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Week 6

Assignments

  • [ ] Task 1: * Use any of the tools presented in the master class (see Tools to create 3d shapes with laser cutters below ), and create a 3D object using any of the joint techniques presented: finger joints, stacking…
  • You can use either a CAD tool to build your 3D object, or you can use any of the tools to build objects such as boxes.py.
  • Put all the parts together, and snap a photo
  • If needed do not be afraid of using e.g glue.
  • [ ] Task 2:Show a picture of your creation in your learning diary. You can add few pictures and short explanation of the process if you desire.

Process

  1. I plan to use laser cutter to make snowflake pieces. Kids can put all parts together.So the first step is to drew a hexagon with a side length of 30mm in Laser Maker.
  2. Design a rectangle.With a thickness of 3 millimeters and a length of 2 centimeters, design the width of the rectangle proportionally.
  3. Considering that students need to assemble it, the six corners of the hexagon were adjusted to be round, and text was added in the middle of the snowflake.
  4. After completing the design, I duplicaed the design to 15 pieces. Then I exported the file in DXF format and opened it in LaserSoft. 5.Click”Load current file”and then cutting
  5. Cutting
  6. After cutting, I removed the pieces and checked the fit of the slots to ensure they connected snugly.

Reflection

In this project, I not only improved my technical skills but also gained valuable hands-on experience through the process of design and production.

Firstly, using Laser Maker for the design helped me become more familiar with graphic drawing and pattern combination techniques.

During the cutting process, operating the laser cutter gave me a deeper understanding of how to factor in kerf and material thickness, allowing me to adjust the slot width and design dimensions appropriately. This process helped me pay more attention to detail and precision, especially when drawing the slot array in Laser Maker, as it made me realize the relationship between design and actual manufacturing.

The most rewarding part was when, after cutting, I found that the slots fit together perfectly and the pieces could be assembled without glue. This made me realize the importance of considering friction and structural fit during the design process, which not only improves efficiency but also ensures the final product’s quality and functionality.

Overall, this project allowed me to become more familiar with the complete process from design to production and improved my hands-on and problem-solving skills. In future projects, I will continue to optimize the design and production process to achieve greater precision and efficiency.

Tools

  • LaserMaker
  • LaserSoft