Rachel Legerski - Fab Academy 2015

Computer Controlled Machining

Week 8 Assignment

The assignment for this week is to make something BIG that would not normally be big! I chose to make a large set of tangrams for my students to use for math class and indoor recess. Lately the weather has kept our students indoors during their recess break. They need something new to use during that time.

I am really excited for this week's class. Gail is making an extra large tic-tac-toe game and I'm doing tangrams. Our plan is to cut out two sets and swap so that each have a set of both projects.

So my goal for this week is to design a large set of tangrams using Corel Draw. This program was recently installed on a laptop with a bigger screen. For that, I am grateful! It helps to be able to work on this program when I am not able to make it into the lab.

Struggles

  1. Not so many struggles this week! Having used Corel Draw earlier in the class, it is a little easier this time around.
  2. Will young (and sometimes, small) students be able to lift the larger pieces?
  3. If I cut out the center to give students something to grip, will it alter the ability to identify the pieces and compositions that students create?.

    4. Persistence and Success

    1. This assignment was great fun for me. I was able to create my tangrams and bring them back to my classroom. The students really enjoy playing with them.
    2. This is a new piece of equipment for me. We will have one or two of the Shopbot Buddies in our Fab Lab. I can see so many possibilities in using this machine. I think our teachers and students will love it!
    3. I really want more time to use this machine. Oh, the things we could make!

      4. Design:

      1. I started by choosing shapes in Corel Draw to create my tangrams.When I scaled them to the size I wanted, I began to wonder if the smaller students would be able to grab and lift them.
      2. I chose to create a smaller sized shape within the largest shapes to allow for easier grabbing and lifting.

      3. I sent the program to the Shopbot. I am in the process of taking a class on pesonal fabrication (also held at Lorain County Community College). In that class we just learned how to use the Shopbot, so I am feeling pretty good about my progress this week. It is important to be aware of all the safety issues when using the Shopbot. I don't want to hurt the machine OR have the machine hurt me!

      4. After prepping the surface by screwing down my material, I made sure that the bit was in place and that the machine would cut where I wanted. I can't wait to share this with my students. We are currently working on plotting points and point of origin and here is a real-life, practical application! We used a 0.25" flat endmill tool. We set the speed for 12,000 rpm with a feed rate of 2 in/min and a plunge rate of 30.
      5. As the machine cuts, I stay close near the red button to halt if anything should go wrong.

      6. The tangrams are cut. Time to unscrew and clean off the machine for the next person. Here is a picture of my tangrams. I can't wait to sand them.

      7. Next, I used a small router table to soften the edges. I will sand them at my husband's shop before I stain them and use them in the classroom.

      8. Here is a picture of my tangrams. I shaped them as a dancing woman.

      9. If you need help visualizing the dancing woman, this picture should help!

        10. Project Files:

        Tangram File Aspire Files

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