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)
This week I was assigned to prepare design files and fabricate models of my choice using 3D Printing and Laser Cutting. So, I decided to take advantage and make useful and nice objects 🤭.
I started by browsing 3axis and thingiverse, Then For the 3D print I chose to fabricate a one hand book holder to be able to hold my books while reading. Specially, the new ones I buy. I don't like to push it hard to open the book neither using both of my hands. While for the laser cut, I chose to cut a nice Monstera leaf coaster for cups as I like trees and green views 🌲.
Book Holder
Laser Cut Monstera Leaf Coaster
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?
For Laser Cut:
Software: RDWorks
Material: 3mm wood sheets
Machine: El Malky ML149 CO2 Laser Cutter
For 3D Print:
Software: Ultimaker Cura
Material: PLA filament
Machine: Prusa MK3 3D Printer
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 parameters
After I chose the files from the open source libraries I downloaded the files in .STL for 3D printing and in .DXF for Laser Cutting.
3D printing files preparation:
I imported the STL file in Ultimate Cura .
I started to adjust the parameters.
with Resolution 0.2mm (layer height) and 20% infill density (inner content), I found that my design meet the constrains and the requirements without support and adhesion .
After slicing, the time turned out to be 30 minutes and 5g for the print.
I exported the design as g-code to with proper naming to be ready to transfer on SD card.
Laser Cutting preparation:
I imported the DXF file in RDWorks and then I found that it is very small.
I started to scale it up to be suitable as a coaster, so I first clicked on the lock and then typed 10cm in x direction and it automatically fitted in y direction.
As my design only needs cutting, I adjusted the parameters for the speed to be 40mm/s and for the power to be 45%.
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?
For 3D Printing:
After arriving to the lab, I opened the file again to review it with lab specialist and changed printer to Prusa MK3 instead of MK2.
I exported the g-code file again and then transferred it to the SD card.
I chose the blue filament and it was already fed into the machine, so I started by preheating the filament gun and the bed.
Then I inserted the SD card and chose Print from SD option and chose my file.
The machine started to move around the bed to calibrate dimensions, then it started printing and I watched the first 3-4 layers to detect any errors.
Preheating step
Preheating step
First 3-4 layers
First 3-4 layers
Final outcome
Final outcome
For Laser Cutting:
I opened my file on the lab PC to check the final dimensions, then I pressed Download to send it to the machine.
Using the machine interface I followed some steps to start cutting:
I pressed Esc button to exist from recent files.
Then I pressed File button to browse files and chose my file using arrows and Enter button.
After that I placed my wooden sheet with clamps and started to move the nozzle to the top-right corner.
I pressed Origin button to mark the position as initial and Frame button to preview my cut and make sure it is within the sheet limit.
Finally closed the machine doors and watched the magic happens!
Machine interface and buttons
Machine interface and buttons
During cut
During cut
Final outcome
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?
I asked for help for my Laser Cutting design. I was very confused which design to choose between three candidate files and after asking some peers I chose to cut the leaf coaster. But unfortunately, I found the file in .CDR format only (CorelDraw extension). Someone suggested that I can convert the file using an online converter from CDR to DXF and it worked !😄
These were the candidates to choose from:
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?
After Cutting the leaf coaster, I found that it wasn't cut properly and still connected to the sheet. So, after an advice from the fab lab specialist, I started the cutting process again after increasing the power a little bit and decreasing the speed a little bit.
The reason turned out to be that the focus of the nozzle wasn't adjusted properly, and this was a good lesson to learn to check these things and don't depend on people cutting before me 🙄🙃.
WhatsApp Video 2025-08-01 at 8.43.04 PM.mp4Second Cut
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?
What I learned this week is very critical. Knowing how to use the machines properly and how to fabricate designs will certainly help me while fabricating my final project. After knowing the process, doing so will no doubt be easier. Furthermore knowing how to use the software like Ultimate Cura and RDWorks to edit parameters and dimensions.
WOW!
WOW!
What is the coolest thing that you've learned this week? What is something that you will never forget from this week?
What is the coolest thing that you've learned this week? What is something that you will never forget from this week?
For the first time, I collaboratively made a t-rex and Dalmatian dog KeyChain key chain. It was a great experience to see what I worked on and touch it with my hands after making it
Weekly Digest [OPTIONAL]
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.
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.
Assignment Design Files
Assignment Design Files
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