Inkscape

Inkscape is a design software where we can create vector graphics that we can then laser cut. Although we have worked with Inkscape in prior engineering classes, this year we will learn many new techniques and advance our skill set.

09-06-16:

Today we worked on our tabbed boxes. We followed the youtube video which took us step by step. I learned that the union tool and difference tool are different than grouping because grouping still keeps the objects as their own while the union tool will only cut them together. I finished my tabbed box, but I know I will need to redo the tabs because they were measured for a different material. On my next box I will change the tabs to .15 (the width of cardboard) and figure out how to use parametric design.

09-07-16:

I continued working on my tabbed box during today's class. Because the tabs were fit for cardboard in my original design, I had to change the dimensions of the tabs in a new design. I learned that the union tool won't work if the clones are linked, so you have to go to edit - clone - unlink clones. However, the drawback is that the clones won't work as clones. To solve this problem, I want to create a template of cloned tabs so that if need be, I can alter my design.

09-08-16:

In the beginning of class I finished up my new design with the right size tabs for cardboard. It wan't too hard as I am familiar with the steps to complete the box. When waiting to laser cut my box, I started to design a more advanced sticker in the Silhouette software. The picture below looks identical with the one I did on 09-06, but it's the slots are different.

09-09-16:

During today's class, I worked on Silhouette studios to design a more advance sticker while waiting for the laser cutter. There was only one because the big laser cutter is not working. I started by getting a screenshot of a monogram I designed on a monogram generator website, but when I uploaded it into the software it told me the resolution was low. So, instead I looked up a youtube video on how to design a monogram in Silhouette. I am not finished, but will work on it when I finish up my other projects.

09-12-16:

The big laser cutter was still not working, but we are moving on to 123D design at the same time we're working on laser cutting. 123D Design is a CAD software (Computer Aided Design software). Using Lynda.com and a video called "Up and Running with 123D Design". I learned how to navigate the object and screen by panning and orbiting, zooming, and changing the view to either "perspective" or "orthographic". Orthographic view doesn't show depth and allows you to judge relationships more accurately. Although one view might be better depending on the project, most of the time it's based on your preference.

09-13-16:

Today I finally got to laser cut my cardboard press-fit lego pieces using parametric design. I had my PDF of my inkscape file uploaded to my google drive. The settings I used to print was 10% speed, 100% power, and 50% frequency. There is a fine line between the speed and power because low speed and high power will cut better, but it may start burning the cardboard and cause a fire. My cardboard only caught on fire once. When the flame started, I stopped the laser cutter and waited for the fire to stop. Once it stopped, I opened the top and took the charred pieces out and started it again from where it left off. Luckily, the laser cutter finished the rest of my laser cut with no more fire. Here is what I put together with the lego building blocks:

Although I didn't really plan what I was going to build, it turned out looking like a robot!

09-14-16:

Today I had a catch up day on my digital portfolio. I have learned that it will be much easier to spend 10 minutes every day then spending a whole class on it. I had the intentions of laser cutting my box during today's class, but I got entangled with organizing my portfolio. I did accomplish uploading a google drive folder with my svg and pdf files onto this page.