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)
A Key Chain and Mobile Holder at the same time
Sometime I want to watch a recipe on the mobile in the kitchen while making it. I thought this will be helpful as it is cute and small.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1587568
Coffee Coaster
I love coffee 😍☕, so I chose a coaster. Although it is a clock not a coaster but I liked the design.
https://3axis.co/coffee-clock-dxf-file/zo9y0e7k/
Tool Chain
Which software/machines/materials did you use in the assignment? Why?
Machines
Laser Cutter Machine
3D Printer
Software
LaserCad
For preparing the dxf file for the laser cutting machine
Ultimaker Cura 5.1.0
For slicing the 3D model
Materials
Filament
A Sheet of Wood
The design will be engraved on it.
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?
I opened the stl file in Cura program. I didn't change the orientation as most of the weight at the base of the model. I selected Support (touching buildplate) and I unchecked the Adhesion. Then, I sliced the model. The time is 23 mins and the weight is 5 grams.
I downloaded the file from 3axis website and I imported it to LaserCad program. Then, I scaled it to make it smaller. The square will be cut but the drawing itself will be engraved. The cut power is 75 and speed is 15. The engrave speed is 300.
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 Process
A Key Chain and Mobile Holder at the same time
First, I turned on the 3D printer , chose pla as the material used and preheated it. Second, I send my file to the SD card and inserted in the machine. Third, I unloaded the filament to change the color and loaded a blue one after cutting its edge. Forth, I waited till the machine get red of the previous color and cleared the color of the new filament. Fifth, I started printing from the SD card and chose my own file. The machine started heating the building bed and started the 3D building process. I was amazed at the final result. 😻
Laser Cutting Process
video-1658927809.mp4
Coffee Coaster
First, I downloaded the file from 3axis and imported it on LaserCad. Second, I tried to determine the power and speed of the cut parts as I had a problem with the interface. I send the file to my Flash USB and asked the Lab Specialist about the best speed and power for this machine. She advised me to maker my design smaller in order not to waste my sheet. Second, I turned on the Laser Cutter Machine and adjust its nozzle with focus point. Third, I downloaded my file which appeared on the machine screen. I clicked on Origin to decide the starting point, then I chose box to check the workspace on the sheet. Finally, I selected Start and watched the machine while cutting my coaster.
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)
The Challenges
The software of LaserCad program isn't compatible with my device. As a result is doesn't work properly.
I got confused between mm and cm while resizing my design.
I choose all the parts of my design to be cut. No engraving at all.
The Solutions
I informed the instructor and the Lab Specialist about the LaserCad issue. They did their best to help me but they couldn't figure it out. I got in contact with Mr. Ahmed Saeed and gave me a hand to solve it.
Amal, the Lab Specialist, advised me to check the size of my drawing and to choose another one.
The result of my design wasn't satisfying, so I made another one and used the lab PC for best results.
video-1658931121.mp4
2nd Design
1st Design
Final Project
How can you use the skills and knowledge that you've acquired this week in your final project?
For my final project, I should check the cut & engrave parts in my design more than once.
WOW!
What is the coolest thing that you've learned this week? What is something that you will never forget from this week?
The different degrees of speed and power that we adjust for engraving on a sheet of wood before using the laser cuter. It leads to various colours on the design.
Super Mario Key Chain
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.
I made a low-fidelity prototype mobile stand of cardboard. It was hands on activity in just 30 mins. I learned many construction and assembly techniques in this simple activity. I liked watching other peers' mobile stands on Slack and learned from them different techniques.
While working in pairs, we sliced and scaled a 3d dinosaur to make the process of the 3d printing 15 mins. We used the 3d printer for the 1st time without help from the instructor. First we preheated the 3d printer, choose the filament color and load it. Second, we started printing from the SD card. It was amazing watching the dinosaur while it was printed.