Computer Controlled Cutting
The assignment for this week was to get familiar with the laser cutter. In cass, we learned how the machine works, and which materials it can cut and/or engrave. I was pretty amazed at the variety of materials the machine is capable of working with. For my first project, I took a picture of a bicycle gear, traced the bitmap in inkscape, and then added numbers around the edge to make the begginings of a future project of adding a clock to the center of the piece.
I learned how the laser cutter works, and the difference between vector and raster cutting, and how to use the machine to engrave as well as cut in the same job. I also learned about the safety of the machine, as it has the ability to start fires, especially when cutting cardboard.
The second project I worked on was creating a press fit holder for coffee filters. To do this, I first thought of a design, and sketched it out on paper. When I settled on a design, I got to work building it in inkscape. The design was simple, two peices of cardboard forming an "X" shape, and then two peices on the side of the x to hold the filters in place. All of the peices fit togerther with only pressure and friction. It was a bit chalenging to get the peices the exact right size in inkscape, but using the clone function in inkscape makes it easier/ more manageable.
Next I decided to build something alittle bigger. I decided on buiding a wine rack in the shape of a rocketship. I sketeched a simple rocketship desgin in inkscape, then put holes in it the size of wine bottles. Then I put a slot in it, and made the cross peice, used to hold the thing together, and shaped it like a stabalizing wing. It turned out really well in cardboard, and I hope to make it out of wood in the near future.
The finished product:
