This task was to find something on Thingiverse that could be cut in the laser. This was a challenging task as we weren't really given any guidelines on what it could be, and there is a staggering number of print jobs on the site.
I decided to find a puzzle, to give myself some direction. My first idea - a rocket ship - was shot down because it didn't have template. That part was essential, because without a downloadable template we would have no idea how to design the parts. I eventually found this mammoth puzzle.
Next we downloaded all the files and uploaded the template to Illustrator.
Next, as with any laser cutting process, change the stroke weight to 0.0001 and the line color to red.
Because the template was originally design for a smaller materiel, I had to size it up so it would fit the cardboard. I also spread the pieces out a bit to help prevent the risk of a fire starting.
Then we uploaded it to the UCP software and lined it up so it would actually be cut onto the cardboard.
Here it is in the laser.
Next came assembly. I had to grab all the pieces and put them together. Because there were no actual instructions, I was going off of the pictures on the website.
It wasn't too difficult to put together, but the slots for the pieces were a little tight, and I bent a few trying to get them in. But overall, I think it went really well.
I learned many things from this project, but most of all I learned patience. This one was a little difficult because I had to do three laser projects in three days, whereas other rotations were one project in three days. There were certainly a lot of things that didn't go well, and there were a lot of dead ends and roadblocks, but I got through it. I also ended up helping people figure out what they were supposed to be doing too, so that made me feel immensely better.