Week 1 - Journal

Ideation

Tell us about your assignment's idea for this week. Why do you care about this idea? What were you inspired by?

3D Printing

3D model of my choice

I love elephants so I picked this model from "Thingiverse" website

3D model from samples

I picked Baby Groot from the samples.

Laser Cutting

I downloaded the DXF file of the Fab lab logo to be cut by the laser cutter.

Tool Chain

Which software/machines/materials did you use this week? Why?

3D printing

PrusaSlicer

So for preparing the model to be printed, I used PrusaSlicer software to generate the G.code file, which can be executed by the 3D Printer.

3D printer

And I used the Prusa 3D printer to print the model.

PLA White Color

I used PLA white Color.

(the photo is from google)

Laser Cutting

LaserWorks

To prepare the FabLab logo to be cut by the laser machine, I used LaserWorks software.

Laser Cutter Machine

I used the laser cutter machine to cut the fabLab logo,

Medium-density fiberboard

I used Medium-density fiberboard to be the material to be cut by the laser cutter machine.

Design Process

Explain the design process of your assignment. How did you use the tool/software to design and/or simulate your assignment?

3D printing

After I downloaded the STL file of Baby Groot's model, I opened it with PrusaSlicer, and I changed the parameters as following in order to print the model with the required grams and time.

Print Settings: 0.20mm Normal
Filament: Generic PLA
Printer: Prusa i3 MK2S
Infill: 20%
Scale Factors: 25%

Finally, I exported the G-code File

I did the same steps for the elephant model, the only change is the scale factors are 35%.

Laser Cutting

To prepare the FabLab logo to be cut by the laser machine, I used LaserWorks software to define which lines will be cut and which will be just engraved by defining the speed and power of each.

For cutting: speed: 20 mm/sec Power: 65%
For engraving: speed: 300 mm/sec Power: 30%

and finally, I saved the file with the .rld extension to be loaded to the Laser cutter.

Fabrication/Implementation Process

Explain the fabrication/implementation process of your assignment. How did you use the machine/tool to manufacture or implement the design of your assignment?

3D printing

So I print Baby Groot using Prusa 3D Printer.

First, I insert the SD card with G-code on it, and then I pressed the on/off button to start the printer, then in order to change the filament, I unloaded the filament and loaded the new filament with white color, and then finally I choose the model I wanted to print and started the printing process.

Videos for the printing process 1 2

Laser Cutting

In order to cut the Fab lab logo, I used the laser cutting machine.

First, I loaded the DXF file to the machine and made sure that the wood board is in the right place, and I set the origin point to start cutting from it and then, I traced the framework to make sure that the wood board is enough for the design, and then I choose the file to start cutting process.

Video