Objective: Complete your lab's safety training and perform initial tests on your machine to ensure proper operation.
Tasks:
Participate in and complete the lab's safety training program, covering equipment handling, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Test runout (e.g., spindle accuracy), alignment (e.g., machine axes calibration), and fixturing (e.g., workpiece securing methods).
Experiment with speeds, feeds, materials (e.g., wood, metal, plastic), and toolpaths to optimize machine performance.
Deliverables:
A safety training certificate or completion record.
A detailed log of test results, including measurements, observations, and recommended settings for future use.
Individual Assignment
Objective: Design, mill, and assemble a large-scale (~meter-scale) object using the lab’s machining equipment.
Tasks:
Conceptualize and design a meter-scale object
The concept is to build an ironing board cum chair, the item is to have the ironing board that can be used as a chair and also a store some items.
The idea was inspired by a facebook DIY video depicting an ironing board that can be made both as an ironing board and aslo as a chair. This saves space to put ironing board and chairs
Unfortunately the cnc mill did not respond to any of the g-codes I had generated. I dowloaded Mach3.CNC Demo software
which can run less tha 500 lines of gcode but it didnt work
I then decdided to use the PS36 CO2 laser that was recently installed.
I then connected it to the WIFI network with my computer
I saved the drawings into dxf format from solidworks format
I then opend Inkscape then opened the drawings from there then edited as follows:
No Fill
Stroke paint i chose dark
Stroke style width = 0.1mm
I then chose object to path
I then edited them then saved then as plain svg which can be read by retinaengrave3 software
With my laptop and the PS36 on the same network sharing the same WIFI network i opened chrome and put in the IP adress
of the PS36
192.168.0.148
and it opened RetinaEngrave3 the software in the PS36 Microcontroller. I set the parameters as follows:
Speed = 25%
P0wer = 100%
Current = 100%
Passes = 1
Milling and Milled Componnets
Components being milled
Finishing OperationI smoothened the surfaces using a buffing machine. I wore PPE as it created fine dust
I assembled the milled components into the final object, ensuring structural integrity and functionality.
Deliverables:
CAD files and milling program (e.g., G-code) used for the design and fabrication.
