box

Glue the top edge for comfort. Remember all contact surfaces must have glue. 

Align the pieces and press with care.

Step 6: Insert the Rockwool into the box.

Start cutting Rockwool (or fiberglass) or Geopannel rectangles measuring 60x60cm and 4cm in thickness.

Then insert gently two rectangles of Rockwool (or fiberglass) into the box and remove the excess material.

‍

Step 7: Close the box.

Repeat step 5, make sure the rockwool is not too tight.

The finished Laser Panel

Now you should have your very first Laser Absorbent Panel in your hands. I hope it looks great, but don't worry if it's not perfect. You will do it better with the next ones now that you know the process.

‍

‍

This tutorial is still quite new. If you think something is not explained enough or you got stuck somewhere, we really wanna know. Please send us an email to hola@hertzlovers.com.

Any suggestions, any questions, anything... yes, we are at hola@hertzlovers.com.

Has it helped you? Did you build it? Would you improve something? Please don't be shy, we take feedback really really well :)

Thanks!

 Esta obra está bajo una Licencia Creative Commons Atribución 4.0 Internacional.

‍

Oh, and if you liked this tutorial, follow us for more!