Week 3 - 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)

The inspiration

The idea for this week’s assignment was to design a personalized pencil holder using Fusion 360 and fabricate it through laser cutting. I was inspired by this laser-cut wooden pencil holder design because of its functional yet stylish structure. This project allowed me to explore creative design while addressing the need for an organized workspace.

Here is the Link:https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fdesignbundles.net%2Fstlaserdesignart%2F2272920-laser-cut-wooden-pencil-holder-vector-files-for-la&sa=D

Tool Chain

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

Laser Cutting for Wooden Pencil Holder

Software Used: Fusion 360, RD Works
Machine Used: A laser cutter
Materials Used:
- 3mm Wooden Sheets
- M3 screw and nuts

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?

Base: I started my design drawing rectangle from the origin to be fully defined then start to create the holes and openings for the joints on one side and after defining I created a mirror then finish skitch and extrude 3mm. after that save as DXF.

Front face: I started with new component to create the front face and then I hided the Base, start with drawing rectangle from the origine to make it fully defined then I decided to create a design similar a little bit to the inspired one so I deleted one side and used blend curve to give that side wavy look and add 4 circles next to it, T-Slots (3mm*8mm) and the opening for the joints was 3mm*10mm. then extrude 3mm and save as DXF file.

Sides: I did one and then double it, also I started with new component and then rectangle from the origin made in order to be fully defined and then I added new 2 rectangle on a raw size (3mm*10mm) to the side and the base added one then I mirrored all, also I added T-Slot (3mm*5mm)-(8mm*3mm),then extrude and saved as DXF.

Seprator: I opened new component and draw a rectangle from the origin and add 1 rectangle to one side (3*10mm) and mirror it the finish the skitch extrude and saved as DXF.

Please press Here to enjoy the video.

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?

after finishing the design I transferred the design to be DXF file from the option save as DXF Here you go the files:

I downloaded all the files into RD works and then I changed all outlines to be in RED which means cut, adjust the speed into 40 and power into 45 then download it means the file moved to the laser cut machine and ready to cut, I turned on the laser cut machine and choose the file , add the wooden sheet into the machine and fixed using clips into the machine bed closing the door and open the vacuum, I adjusted the focus and origin before starting and frame to see where exactly the machine will cut then I presses Start.

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?

Title of Media

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?

the challenge for me was that I discovered that the dimensions between the opens and the edge has been shifted and not equal from the 2 edges, after that I started to create the design from scratch once again causing in delay my assignment, after that I discovered while I'm cutting using the laser cut that I didn't remove the contact lines between the joints which also lead to wrong cutting. I forget to check the focus so the machine speed cut instead of cutting the wooden sheet.

I learnt that I've to check my design first check all the dimensions to eliminate wasting time and materials. and also checking the focus.

Mistakes while fabrication

Final Project

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

My final project "pencil Holder"

The implementation process started by exporting the design parts from Fusion 360 in the correct formats: DXF for laser cutting and STL for 3D-printed brackets.

Laser Cutting: I imported the DXF files into RDWorks, set the power to 45 and speed to 40, and ensured the T-slots and compartments would cut precisely. A 3mm wooden sheet was secured on the laser cutting bed using clips, and the vacuum system was turned on. After confirming the origin and frame, the machine cut the design parts within 2 minute.

Assembly: All laser-cut parts were joined using T-slot joints, and M3 screws and nuts .The compartments aligned perfectly, and the final pencil holder was both sturdy and functional, demonstrating the successful integration of digital design and fabrication techniques.

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 learned this week was how to use T-slot joints in Fusion 360 to create a secure and precise assembly for the pencil holder. It was fascinating to see how digital designs can translate into perfectly fitting physical parts after laser cutting. and laso learning about different types of joints could be used in projects.

My Pencil Holder

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.