Week 1 - Journal

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)

This week's assignment was Abooout...

..Selecting an open source pre-made STL file and preparing it for 3D printing with what we learned at Sessions

My phone is always lying down when I'm at work, and I keep picking it up to check for important work messages. Why all the hassle? I’ve decided to 3D print a keychain stand! It’s a handy little gadget I can carry with me on my keychain, saving me time and helping me stay focused. Plus, it’s going to look super cool!

Print it from here

...Annd choosing a DXF file to prepare it for laser cutting

I wanted to make a tool that I use frequently so I decided to look for a ruler, but not any ruler, I wanted it to be suuuper cool!

I got my eyes on this file that contain a cool ruler, and I decided I will got for it!

Get it from Here

Tool Chain

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

Softwares

LaserWork

LaserWork is used to prepare files for the laser cutting machine. It’s a straightforward program where we import the outline or vector we want to cut and specify a few settings:

- Cut: Defines the areas to be cut out and removed from the wood sheet.

- Speedcut: Used when creating an outline.

- Scan: Applied to achieve a burning effect or engraving on the wood.

Ultimaker Cura

I used Cura to prepare the STL file for printing. It lets me adjust everything about how my print will turn out, like the resolution, infill, support, adhesion, and all the other settings that affect the print quality.

Physical tools I used:

Malky ML149

3m wood sheets

PRUSA i3 MK2

PLA Filament (1.75mm)

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?

Laserwork:

I searched alot on 3axis till I found the design I liked, get it from here .

Then I had to change the format of the file from CDR to DFX using cloudconvert.com

then, in Laserworks, I imported the file then I made 3 layers. cut, speed cut and scan, and adjusted the values according to the technical specifications of the machine. the speed and power.

I selected the parts I want to cut and engrave or make and outline according to the values.

I used text tool to add two letters, A&M. and used the pen tool to draw heart shape and I duplicated it.

I checked the scale and placed the shape at the right corner to be ready to be imported to the machine.

Cura:

I searched a lot too on thingiverse till I found the design I liked, get it from here .

I imported the STL file inside Cura, checked the model. it was straight forward and easy.

I increased the infill so that the stand will be strong enough.

I modified the resolution to be .15mm and made the infill 10% so that the model can hold the phone well.

then I duplicated the model to print two of it, so I use one and gift one for my wife.

I check the scale of the model, and there was no need for any support, as the printing will use the concept of over hanging and I guess it won't need any other support. let's find out!

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?

Laser cutting

I used the laser cutting machine during this week to make the task, I I prepared the file on laser work on my laptop.

Then I put the file on flash drive and moved it to the machine pc, inverted the axe, and put the starting point( the green point) and downloaded the file to the machine.

I turned on the machine, turned on the ventilation fan, then I loaded the file, modified the starting point and tested the cutting zone.

I added the 3mm wood sheet and fixed it using wooden clips, and started cutting.

HnVideoEditor_2025_01_13_202205705.mp4

3D Printing

After I prepared the file, and sliced it, I changed the plate temperature in cura, according to the lab directions.

then I moved the file to the sd card to import it into the machine.

before that I had to unload the filment, and changed the color to the black, then I loaded another color using the unload feature in PRUSA.

I selected the file annnnnd paaw.. started printing!

I made sure that the filament wheel is not stuck during the print, and also I renamed the file to include the grams and printing time so that we be able to trouble shoot as the lab specialist told me.

HnVideoEditor_2025_01_13_190357636.mp4

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 my instructors about feedback on the 3d print, Suggested that I don't choose some complicated stuff to start with. and save the matrial for my graduation project.

During the team work at the class we prepared the doggy shape for laser cutting and shared ideas.

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?

I used a wrong format while operating on laser cutting machine. I used rd to import put I needed to use AI or plt. The file wasn't appearing at the machine pc, lab specialist helped me and I had to reexport the file format and import it again.

Final Project

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

It will help me fabricate and create the outer shape of the project I will make.

by making sort of boxes using laser cutting, or creating required shapes for the inner part of it using the 3d printer

WOW!

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

I loved seeing the laser machine operating, it was soo coooool.

Also I will share a secret! I loved the smell of burned wood 🤫🤫😬😬🤣

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.

Some images I generated using Ai for the Hands-on, Minds-on Activity this week:

I learned a lot of stuff during the self study videos, dealing with the laser cutting and 3d printer,, things I learned about the support

V- over hanging - little angle.
T- At some point over hanging won't work. we need support then.
H - bridge.. if the space isn't long we can print without support.
Y - Sometimes we need adhesion to staplize the shape more.
Learned about the Profile and infill.
we can change the support type to be touching buildplate

Assignment Design Files

Stand.stl

knife.dxf

Extra week events!

My potato I planted at home grow up <3 yaaaaaaaaaaay 🥔

I Ate from my lattice I planted for the first time ✨☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

I took more care of my hydroponic tower 💦

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