Week1 #1 - Journal

At the first week the task idea was to know a general idea of 3D printers and laser cutting , so I started to see the tutorials of how to make the 3D printing file and Laser cutting file in order to start to see the fabrication process at the lab , and I chose a file from thingiverse that is related to my field in urban design .

beside this I started to search for ideas for final project proposal and get inspired from similar projects .

• Laser cutting file :

-First thing i started to import the dxf file to the laser works software , then i started to select the parts that will be engraved and the parts that will be cut

-I started to edit the settings of the file : output, speed and power of the laser cutting in both the engraved parts and the cut parts

-I dragged the file at the corner of the work area at the origin , to make use of the rest of the plywood board

-The last thing is to save the file .rld

• 3D printing file :

-firstly i searched on the website Thingiverse for a 3D model and downloaded it .

- I started to drag the model in the prusa slicer software

- I places the flat face of the model on the plane

-The i started editing the settings of the object (Layer height(0.2mm normal) – Material (Generic pla)) –Machine type (Original prusa i3 MK2s ) , Infill 15%

-when all is done I clicked on slice now to change the object to slices

-I checked th weight of the model to not exceed 10gms and the estimated time of printing to be less than 40 minutes

-At the end I saved the file as Gcode

the same steps was done in the sample file

At the lab we learnt how to use both machines

Laser cutting :

-firstly i made sure that the origin of the machine is in the right places (Through using arrows and origin button on the machine )

-Selected the file on the machine

-On the computer I opened the file on laser works software then clicked on (Download --start )

3D printing :

-firstly I understood the main elements of the machine , types of materials , the plastic that we will use and how to load and unload the plastic from the machine

-in the fabrication of my own model :

-Placed the Gcode file on the SD card that will be used in the machine

- then i opened the file from the machine menu and started printing as the plastic wire was already loaded

- At the end my model (Bench ) was printed

-Yes , as i had some questions about the type of materials that can be used in 3D printing , and if it's applicable to laser cut a cardboard with the same machine of wood

-someone asked about the way we could engrave different layers or scan it to give a different texture , this was useful for me .

-we helped each other in some of the printing process , as in the laser cut someone helped me to start the cutting process .

-during the 3D printing me and one of my peers started to try to load and unload the plastic wire and helped each other to understand this

• During the loading of the plastic wire in the 3D printing , I didn't know if it's loaded right or not , so I turned to my instructor , and understood how to make sure if the wire is placed right or not .

• During the preparation of the G code file , i had a small problem in editing the settings as at first i didn't find the same options to choose from , so i started to search about this , but this problem was solved when i chose the type of machine , the other settings changed and found the exact ones that I should choose .

I learnt how to make a laser cutting file and the Gcode file for 3D printing , this will help me to know how to prepare my final project file and to start making it's construction components whether using laser cutting or 3D printing .