Embedded Files
Materials:
Plywood
Spray Paint (white & black
Masking Tape/Sheet
CNC Machine
Sand Paper/Sander
1/8" Acrylic (pink mirrored and clear)
Super Glue
Epilog Engraver
Clear Coat
Software:
Fusion 360
Adobe Illustrator
Brainstorming Doc:
Procedure: 2.5D Logo CNC Sign
Step 1) Find a logo or image that I like and import it into Adobe. I chose the Kansas City Chiefs logo after looking at a few other ideas.
Step 2) The next step is to make this logo into a sketch and turn it into a DXF file which will then be imported into Fusion 360 for the following steps. Using the image trace I got rid of the transparency squares of my sketch. I then got rid of the colors in my logo and outlined the shape of the image to become a DXF.
Step 3) Once the DXF is downloaded into Fusion 360, I created a new plane under my model. I created a sketch, measured the sketch, and got a precise piece of wood following those dimensions. I extruded the logo by -0.5 inches to make the logo 2D. Red appeared at the surface, and to get rid of this, I made an operation: new body.
Step 4) After framing the sign and extruding it, I went to manufacture and created a new setup and tool path. Then, set up a 2D pocket as the first path. Once completed, I create a 2D contour as the last path. To get these tools, I used the Dawson FS tools and used tools 6 and 8. After completing all the complicated steps that are in my brainstorming doc, I created an NC Program and sent it to the CNC machine.
Step 5) My next step before starting the CNC machine was to spray paint the wood black. Once dry, I applied a protective tape/sheet on the first layer of wood and prepared for cutting. This sheet is there for a protective layer during the cut process and also allows me to paint the under layer easier without messing up the black paint.
Step 6) When at the CNC machine, I checked all 6 steps to begin the process: fan is on, X, Y, and Z axes are all set, job is loaded, and plywood is glued on.
Step 7) When the sign has been cut out, I sanded the stringy wood pieces that occurred from the cutting from the machine. Then, I spray-painted the next layer of wood white. I made sure the sheet cover was still on the black painted wood so no mixing of colors happened.
Step 8) Using the epilogue engraver, and following the steps located on the makerspace resource page, I was able to cut out the acrylic letters and border for my sign with a pink mirrored acrylic and clear acrylic.
Step 9) Following this, I spray-painted the backside of the clear acrylic border. I painted the backside so when I flipped it over, there would be a glossy shine instead of a matte finish from the spray.
Step 10) The process is almost completed, I now need to glue on all the acrylic for the sign.
Step 11) Finally, I added any final touches (such as repainting the white on the sign because the wood may not have been fully covered when spray-painted previously). As well, a clear coat is added on top for a shine.
Final Product:
Discussion Questions:
1. In your own words describe the major steps to successfully design something in illustrator, use it to model in fusion, and use laser cutter after cutting on the CNC.
The major steps to successfully go from an Adobe Model to a 2.5D Logo CNC Sign are seen in the procedure above. The process starts with finding a logo from Google. Followed by making it a DXF, uploading it to Fusion 360, and extruding it to become 3D. Then a 2D Pocket and 2D Contour are created. Once sent to the CNC machine, the wood needs to be spray painted and cut. Using the Epiloug engraver, cut out the acrylic border and letters, glue them all on, add final touches, and the project should be completed.
2. What did you learn about the process of painting and masking?
I learned during the process of painting and masking that sometimes the spray paint won't cover every bit that you painted. This problem occurred to me in my lesson paragraph. One coat is not usually enough, and with little amount of time left, the process of continuously re-painting can take a while. The masking tape as a protective layer for the paint was a great addition to our project. It made painting way easier and ensured that colors wouldn't mix.
3. What part of CAD/CAM did you find most complicated or confusing?
When working with the CAD/CAM, remembering all the information for each step was complicated. I had to write quick notes that were confusing because they had not been written clearly since I had completed them in a short amount of time while watching the demos.
4. What lessons did you learn along the way about working through a multi step project?
The lessons I learned along the way set my project back a little bit. When creating the acrylic letters for the KC, I accidentally inverted the letters and they wouldn't fit on my sign. I had to learn how to revert the letters in Adobe and re-cut out the letters. My next problem occurred during my last class period when working on the project. My white spray paint did not apply correctly to my wood. I had to quickly re-paint my piece in under 20 minutes, and I hope it turns out alright. My last problem was the 2 little black chunks in my sign that the CNC tools couldn't get to. This was unfixable with the time I had left over.
5. What tools/software did you learn to use in order to create your piece?
The tools/software I had to learn to use in order to create my piece was mainly Fusion 360. Though we previously did a project on Fusion 360, there were many new steps that I had to learn to use. I only knew some of the basic steps because this semester was the first time I used the software. This project has helped me get a better understanding of the tools/software we used.
6. Why did you choose the sign that you did?
I chose the KC sign because my dad is a huge Cheifs fan. He is from Kansas City and I wanted to surprise
him with this sign of his favorite football team.
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