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 design a model of a pen and pencil holder. As it should contain at least 2 compartments on one base, with at least one of them closed with 4 faces, to hold different stationary items, I started to search online for some inspiration. I found a pretty good one with multiple compartments to hold all different types of items even sticky notes.
The design I chose to model
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 Designing:
Software: Fusion360
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?
big side panel
Extruding the panel
Applying appearance
Pen holder design:
I started to plan how I will make it, and after brainstorming I decided to make six sides 4 big and 2 small which al will be assembled using x-slot and t-slots for the outer four sides.
I followed the rule number 0 and saved the file, then rule number 1 and made a new component.
I started a sketch and using line tool I drew the sides of the panel.
After that I drew rectangles on both sides for the x-slot and inner rectangles directed to the bottom with half length and width .
I drew two rectangles for the t-slot and made 2 tabs with 3-point rectangles which are third the length of the bottom side (without x-slot rectangles)
I applied fillet on the corner in the top middle with 10mm .
I then finished the sketch and extruded the panel with 3mm and gave it appearance of wood.
At this point, it became a copy and paste process.
I duplicated this panel using Paste as I want two identical panels
In addition, I duplicated it again with Paste new to reverse the x-slot.
I made some a beautiful pattern on it and then edited extrude to be suitable for the new edits, and then guess what? I duplicated it again using copy and Paste. Now I have four panels.
I drew the small panel using the same method and used copy and Paste new to reverse the x-slot.
At the end, I started a sketch on the tabs, and drew a big square which is slightly bigger than the sides to avoid on edge compartments.
I projected all the tabs and squares (screw place), and I used 3-point circle to make the holes and used tangent to make it defined in the square.
I applied fillet on the corners with 4mm and then extrude and appearence.
Reversed big side panel
Reversed small side panel
Base of the pen holder
Small side panel
Assembling the model:
I started to assemble the sides by using joint feature.
I chose the x-slot region to be the joint.
Finally I jointed the base and made it fully assembled.
Adjusted two sides to be assembled properly
Joint place on x-slot
Fully assembled
Exporting the pen holder:
I used the extension DXF for Laser for Exporting.
I selected all the bodies and clicked ok to have .dxf file for all sides.
DXF for laser and choosing a body
Saving options with kerf 0.1mm
Pen holder preparation:
I imported the DXF file in RDWorks and tried to nest them to save my wood quota.
I needed to put some logos for Programming tools I use to make it more personal
I searched for these logo in .SVG and then I used online converter to make it in .DXF (CloudConverter)
I imported it and placed on panels with rotation and moving
As my design needed cutting, scanning and speed cut, I adjusted the parameters:
Cutting: I set speed to be 40mm/s and the power to be 55%.
Scanning: I set speed to be 300mm/s and the power to be 25%.
Speed Cut: I set speed to be 350mm/s and the power to be 15%.
I saved the file as .ai and took it to the Lab.
All panels after setting logos in RDWorks
Scanning parameters
Cutting parameters
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 Laser Cutting:
I opened my file on the lab PC to check the final dimensions, and I found that my sheet will not be enough.
So I removed one panel from those arranged horizontally and cut it alone on a new sheet.
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!
Panels after first round
Second sheet cut
All panels after cut
Connecting screws and nuts in t-slot
whatsapp-video-2025-08-12-at-114840-am_3gBoBUy8.mp4Time lapse for all sides of pen holder
Final result after connecting screws and nuts
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?
Title of Media
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 I started the cut, I found out that I didn't set the speed cut parameters and those lines I want to speed cut will be cut entierly. So, I told the fab lab specialist and she guided me to stop the machine and then select the lines to speed cut and set the parameters and I did that. The problem is that it will do all the engraving it made again, so the specialist told me to select those four images and give them any color and set the output to no. I saw the preview to make sure it will not but engraved again and it worked fine.
Stop moment
Speed cut parameters
I selected green color for logos which were engraved and out put is set to NO
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?
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?
Title of Media
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.
Title of Media
Assignment Design Files
Assignment Design Files
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