Week 1 - Journal

Ideation

This week's focus was on learning how to independently search for files, whether for a 3D printer or a laser machine, and modify them to fit your needs. Additionally, it was about mastering the use of these machines so that you can effectively utilize them in your final project.

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)

Bitcoin

For this week assignment I prepared scratcher for 3D printing and Bitcoin for laser cutting.

For the 3D printing I chose the Keychain scratcher, I need it for my keys.

For the laser cut, I chose Bitcoin because I've always loved to know about it.

Tool Chain

Which software/machines/materials did you use in the assignment? Why?

For 3D printing

Thingiverse the used open source library for the design

Ultimaker Cura Software for slicing and preparing the file to be printed

3D Printer Ceality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer

PLA plastic filament

For Laser Cut

3axis.co the used open source library for the design

laser Cad for preparing the file for cutting

El Malky ML149 CO2 Laser Cutter

PLY wood 3mm

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 3D printing

First I used Thingiverse open to find open source design for Keychain.

After downloading the design as STL file format, I opened it in Cura software , choosed the machine and adjusted size and parameters to fit the target.

For the settings parameters, I consulted the settings provided by the design owner on the website, but I made some edits.

Believing the design needed support, I don't need to add support and adhesion. Additionally, I set the layering to 2 mm to reduce printing time and have reasonable finish.

checked slicing to see the time and no of grams used.

the final dimensions are : 36.022x 40x 4.9063 (100% scaling down of the original file.)

Finally, Saved the file in g- code format , with naming convention of the desgin name, needed time and grmas.

as a challenge: I kept accidentally changing the scaling while zooming in.

Now, I'm satisfied with the dimensions, although it fits just right.

For Laser Cut

I searched for a design on various open source websites, mainly 3axis.com.

I downloaded the file in DXF format and also tried downloading other formats and conversion.

Then, I added the design to Laserworks. I changed the dimensions and edited the middle section of the design.

Next, I moved the design closer to the origin. then I started by selecting lines based on the action they represented, then assigned speed and color to each selection.

I chose the following colors to represent each action:

Cut - Black
Engrave - Red

I set the cutting action as the last step to ensure it wouldn't affect the design, finally export the file in RLD format.

(The photos show the used power and speed for each action, note that we did a little changes in the lab) .

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?

For 3D Printing:

After saving the file as a g-code on the SD card, I inserted it into the machine and started the 3D printing process with a white PLA filament.
The machine started heating the bed to 220 C which is the standard heat required for printing with PLA.
When the job was done, I waited ten mins till the bed cool down to avoid any warping of the model.

For Laser-cutting:

After importing the DXF file to LaserCAD software, I had to adjust the right speed and power for each operation.
Before making sure that the laser focus (distance between the lenses and the material used) is correct I had to use masking tape to make sure that the material will not move during the vibration of the machine and that the sheet is completely flat on the bed.
I connected the laptop to the machine with a USB cable and downloaded the file.
After closing the bed cover I did the following:

Position the head in the right corner of my sheet and press on "origin"n, so I communicate the start point to the machine.
Select "frame" from the control panel to make sure that my design fits in the sheet area.
Click start and see my design coming to life.

Video

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 worked with every member of the team, and each person added valuable information.

I also gave a presentation on our project when we used the Laser Cutter to print a dog.

I asked for feedback from my peers, and they suggested several improvements, such as optimizing the design for better stability and using different materials for certain parts.

I helped my peers by sharing my knowledge of file preparation and machine usage, and they helped me by providing insights into design optimization and material selection.

This collaborative effort greatly enhanced our project and made the learning experience even more rewarding.

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?

Check fixed the part for wood sheet

Check Height for origin

Final Project

How can you use the skills and knowledge that you've acquired this week in your final project?

The skills and knowledge I have acquired this week are actually the basics of 3D printing and laser cutting

File preparation
Machine usage

After using the laser machine and the 3D printer myself, I gained new experience that will benefit me in the final project. I will use the laser machine to print the body of the project and the 3D printer to connect and make the parts that need details.

WOW!

What is the coolest thing that you've learned this week? What is something that you will never forget from this week?

The coolest thing was dealing with 3D printers and the Laser Cutting Machine.

I had never 3D printed anything before, and when I tried to do that at work, I failed and didn't even know the problem.

I don't like to fail at something and ignore it, so one of the reasons I entered the diploma in the first place was to learn about it.

Learning that was very cool, and I will never forget how I felt when Laser Cutter Machine Work.

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.

First hands-on exercise in the lab.

It was really cool to get your hands dirty and break this fear of dealing with the machine.

It was very good preparation for the assignment required this week.

Assignment Design Files

Bitcoin [.dxf]

Bitcoin [.rld]

Keychain [.stl]

Keychain [.gcode]

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