for this week the assignment was to acquire an STL file and a DXF file online on an open source community of makers. and proceed to prepare the files for digital fabrication in the Fab Lab headquarters using the laser cutter and 3d printer.
This assignment is important for me since it would be my first time preparing and digitally fabricate part all on my own. I'm excited to learn and see the skills i have acquired in the past 2 weeks come to use.
for 3d printing i chose a fridge magnet figure of iron man my favorite super hero and for laser cutting i chose a coaster that best demonstrates cut, speed cut and scan modes of the laser cutter.
the 3d printing file I found on Thingiverse and the laser cutting file I found on 3axis
below are the tools i have learned to use in the first week of the maker diploma. utilizing these tools i was able to finalize this week's assignment
Ultimaker Cura
Prusa i3 MK2
laser work
morn laser machine
as for the materials i used PLA plastic filament and 3 mm MDF board
PLA filament
3mm plywood board
screan shot of my file in laser works
for the laser cutting assignment i browesed 3axis.co and found a challenging design i liked that demonstrates all parameters of laser cutting and i set up the parameters as follows:
CUT (SPEED: 10) (POWER: 65)
SCAN (SPEED: 300) (POWER: 30)
SPEED CUT (SPEED: 300) (POWER: 20)
laser work simulation of my assignment pre fabrication
for the 3d priting assignment i browesed Thingiverse and found a challenging design i liked of my favorite super hero and i set up the parameters as follows:
importing the stl file after download
the file orientation was not correct and I had to use the (lay flat) button and encountered difficulties with the version of cura since It took several trials get it right flat on the bed
i had to scale using uniform scaling to meet the time requirements of 90 min
eventually i sliced and exported the Gcode using the following parameters:
profile 0.15(normal)
infill 10 %
support (touching build plate) (support angle 60)
build plate adhesion (brim)
nozzle temp (215) build plate temp (60)
the file was 8 grams and took 88 minutes to print.
screen shot of my file in cura
screen shot after slicing
after slicing i transfered the file into the sd card and used the matione as follow:
insert the sd card into the printer.
to the change the color of the part i unloaded the filament
used a flush trip pliers to cut the new color filament into a sharp end to go easily into the extruder
chose the load new filament from the printer
after the printer extruded all the old filament i was ready to start printing my part
chose print from SD card
the chose my files and started printing
video documentation of the 3d printing process and part post processing.
image of the final product after post processing and support clean up
after finalizing the preparation of the file in laser work i downloaded the file into the laser cut machine and follow the steps:
choose my file from the screen
adjust the focus
track the frame from the laser cutting job
make sure my frame is inside the sheet of wood
run the file.
image of the final product after post processing and support clean up
video documentation of the laser cutting process and part post processing.
image shows the difference in scanning outcome with masking tape (Right) and without masking tape (left)
the implementation process holds all the challenges for me i will list here my concerns below to get back to them once I implement the designs and reflect
For laser cutting I'm consirned about the finishing of the cut piece since the machine produces a lot of burn marks, I would like to add masking tape and compare the final product finish and cut depth and will it make a difference
For 3d printing I'm still learning about the safe overhangs and the one that must have supports, my piece has a lot of overhangs that I think don't need supports and some heatdefinetly requires support, I had to use the support blocker to eliminate none needed supports from my opinion and now I'm excited about the finished piece.
without support blocker
with support blocker
in my opinion laser cutting with various materials will help in the housing (construction components of my project and all flat fabricated materials and parts.
and 3d printing will help in the custom parts and mechanizems in my project and parts with bends and/or ergonomic shapes.
this week was my first time to personally operate a laser cutter and 3d printer and it was so fulfilling and rewarding to see the final product.
i made a cute little dino friend for my Duck
Week Wrap Up In Pictures
file preparation
after cutting and post processing
the printer working on the T-rex file
final printed file after cleaning the supports