Week 1 - Journal
Ideation
Tell us about your assignment's idea for this week. Why do you care about this idea? What inspired you? (Please include images or links to sources of inspiration)
Laser Cutting Project
I am making a cat-shaped mug coaster. I like cats and i found an open source design that looks really cool. Check it from here.
3D printing
I am making dinosaur shaped earrings. I think it's interesting to wear something unique that you made yourself. I found these cool looking dinosaurs and i decided to take two of them to make my earrings.
Tool Chain
Which software/machines/materials did you use in the assignment? Why?
3D Printing
Softwares: Ultimaker Cura.
Machines: PRUSA i3 MK2 3D Printer.
Materials: Plastic.
Laser Cutting
Softwares: RD Works to prepare the deign and set the required cutting data like specifying the size, cutting and scanning regions.
Machines: El Malky ML1930 CO2 Laser Cutter.
Materials: 3mm wood.
Design/Preparation Process
Explain the design and/or preparation process of your assignment. How did you use the tool or software to design and/or prepare your assignment before fabrication/implementation?
Laser Cutting
I downloaded this open source file in CDR format.
I used Cloud Convert to convert it to RLD to be able to open it with RDworks.
I made some adjustments to the size, removed undesired parts, and modified others.
I changed the colours of certain lines to make the cutting and engravings I want.
I exported the file in rd format.
Parameters for each colour (Black: cut - speed 10 - power 60) (Blue: Scan - speed 100 - power 20) (Red: Scan - speed 350 - power 20)
3D printing
I opened a file in cura.
I imported the two desired objects.
I modified the size and placed them on the pad.
I edited the print settings.
I exported a gcode file.
Parameters (Dimensions: 60 x 80 x 3 mm) (Resolution: Draft - 0.2 mm) (Infill: 10%) (Printing temp: 215 degrees) (Bed temp: 60 degrees) (Time: 28 min) (Mass: 3g) (Colour: Grey)
Development/Implementation Process
Explain the development/implementation process of your assignment. How did you use the machine/tool to manufacture or implement the design of your assignment?
LaserCutting.mp4Laser Cutting
After exporting the rd file and transferring it to the machine via a flash memory, we copy the file to the machine.
Navigate to open the file from the machine's memory.
Set the origin of the machine to the desired position.
Scan to check if the space is enough to make the print then start printing.
3DPrinting.mp43D Printing
After exporting the gcode file and transferring it to the machine via an sd card, we navigate using the Control Knob to "Print from SD card".
We choose the file name then we start.
The machine starts the autocalibration the bed.
The bed starts to heat then the filament heats up as well.
Finally the machine starts the printing process buy building layers on top of each other.
Overcoming Challenges
What kinds of challenges or problems did you face while doing the assignment, tutorials, or exercises? How did you solve them? Did you ask for help from an instructor or peer? Please provide a link to the tutorial or article that you used to solve your problem (if any)
Assignment
Problem: the printed model was extremely small. I couldn't guess the size I want correctly. I sat the Dimensions to be (19.9 x 16.3 x 2 mm).
Solution: I resized it to be (60 x 80 x 3 mm).
Technical aid: lab specialist helped me set the correct dimensions.
Session Activity
Dinosaur print wasn't good some details got removed while removing the support. The support was required for the head.
Final Project
How can you use the skills and knowledge that you've acquired this week in your final project?
laser-cut robot arm example
First time to use the machines and do all file preparations on our own. I think it'll reflect on the work in all upcoming weeks including the final project.
Weekly Digest [OPTIONAL]
Tell us about any other cool things that you've made this week: in the Hands-on activity, tutorial examples, exercises, or any other cool mini-project that you tried out aside from the assignment.
Super Mario Keychain