Table of Contents

Project Files

1. Safety First: Ensure workspace is free of fire, electrical and other safety hazards. Be aware of all safety issues when cutting materials with a laser. Always have a fire extinguisher on hand

2. Power on the laser and all of its components.

3. Ensure that:
   - The laser is powered and the boot up cycle begins on the screen.
   - The cooling system is connected properly and water is flowing through the tube.
   - The air compressor is powered and exhausting air to the laser head.
   - The exhaust system is on and vented into a safe location.

4. Connect to RetinaEngrave 2.0 software using your machine’s touch screen to copy the software IP address into your favorite browser. The Wired IP address is displayed at the bottom of your touch screen.

5. Import your design and adjust power and speed settings. Double check settings including the number of passes and cut order.

6. Insert material into the laser bed. Use the focus tool to adjust to the top of the material. Focusing should be done each time a new material is introduced.

7. Use the “Perimeter” function to ensure that the file will fit within the cutting area. Adjust accordingly.

8. Run the job file. Do not leave a job running unattended.

CUT

Import the included files and cut all the pieces from their respective materials.

Assembly

1. First, you will want to paint the material you will be cutting with the main color (we used black, since it is a penguin).

2. Then you will want to apply masking tape across the main painted color. Once the tape is applied, it is ready to cut.

3. At this point, you have your piece cut out. You can flip it over and paint the back side black.

4. After the backside has been painted, you can begin to peel away the masking tape where you will be adding the alternate colors to the front section.

5. We decided to go with blue eyes and a white belly that transitioned into yellow. 

6. Once dry, you will want to peel the rest of the masking tape to reveal your paint job.

7. If you choose to paint the feet, glue one on top the the other after the paint has dried.

8. Then you will cut your hair tie and string it through your bow tie.

9. Then string the hair tie through the two holes on the penguin and tie it on the other end. Also seen on the next Slide..

10. Finally, you will bring the main body of the penguin together with your choice of bottle and slide the feet into the bottom notches. Then complete the look and hold by stretching and notching the bowtie. 

11. Well Done!

Difficulty: ★★☆

Minimum Requirements: 40W

Raw Materials: 1/4" Wood, Lightbulb, Light Socket

Optional: Wood Stain, Paint

Estimated Laser Time: 47 Min (90W)

1. Safety First: Ensure workspace is free of fire, electrical and other safety hazards. Be aware of all safety issues when cutting materials with a laser. Always have a fire extinguisher on hand

2. Power on the laser and all of its components.

3. Ensure that:
   - The laser is powered and the boot up cycle begins on the screen.
   - The cooling system is connected properly and water is flowing through the tube.
   - The air compressor is powered and exhausting air to the laser head.
   - The exhaust system is on and vented into a safe location.

4. Connect to RetinaEngrave 2.0 software using your machine’s touch screen to copy the software IP address into your favorite browser. The Wired IP address is displayed at the bottom of your touch screen.

5. Import your design and adjust power and speed settings. Double check settings including the number of passes and cut order.

6. Insert material into the laser bed. Use the focus tool to adjust to the top of the material. Focusing should be done each time a new material is introduced.

7. Use the “Perimeter” function to ensure that the file will fit within the cutting area. Adjust accordingly.

8. Run the job file. Do not leave a job running unattended.

CUT

Import the included files and cut all the pieces from their respective materials.

Assembly

1. First, you will want to connect the slotted circle piece to the main body. The easiest way to achieve this is to find the correct notch and insert the slotted circle piece at a slight angle before coming together with the center notch.

2. Then you will want to assemble the head of the spider

3. At this point, you can add the top slotted circle to the main rib of the abdomen.

4. From this point, you can continue to add the rest of the rib sections until the abdomen/ where the bulb will stay, is complete.

5. Once the abdomen is complete, you can move on to the legs. The two larger legs will notch on the bottom plate and be the back legs, while the other legs can go in any of the notches on the bottom plate of the body.

6. Then you will want to glue the circle piece with the 4 rectangles cut out of it to the light socket.

7. After that you will want to screw your bulb into the socket itself ( *note* make sure that your bulb is no bigger than 2 inches wide) this fixture was designed to use a bulb that is smaller than standard. Finally, you will want to take the four U-shaped tabs and slot and slide them through. These will hold the socket in place on the abdomen of the spider.

8. You can add paint, and either set it on a flat surface or hang it from the cord!

9. Well Done!

MASKING

Before cutting, paint your wood the desired color.  This will be the main color of the butterfly.  When dry, add a layer masking tape over the painted wood. 

CUT

Import the included designs as vector only, and cut out all the pieces. Cut the Frame file from wood making sure to mark all blue vectors, and completely cut all red vectors. Cut the Fabric file out of your decoritive fabric.

You should have 4 Wood butterfly frames, A circular base, 2 semi circles, and 4 Fabric liners.

COLOR

If you choose to paint or stain your pieces, it is preferable to do so before assembly. The outwardly visible pieces include: the Main Body pieces (MB1, MB2, MB3, MB4, MB5), the lid (L5), the Decorative Heart (H1), the hinge hearts (H2), and the key (K1). Adding a finish to the mechanism pieces is not recommended as the added thickness and texture may interfere with the movement capabilities.

ASSEMBLY

1. To assemble the locking mechanism, add glue to the two small disks (D1) and place them within the marked guides on L1.  Add glue to the bottom of L2, and position this on top of L1. Set this aside to dry. See next slide..

2. To assemble the body, lie pieces MB1, MB2, MB3, and MB4 in order and faced down. This order is important because sides MB2 and MB4 have guidelines marked for the hinges. These marks should be on either side of piece MB3.

3. Add glue to the tabs of each piece and assemble the 4 walls. Utilize the flat top of the box to balance the assembled pieces. Place MB5 face down and add glue to each tab. Add this piece to the box. Set aside to dry. As shown in next slide..

4. Once the assembly on the lid mechanism has dried, place gears G1 and G2 on the disks. These gears should NOT be glued and should move freely. As shown in next slide..

5. Add glue to top of D2, being careful not to place glue within the inside of the marked center circle. Position this disk on top of G1 so that the placement lines up with the marked guidelines.

6. Add glue to the top of L2 and position L3 on top of it.

7. Next, add glue to the top of L3, and position L4 on the assembly. 

8. Add glue to the top of L4 and position L5 on top so that the keyhole is straight and aligned within the opening. Set this aside to dry.

9. When the body is dry, add glue to the inside of the guideline on one of the side body pieces and position a heart (H2) so that the hole is facing outwards. Allow this to completely dry.

10. When the lid is dry, slide the tab of the lid into the opening of the glued heart (H2). Lock the lid by using the key, and add glue to the second hinge placement location.

11. Add the second hinge heart and allow this to completely dry.

12. Finish by adding glue to the decorative heart. (H1) and aligning it with the keyhole.

13. Be aware that when gluing this, the lock should be set vertically, as you’ll be unable to place the key into the box while it is unlocked.

14. Well Done!

Cut

Import the included files and cut all the pieces from their respective materials. 

Color

If you choose to stain or paint your pieces, it's preferable to do so before assembly.

Assembly

Undercarriage Assembly

1. Lay main body face down. Insert triangle pieces into the notches at the midsection of the body. The point of these triangles should be pointed torwards the tail. As shown in next slide..

2. They should fit losely as they will be tilted inwards later. If you choose to add glue, test assemble the piece first, then come back as you will have to work quickly.

3. Insert one of the side panels into the notches above the triangles. The flat side should line up with the flat edge of the triangle. Slide the two central rib pieces into the notches of the side panel as Seen in next slide..

4. Insert the handled rib piece into the front of the body. This should be place at the rounded end of the side panel. Place the second side panel over these shapes. As shown in next slide..

5. Secure these pieces by adding the cross beams under the side panel notches.  Place the hourglass shaped beam at the front of the model. Follow this by adding the straight beam, then the V shaped beam. As shown in next slide..

6. Add the vertical cross bar along all of these sections to secure this assembly. Add glue to secure these notches. 

 Wings and Tail Assembly

1. Flip the whole project over and align the main wing pieces with the notches. As shown in next slide..

2. Secure the wings by inserting the wing pin. 

3. Add glue to the wing frame to attach the wing fabric.  Glue the wing spines on top of each wing. As shown in next slide..

4. Glue the fabric and spine sections to the tail section of the body. As shown in next slide..

5. Glue the tail fin fabric to one of the tail fin spine sectons.  Add the second panel on the other side. As shown in next slide..

6. Lastly, insert this fin into the notches on the body.

7. Well Done!