1^st Week - 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)

First documenting ever! I hope you enjoy my documentation :)

This week we had to choose two models, one to print by 3D printer and the other to cut using laser cutter machine. Let's see the models I chose.

Laser Cutting Idea

Here comes the earrings!

I thought of making something that is simple and doesn't consume too much material and time since it's the first time to deal with a laser cutting machine so I chose these adorable earrings!

I used 3axis.co to download this model

(click on the picture >_<)

Yeah Science! -with Jesse Pinkman voice-

In the first place, I thought of printing a chemical structure so I choose dopamine (Happiness hormone) then I chose to print it as a necklace!

I used here Thingiverse to download this model

(click on the picture again >-<)

3D Printer Idea

Tool Chain

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

Software

LaserWork

This software used for creating G-code file for laser cutting machine.

Ultimaker Cura (4.10.0)

This is used for slicing 3D object and create G-code file for 3D printer machine.

Cura can be used with variety 3D printer types so that' why we used it.

Machines & Materials

Laser Cutting Machine

MORN MT3050D is the type of laser cutting and engraving machine I used.

3D Printer

PRUSA i3 MK3 is the type of 3D printer I used.

Plywood

Plywood is the type of material I used for printing the earrings and dopamine-shaped necklace.

PLA (white)

I used white PLA filament to print the dopamine necklace by 3D printer. I was going first with yellow PLA but I didn't found any so I chose the white one.

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?

Laser Cutting Model

First Step: Choosing the model

I used 3axis.co to select the design I want and download it!

Second Step: Convert the design file to dxf file

The design I wanted was pdf file so I had to convert it to dxf file so LaserWoek can read it by using this website.

Third Step: Import dxf file to LaserWork software.

Fourth Step: Prepare the file before downloading it on the machine.

I differentiate between the lines I wanted to be cut in high speed and the one with low speed by different colors!

Red lines: cutting with high speed (300) and power of 25.

Blue lines: cutting with low speed (25) and power of 65.

3D Printing Model

First Step: Choosing the model.

I used Thingiverse to download the desired stl file!

Second Step: Open the stl file into Cura.

Third Step: Choose the proper orientation.

I figured out that the proper orientation is as represented above.

I took my instructor's advice to increase the infill to 50 because it's a weak model with a low height.

Fourth Step: Prepare the file before converting to G-code file.

I moved the design to the edge of the bed. Here is a close look at the support.

no. of layers: 23 layers.
layer height: 0.2mm
Infill: 50%.

After checking all the above data I chose to save it as a G-code file under the name (PI3MK2_Dopamine_Rhinestone_Necklace-24min-pla-yellow-3g-0.2mm)

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

After the instructors check the file I prepared we started the process as follows:

I turned on the laser cutting machine and made sure that the two switches are on.
I pressed "download" from LaserWork software to download the file onto the machine then I named the file with a short name so I can recognize it on the machine.
I put the plywood sheet (500*300mm) on the machine and made sure it's far from the laser nozzle by a reasonable distance by using a sort of lens (to be focused).
I moved the laser nozzle to the origin I want by using the arrows on the machine screen then I pressed the origin button.
I chose the file name to be cut from the machine screen then press work-frame then press start.

The process of cutting plywood took 1 min and 22 sec.

Click on me to see a the whole process :)

3D Printer

After the instructors check the G-code file I prepared, we started the process as follows:

I load the G-code file on the SD card of the instructor.
I chose the white filament so I unload the blue filament that was in the 3D printer machine before, then substituted it with the white filament.
I cut the white filament in an angular way to look sharp and I chose load from the machine screen twice until the clear white color appeared.
I selected the file from the SD card.
I checked the temperature and modified it to 215 degrees then I pressed enter to start the operation.
I removed the support layer by using the pliers.

Click on me to see part of the operation :)

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?

Ms. Menna told me that I can color the earrings so the burnt areas do not appear so I spray it with yellow color.

Mr. Saeed gives me a nice suggestion of making the dopamine necklace by laser cutting too.

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 remember when I started using the Cura software I had a problem. When I import any stl file, the shape loaded in working cube is very large in volume so it wasn't fit in the working cube. After here and there I finally was able to fix that by changing the axes and make z axis equal 0 to be the same as I saw in lecture video and it worked!

Another problem, when I took Mr. Saeed suggestion (cutting the dopamine necklace by laser cutting) I had a trouble with finding the dopamine necklace stl file so someone at the lab (I don't know his name) helped me by using a program that I don't have and it worked.

Final Project

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

I got aware of the materials I'm going to use in my final project and the colors available. Also, the fact that there are color sprays I'm able to use them. In addition to how to deal with laser cutting and 3D printer machines and their software.

WOW!

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

Being able to use online websites to download designs and edit them to fit the aim of using it. Also, dealing with Cura and LaserWork software!

Above of all these, seeing my own ideas and thoughts between my hand is just WOW! thanks for all the helpers.

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.

An extra item I did this weak. it's a dopamine-shaped necklace by laser cutting machine instead of a 3D printer.

The laser cutting machine took 25 sec.

Assignment Design Files

Dopamine [stl]

Earrings [dxf]

Earrings [rdl]

Page updated

Report abuse