Embedded Files
Ideation
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)
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)
Laser Cutting - Monstera Leaf Coaster
Laser Cutting - Monstera Leaf Coaster
I wanted my first laser cut design to be something functional, and I noticed that I do not have a coaster in my room
Inspired by my love for plants and nature, I decided to look for a plant/flower design that could work as a coaster
Found on 3axis.co
3D Printing - Bunny Keychain / Phone Stand
3D Printing - Bunny Keychain / Phone Stand
I was inspired by wanting to create something both cute and functional
Found on Thingiverse
Loved the playful design and the practical added use
Tool Chain
Tool Chain
Which software/machines/materials did you use in the assignment? Why?
Which software/machines/materials did you use in the assignment? Why?
Softwares:
Ultimaker Cura: slicing STL for 3D printing
RD Works: preparing DXF for laser cutting
Machines:
3D Printer: PRUSA i3 MK2 3D Printer
Laser Cutter: El Malky ML149 CO2
Materials:
PLA filament (blue) for 3D printing
3mm plywood for laser cutting
Websites:
Thingiverse: STL for bunny
3axis.co: DXF for coaster
Design/Preparation Process
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?
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?
3D Printing -
3D Printing -
Bunny Keychain / Phone Stand
Bunny Keychain / Phone Stand
Downloading the file:
Browsed Thingiverse for open-source STL files.
Selected a bunny keychain design that also functions as a phone stand
Downloaded it in .STL format.
Importing into Ultimaker Cura:
Opened Ultimaker Cura.
Imported the STL file into the workspace.
Checked that it is placed in the correct upright position in the workspace
Checked the default size and estimated print time (initially over 100 mins).
Adjusting parameters:
Adjusted parameters to fit the 90 minute limit on printing.
Parameters:
Resolution: Normal - 0.15mm
Infill Density: 20%
Infill Pattern: Grid
Support: off
Adhesion: on
4. Exporting files:
Double checked that the correct printer and material is selected on Cura and clicked "save to disk" for g.code file.
Saved to SD card
Laser Cutting -
Laser Cutting -
Monstera Leaf Coaster
Monstera Leaf Coaster
Downloading the file:
Browsed 3axis.co for open-source 2D designs.
Downloaded the design in .DXF format.
Importing into RD Works:
Opened the Laser Cutter software (e.g. RDWorks).
Imported the DXF file into the workspace.
Resizing & scaling:
Original design had two parts, as it is intended to be a propagation station for plants, so I deleted the extra parts and was left with just the leaf.
Original design was too small
Resized the design to approximately 80 mm width to fit standard coaster size.
Ensured the scale maintained the original proportions, so I scaled by 1000%
Setting cutting and scanning parameters:
Assigned different layers:
Cutting layer: for the outline of the leaf (black/grey line).
Scanning layer: for the inner shapes (red line).
Adjusted power and speed settings based on 3 mm plywood:
Cutting: Power 45% - Speed 40 mm/s
Engraving: Power 20% | Speed 300 mm/s
Preview & downloading to laser cutter:
Ran a preview to ensure all lines were assigned correctly.
Clicked "download" to send file to laser cutter and named my file "MONSTERA"
Before and after adjusting scale
Setting cutting and scanning parameters
Downloading file to laser cutter
Development/Implementation Process
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?
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 - Bunny Keychain / Phone Stand
3D Printing - Bunny Keychain / Phone Stand
Preparing the 3D Printer:
Inserted the blue PLA filament into the filament holder and fed it into the extruder
Waited for the machine to heat up then calibrate
Waited for the filament to fully extrude the colour cleanly through the nozzle before starting
Starting the Print:
Inserted SD card into the printer
Selected the correct .gcode file prepared in Cura
Started the print and observed the first few layers closely to confirm proper adhesion and printing
Post-Processing:
Waited for the bed to cool before removing the model
Peeled off the brim
Checked it functioned properly as both a keychain and a phone stand
Finished product before removing from bed
Final outcome
IMG_4193.MOV3D printer calibrating
IMG_4194.MOVPrinting brim and first layers
Testing the functionality
Laser Cutting - Monstera Leaf Coaster
Laser Cutting - Monstera Leaf Coaster
Placed and fixed 3mm plywood on bed.
Selected my file by pressing “File” button on machine and ensured my parameters are correct
Set the correct laser height to ensure it is in focus
Moved lens to top corner of plywood
Pressed “origin” to set start point
Pressed “frame” to check cut fits within sheet limits
Closed door and started machine
Removed coaster after cut, confirmed proper size and clean cut
Checking file parameters
IMG_4203.MOVCutting process
Placing and fixing sheet
Adjusting focus
Final outcome
Community of Learning
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?
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?
Before 3D printing and laser cutting, I asked for feedback from the lab specialist to double check that my files will be processed by the machines properly.
Overcoming Challenges
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 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?
While laser cutting, I got stuck during the framing step. The frame outline was extremely small, and I couldn’t figure out why. I asked the lab specialist for help, and they quickly spotted the issue: my file had been scaled down unintentionally and was only 2 mm wide. The machine was reading it exactly as uploaded, which explained the tiny frame.
I paused to scale the design up to the correct coaster size before restarting the process. This taught me to always double-check file dimensions before sending them to the machine.
Tip for others: Before starting a cut, confirm your design scale in the laser cutter software and run the frame preview. This can save time, material, and prevent mistakes
Final Project
Final Project
How can you use the skills and knowledge that you've acquired this week in your final project?
How can you use the skills and knowledge that you've acquired this week in your final project?
I learned how to operate the 3D printer and laser cutter, and learned about the file preparation process.
Assignment Design Files
Assignment Design Files
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