Week 1 - Journal

This week’s assignment was to Browse an open source CAD library and choose a 2d model for cutting with a laser cutter and a 3d model to print with a 3d printer.

I love Dr. Strange movies and I liked Dr. Strangs's ring which allows him to traverse between two-dimensional points anywhere on the planet. This ring inspired me to make it as a 3D model with 3d printing.

In laser cutting design I choose the knife because I love personalized weapons.

For the 3D Printing task I followed these steps:

1. I used Ultimate Cura software to check profile, infill & slice.

2. I used profile 0.3 Infill 20% / Slice47 minute.

3. I didn't use support & Adhesion.

4. Finally I saved the file in .gcode format to be ready for the machine.

For the laser cutting task I followed these steps:

1. Downloaded a car design .dxf file that I found to be nice.

2. Imported the file to the laser works.

3. Chose the shapes that I want to cut and the areas I want to engrave and assigned each of them to different layers.

4. Set the speed and power properties for each layer according to the machine's recommended settings with the wooden sheets.

5. Finally I saved the file in .rdl format to be ready for the machine.

*the cutting process/

1- I prepared the file in .rdl format before going to the lab and saved it to a portable disk.

2- The specialist at the lab revised the file before cutting it.

3- we put the sheet of wood on the laser cutting machine.

4-Before going to run the file I made a trace to the file to ensure everything was okay.

5-Finally, I ordered the machine to cut the file.

6-After the cutting I rolled over one part of the design to the next side to make engrave on it.

*The 3D printing process:

I prepared the file in .gcode format to be ready for the machine before going to the lab and saved it to a portable disk.

2- The specialist at the lab revised the file before printing it and informed me to edit the temperature to 215.

3-I exported the design to the memory card to move to action.

4-Finally I put the memory card in 3D printing and selected the design and gave the printing order to print.

1-I had a problem with Rdwork software. This problem was in every time I'm trying to open a dxf format in Rdwork wasn't open, I asked the instructor, Eng. Muhanad for help and he told me to make an import file first, and then it works.

2-When I imported The laser cutting design to the RDwork the dimensions changed and I had to edit the dimensions again before cutting the design and discovered that when I made a trace on the machine.

3-I had the challenge to make engraving to the same part but to another side and could do it through rolling over the part to the next side and made many of traces to ensure the engraving will be correct.

I have gained some knowledge that will help me in designing the parts I will need in my final project and Getting familiar with the machines to use in to implementation.

The activity was so cool it learn you how to think with your team besides it was so funny.

I worked with a team, we downloaded a laser cutting design and 3d printing design too, we prepared them and implemented them on the machines ourselves.