Week 1 - Journal

Ideation

"The inspiration behind the design came from the fact that the slipper is considered a symbol of discipline in Egyptian culture, and it has always played a significant role in parenting across generations. Based on this, I decided to present the earring as a product for mothers because they are the queens of using the slipper, taking on the responsibility of raising their children. As for the idea of the rabbit keychain, it came from the famous song 'The Rabbit Said to His Mother, May I Go Play?', where the rabbit didn't listen to his mother's advice and ended up facing difficulties with the wolf. The keychain serves as a reminder to the mother, always reminding her that she is telling her children the story of the rabbit, and giving them an example of the importance of listening to their mother and staying close to her, just like the keychain stays close to her."

Egyptian slipper😂

Cute Bunny🐇

Tool Chain

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

LaserCAD: I used this software to create and design cuts using the laser cutter. The software provides precise control over shapes and sizes, ensuring that the designs are executed accurately according to the required specifications.

Ultimaker Cura: I used this software to prepare 3D models for printing, set the printing parameters, and generate the necessary G-code for the 3D printer. This software was important for fine-tuning the printing process and ensuring that it fits within the time constraints (under 90 minutes).

Machines Used:

Laser Cutter: I used the laser cutter to cut the slippers made from Plywood, ensuring high precision in the design. Wood was chosen because it is light and durable, and it can be precisely cut using the laser cutter. It also provides a natural and beautiful look.

3D Printer: I used the 3D printer to create the rabbit keychain. The 3D printer allowed me to produce accurate, small designs, perfect for intricate objects like keychains.

Materials Used:

Plywood: I used Plywood for the slippers, as it is lightweight and durable at the same time, making it ideal for this type of design. It also allows for precise cutting details with the laser cutter.

PLA Filament: I used PLA filament for 3D printing the rabbit keychain. PLA is a common 3D printing material known for being environmentally friendly and easy to print with, making it ideal for small, intricate objects.

Why These Were Chosen:

Laser Cutter and Plywood: The laser cutter was chosen for its ability to cut wood with high precision, and Plywood was selected because it is lightweight and durable, making it perfect for creating the slippers with fine details.

3D Printer and PLA: The 3D printer was chosen for its ability to create complex designs like the rabbit keychain. PLA is an excellent material for 3D printing due to its ease of use and eco-friendly properties.

These tools and materials were chosen for their ability to achieve precise designs and fast production, ensuring a high-quality final product.

Laser Cutting Machine

3D Printing Machine

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?

Slipper

Laser Cutting

Bunny

3 D Printing

Design Process:

Idea Development:
The design idea came from combining two elements: the traditional Egyptian Slipper and the image of the cute rabbit. The Slipper symbolizes punishment for Egyptian mothers, representing their role in enforcing discipline. I designed the Slipper to reflect this cultural symbolism and used it as a representation of the mother disciplining her children.

On the other hand, the rabbit represents the innocence and playfulness of children. The rabbit keychain was designed to remind the mother of her children and their connection to her. To increase efficiency, I used an open-source design for the rabbit, which was downloaded from an open-source library and modified to suit my use as a keychain.

Digital Design with LaserCAD:
For the Slipper, I created the final design using LaserCAD to fit the Plywood material chosen for the laser cutting machine. After defining the design and its size, I arranged the elements and set the cutting paths to minimize waste during the laser cutting process.
Preparing Files for 3D Printing:
For the rabbit, after downloading the open-source design, I exported it to Ultimaker Cura for preparation for 3D printing. I selected the appropriate settings for printing, such as layer height and supports, to ensure a precise and attractive final product.

Preparation Process:

Preparing Files for Laser Cutting:
After designing the Slipper using LaserCAD, I prepared the laser cutting file, considering the Plywood sheet dimensions to ensure compatibility with the final design. I checked the cutting paths and arranged the elements on the sheet to minimize waste. Black color was used for cutting with 60% power, and the entire design involved cutting only.

Preparing Files for 3D Printing (Rabbit):
After downloading and modifying the rabbit design, I exported it to Ultimaker Cura for preparation for 3D printing. I selected the appropriate printing settings, such as layer height and supports, to ensure that the rabbit would be suitable for printing as a small keychain. In Ultimaker Cura, I sliced the 3D model of the rabbit and created the necessary G-code for printing, with parametric infill of 10% and standard quality of 0.2 mm with support.

Exporting Files:
After modifying the designs in both programs, I exported the files to a flash drive. I saved the laser cutting file for the Plywood Slipper and the G-code for 3D printing the rabbit keychain.

Final Steps Before Fabrication:

Final Design Check:
Before starting the fabrication, I double-checked the design to ensure it was compatible with the materials and settings. I confirmed that the 3D print of the rabbit would not exceed the time limit and that the Slipper would fit the dimensions of the Plywood sheet.

Preparing for Fabrication:
Once I was sure everything was ready, I began the actual fabrication. The laser cutting machine was set up with the Plywood sheet, and the 3D printer was prepared to print the rabbit keychain.

file inspiration links:

for slipper

for bunny

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?

I used a 3D printing machine to print the rabbit design. Initially, the plastic material wasn’t sticking to the print bed. To resolve this, I applied adhesive tape to the bed, but the issue persisted as the material clumped at the machine’s nozzle and failed to extrude properly.

Later, the lab specialist adjusted the temperature and settings of the machine, which allowed it to work correctly. Eventually, the rabbit model was successfully printed with the desired shape.

I used a laser cutting machine to create the earring design. First, I transferred the file to the machine after adjusting all the necessary settings. The process was purely cutting. I placed the wooden sheet and used the 3mm sheet holder to ensure the sheet stayed in place without shifting during cutting.

Next, I adjusted the machine's head to the starting point where I wanted the cutting to begin. After closing the machine's cover, the cutting process started. During the first attempt, some parts burned or broke due to the weak quality of the wood material used.

To address this issue, I modified the design by increasing the thickness of the parts, which improved the durability and resulted in better final outcomes.

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 asked about the challenges I faced while preparing the files, and the trainers played a big role in overcoming the obstacles.

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?

During the first attempt in laser cutting, some parts burned or broke due to the weak quality of the wood material used.

To address this issue, I modified the design by increasing the thickness of the parts, which improved the durability and resulted in better final outcomes.

Later, the lab specialist adjusted the temperature and settings of the machine, which allowed it to work correctly. Eventually, the rabbit model was successfully printed with the desired shape.

Final Project

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

Title of Media

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 I've learned this week is how you creatively solved technical challenges in manufacturing, like tweaking laser cutting settings for precision and troubleshooting 3D printing issues. It shows adaptability and a hands-on approach to problem-solving, which is always inspiring.

Something unforgettable from this week would be the story of your persistence—despite initial setbacks with burning wood or clumping filament, you kept experimenting until you achieved your goals. It’s a great reminder of the value of resilience and iterative learning in design and production.

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.

I worked on a Christmas tree gift project made from sheet metal at the company where I work. The design consists of two pieces that fit together, half on half, with green, white, and gold electrostatic colors.

Assignment Design Files

slipper earings for laser cutting

Cute bunny for 3d printing

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