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)
the idea of this week's assignment is to choose both 3D & 2D models from an open-source library in order to print the 3D model and cut the 2D model by the Laser Cutter, so we can get more familiar with the machines.
Mobile holder
For the 3D model, I chose a mobile holder because I need one that is portable and easy to carry, I also like turtles! Although this is technically a tortoise :D I found this cool design on thingiverse!
Snowflake❄
For the 2D model, I thought about cutting a nice coaster that represents something I love but we had to choose a design and download it in a DXF format, and most of the designs I liked for the coaster weren't really in this format, but I found this snowflake which represents everything I love about Winter! Plus I was curious about how we can use a single design for different purposes.
Tool Chain
Which software/machines/materials did you use in the assignment? Why?
MK2 3D Printer
material: PLA
Software: Ultimaker Cura
MT3050D CO2 Laser cutting machine.
Material: 3mm 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?
For the snowflake:
-Firstly, I imported the file to LaserWork.
-Secondly, I selected the pattern in the middle (the little Vs) to scan to make sure I can set the speed and the power correctly instead of only having the cutting option in the design.
-Finally, I saved the file in RLD extension to be ready for cutting.
For the phone holder:
-Firstly, I imported the file to Ultimaker Cura.
-Printing settings:
Infill: 20%
Layer height: 0.20mm
No support.
No Adhesion.
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?
3D printing:
-First we cleaned the printer with Alcohol so we make sure that there is no other material from previously printed objects stuck on the bed.
-Then I uploaded the gcode file on the SD card and insert it into the printer.
-After the 3Dprinter read the file, I chose my file to get printed.
-Before starting to print, the machine heated the bed and nozzle first and then it started printing.
Laser Cutting:
-First I loaded the RLD file to the machine.
-I set the cutting speed to 15 and the power to 75.
-And the scan power to 30 and the speed to 300.
-Then I moved to the machine, chose my file checked the frame of the cutting and made sure that the origin point is set properly.
-After everything was set I started cutting.
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?
I show 3 models I picked to my instructor Eng. Amany before choosing one to print. I wasn't sure what design could fit the constraints and also doesn't lose its functionality. She eliminated the other two models and assured me that this model will function properly. And suggested printing two of the same model just to make sure, I was going for it but I lost my slot for printing in 90 minutes so I just took the shot with printing it only once and it worked fine.
I also asked about the dimensions of the snowflake would it work as a coaster? And the Mr. Amr told me that 10x10 cm is good enough.
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?
I forgot how to save the file in RLD, set the values of power and speed for the scanned part so I returned to the tutorials and rechecked the values.
Final Project
How can you use the skills and knowledge that you've acquired this week in your final project?
Getting to know how the machines work, what are the basic steps for digital fabrication, and how to prepare the files to be printed will be a great help to implement the final project.
WOW!
What is the coolest thing that you've learned this week? What is something that you will never forget from this week?
I'm not going to forget printing the smallest and cutest T-Rex in the group! ❤😂
IMG_8698.MOVI also enjoyed watching the laser cutting machine working, especially the cutting part when the laser is very strong and pretty clear to see!
It was also cool learning about the different ranges for the power and how it affected the final result for the scanned part.
Weekly Digest [OPTIONAL]
Tell us about any other cool things that you've made this week: in the Hands-on activity, tutorial examples, exercises, or any other cool mini-project that you tried out aside from the assignment.
Title of Media