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)

This week, we were supposed to learn how to search on the internet for design files with suitable extensions for the software tools we use. In addition to that, we had to learn how to operate the fabrication machines.

Cup Coaster Inspiration

The first thing that came up to my mind was that I want to implement something that I need to use daily. As a bookworm, I started to search for a design that will ease my reading experience and in fact, a book page holder seemed to be a good choice. And since there is nothing better than having a drink while reading, so a cup coaster as choice was a perfect match with the whole thing.

For the cup coaster, I was inspired by the flower shapes as I love flowers so much, thus I wanted it to have the shape of a sunflower which is a symbol of positivity and strength.

Cup Coaster Inspiration

Book Page Holder Inspiration

Regarding the book page holder, I just wanted it to be handy and that's all.

Tool Chain

Which software/machines/materials did you use in the assignment? Why?

We used 2 fabrication methods one was the 3D Printing and the other was the Laser Cutting

For 3D Printing

For Laser Cutting

3D Printer

Machine Type: Prusa i3 MK2S

Material: PLA

Software: Cura

Laser Cutter

Machine Type: Morn

Material: Plywood

Software: LaserWork

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?

In Laser Cutting:

Step 1

First, I downloaded the design I selected from one of the websites that has an open source designs ready for printing. The file has .CDR extension, so I used an online software to convert it from CDR to DXF extension.

Step 2

Then, using 'LaserWork' software I started to edit the design file to customize it with the size, cutting/engraving settings I want.

Step 3

After that, I have saved the file, where the software works as a go-between the designing files extensions and the files extension needed by the machine in order to be able to read it, which is the '.rdl' extension .

Step 4

Finally, after saving the file, there is an additional step were we can simulate what will happen inside the machine and the time it will take to finish.

In 3D Printing:

I did the same as in the laser cutting, I downloaded the design I selected from one of the websites that has an open source designs ready for printing with an extension '.sdl'

Step 1

Following this, I started to edit the design with the suitable settings according to my need.

I have set the 'Profile' to be 0.2

& the 'infill %' to be 20

I have set the temperature of the nozzle to be its default value suitable for this type of 3D printers, which is 215 C

After that, I sliced the design.

1

2

3

At last, the file is saved with an extension '.gcode'.

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?

Laser Cutting:

The Cup Coaster

The process stages are

Transferring the file from my laptop to the computer connected to the machine

2. Through LaserWork, sending the file to the machine

3. Selecting my file in the Laser Cutter machine

4. The Laser Cutter displays the time needed to finish cutting

5. Fixing the wood sheet on the bed of the laser cutter

6. After the shape is cut

7. Done

Final output before being painted

Are we going to leave it pale like this?

Let's add some life to it!

Spraying it with paint

While drying in the sun

Almost done

The final output after being painted.

3D Printing:

The steps are

Powering on the 3D printer

2. Inserting the SD Card that contains the 'gcode' file that I want to print

3. The 3D printer was starting to operate

4. From the info screen, I chose 'Print from SD'

5. From the 'Main', I selected my file according to its name

6. The 3D printer has just started working and building the 3D model

7. The 3D model while it was almost done

8. The book page holder is ready!

The final output.

Community of Learning

Did you ask for feedback? What are the ideas that others have contributed or suggested? What was someone else’s idea that you built upon? How did you help your peers? How did your peers help you?

Yeah sure, I have asked for a feedback about the idea at first, they all liked the concept of using this opportunity to implement something I need in my daily life. Also, I have talked with the girls that were in the same slot as me about the color of the cup coaster and either it will be good or not to paint it.

Overcoming Challenges

When you got stuck, what/who did you turn to? At what point did you have to pause to research or learn more before moving on? What are some mistakes, pitfalls, or challenges that others can avoid if they were doing this assignment?

When I got stuck, I turned to the instructors asking them why is there an error and how to solve it.

The mistake that anyone doing this assignment should avoid is going to the lab without reading the manuals, they are very clear, illustrative and on point and they will save a lot of time while working in the lab.

Another important note is, before using the 3D printer, make sure that there is a magnetic bed on the bed of the machine itself.

Magnetic Removable Bed for the 3D Printer

Final Project

How can you use the skills and knowledge that you've acquired this week in your final project?

Definitely while making the body (enclosure) of my final project I will need these digital fabrication tools. Knowing how to use both LaserWork and Cura really helped alot even in having more clear image about how the machines work.

Adding to that and the most important part is having the opportunity to run the machines by myself, this allowed me to be able to try and error and find out which parts exactly I need to learn about it more in order to master using the machines. And the cherry on top of this all is that I'm not going through the experience solely, am backed up with instructors that will give me help when I need it but without ruining one of the most important approaches in learning from my own point of view, which is 'Learning through Exploration'.

WOW!

What is the coolest thing that you've learned this week? What is something that you will never forget from this week?

I think the coolest thing I have learnt this week is that there is a magnetic bed that is put on the bed of the 3D printer, this removable bed helps in removing the printed objects without sticking.

Magnetic Removable Bed for the 3D Printer

Assignment Design Files

Laser Cutting:

Laser Cutter-Cup Coaster[CDR]

Laser Cutter-Cup Coaster [DXF]

Laser Work-Cup Coaster[rdl]

3D Printing:

3D Printer-Book Page Holder[.gcode]

3D Printer-Book Page Holder [.STL]