Week 01 - Journal
Ideation
Almost all of us loves cartoon and cute tiny things. Therefore, I would love to spread some fun and nostalgia through little cute characters to be printed using a 3D printer and laser cutter.
Pikachu
3D printer inspirationI was searching for something fun and related to a cartoon show and found this lovely Pikachu. 
Peppa Pig
Laser cutting inspirationI was searching for something fun and related to a cartoon show and came up with this cute show. Tool Chain
For 3D printing: I used the Thingiverse website to find the STL files, then imported them into Cura software in order to adjust the settings and create Gcode. That is transferred to an SD card and then attached to the machine Prusai3 Mk2 to print the object. The material used in this case is PLA.
For Laser Cutting: I used the 3axis.co website to find a DXF file, then imported it to LaserWork in order to create the RLD file that is then downloaded into the laser cutting machine that is Morn MT3050D CO2 in this case. The material used in this case is 3mm Plywood.
3D Printing
Cura Software
Laser Cutting
LaserWork Software
Prusai3 Mk2 3D Printing
Morn MT3050D CO2 Laser Cutter
PLA Material
3mm Plywood Material
Design/Preparation Process
Lets discuss the process of 3D Printer and Laser Cutting
3D Printing Process
1- The model has been chosen from the Thingiverse Website and downloaded as STL file.
2- The STL file has been imported into Cura software
3- The parameters of the printing are adjusted to Resolution of 0.15 mm, infill 20%, and adhesive. The model is scaled down as well to ensure that the printing time don't exceed the 90 mins
4- The model is sliced into 380 layers, and sizing of about 3*4.5*5.5 cm. It would take 79 mins to be done and 9 grams of the PLA material.
Laser Cutting Process
1- The model has been chosen from the 3axis.co Website and downloaded as DXF file.
2- The DXF file has been imported into LaserWork software
3- The layers are created to create the proposed appearance of the peppa pig key chain.
4- The adjusted layers for cut and scan to show the speed and power for each layer.
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?
3D Printing
In order to print the model, I went to the lab and the lab specialist welcomed me and my colleague. Then the steps went as follow:
1- the fab lab specialist checked the sliced object, and he made sure that I chose the right version of the printer.
2- we discussed if I wanted to support it or not. Which ended with no support.
3- He told me to make sure that the file temperature file is 215 degrees to suit the PLA material.
4- Then I copied the gcode file into the printer SD card after renaming it with the grams, mins, filling, color, and layer depth.
5- I wanted to make the 3d printed object to be yellow, so the fab lab specialist helped me to change the PLA roll.
6- I started to print by cleaning the bed, and then chose the file and begin to print.
7- The printed Pikachu was 9 grams in yellow color and 79 mins.
8- finally its tail has small bubbles which means that the overhang wasn't enough for support.
Laser Cutting
In order to print the key chain, I went to the lab and the lab specialist welcomed me and my colleague. Then the steps went as follow:
1- the fab lab specialist checked the file layers, and he changed the power of the cut to be maximum of 70 instead of 65.
2- I sent the file to the printer, and the fab specialist helped me to adjust the focus of the nozzle by moving the bed up and down.
3- He told me how to adjust the horizontality of the sheets by the focusing dots.
4- Then I set the origin point and make a track frame and time estimation of the object.
5- Then, I chose the file and let the Laser cutting begin printing.
6- The printed Peppa pig key chain took almost 5 mins to be printed.
7- Finally, I turned the machine off.
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.
A problem that faced me in laser cutting was how the laser cutting machine determines the engraving areas. Which was solved smoothly with help from Amany that told me to check the preview tab and explained the concept.
I had a question about the laser cutting itself, How it calculate the power coming from the nozzle as it begins with the layer with less power then the more power full until it reaches the cut layer. How it produces the difference in power by moving on it gain without over engraving it.
Another problem faced me with my first chosen 3d printed object that was stitch. That is face was very rounded with long ears that needs support, But the other body parts don't need them. So, it was difficult to choose that you only need support in one place.
Final Project
How can you use the skills and knowledge that you've acquired this week in your final project?
They were eye-opening exercises to the potential of the 3d printing and laser cutting in facilitating the prototyping phase in the final project process.
WOW!
What is the coolest thing that you've learned this week? What is something that you will never forget from this week?
I can't forget about my first laser cut super Mario or the T-rex.
