cnc machine
Part 1: Proposal
#1. What is the tool or process that you are considering for your project? How does it work? How might you stay safe while using it?
The tool that I am using for my project is the CNC Machine, which is a machine that is easy to use with several difficulties like any other. The pieces that I'm doing are small and need a lot of precision and I am expecting the project to be challenging for this reason.
#2. Describe your proposal, why did you decide on this project? How difficult did you anticipate the project will be? Why?
My proposal for honors is about creating wooden jewelry to promote sustainable and renewable products, instead of disposable ones. Some ideas that I have are creating a necklace with my name, a creative necklace with a powerful message on it or a necklace of Mexico (native country), as well as a pair of earrings with a cute design on them. I believe that if I work on a single thing, this project would be easy and would not take much time. I expect on doing more than one accessory to expand my knowledge on the laser cutter and complete the three hours of work time that are required.
Materials:
Final product ideas:
Necklaces
#1. What is the tool or process that you are considering for your project? How does it work? How might you stay safe while using it?
The tool that I am using for my project is the CNC Machine, which is a machine that is easy to use with several difficulties like any other. The pieces that I'm doing are small and need a lot of precision and I am expecting the project to be challenging for this reason.
- The first thing that I have to do before using the machine is to have a plan in mind or a vision of what my exact final piece is going to look like.
- The next step is to find a program for me to use to illustrate my ideas that would eventually convert my final project sketch into a code. Then the CNC Machine will read the code and create the piece.
- After finishing my product in a computer I can go ahead and place my base material held in place and it will be ready to create my design into reality.
#2. Describe your proposal, why did you decide on this project? How difficult did you anticipate the project will be? Why?
My proposal for honors is about creating wooden jewelry to promote sustainable and renewable products, instead of disposable ones. Some ideas that I have are creating a necklace with my name, a creative necklace with a powerful message on it or a necklace of Mexico (native country), as well as a pair of earrings with a cute design on them. I believe that if I work on a single thing, this project would be easy and would not take much time. I expect on doing more than one accessory to expand my knowledge on the laser cutter and complete the three hours of work time that are required.
Materials:
- CNC Machine
- Thin wood
- Sandpaper
- Rubber cord for jewels (preferably black)
- Earring hooks
Final product ideas:
Necklaces
Earrings
Part 2: Demonstration
#3. What happened while working on your first draft? What will you do differently next time? What went as expected and what surprised you?
When I started working on my first draft, I did not know how to manipulate the site Easel by Inventables and how to start my project on there. I asked my teacher for assistance and we started working on the process of my first draft. I learned how to sketch different designs and got comfortable with the site. After working on my first draft for about an hour trying to figure out how everything worked, I finally moved on with the CNC Machine. I was ready to convert my design into reality and get critiqued on. Before having my design on wood, one of my classmates helped me with the draft. My classmate explained me with much detail the different steps into using the CNC Machine. Although there are many steps to follow and the user needs to be very careful, the CNC Machine was incredibly fun and easy to use. One change I would make with my first draft is making two holes on both upper sides of the necklace to hang a string. When I started my draft, I completely forgot to add both holes on the sides of my name and when I had the finished print I realized this. Something that surprised me was the precision of the final print and how good it looked. I did not think that it was going to turn out this good, so this was something unexpected but fortunately. Overall, my first draft was successful and a good learning experience because I got to learn how to work the site of the designs and how to work the CNC Machine.
#3. What happened while working on your first draft? What will you do differently next time? What went as expected and what surprised you?
When I started working on my first draft, I did not know how to manipulate the site Easel by Inventables and how to start my project on there. I asked my teacher for assistance and we started working on the process of my first draft. I learned how to sketch different designs and got comfortable with the site. After working on my first draft for about an hour trying to figure out how everything worked, I finally moved on with the CNC Machine. I was ready to convert my design into reality and get critiqued on. Before having my design on wood, one of my classmates helped me with the draft. My classmate explained me with much detail the different steps into using the CNC Machine. Although there are many steps to follow and the user needs to be very careful, the CNC Machine was incredibly fun and easy to use. One change I would make with my first draft is making two holes on both upper sides of the necklace to hang a string. When I started my draft, I completely forgot to add both holes on the sides of my name and when I had the finished print I realized this. Something that surprised me was the precision of the final print and how good it looked. I did not think that it was going to turn out this good, so this was something unexpected but fortunately. Overall, my first draft was successful and a good learning experience because I got to learn how to work the site of the designs and how to work the CNC Machine.
#4. Describe how you completed your project. How much of a difference is there between your first and final drafts? Were your changes from post #3 useful?
My final project is slightly different than my original draft. The biggest change that I have made is adding two small holes on both sides of my name to have something to attach the string from. For my first draft, I forgot to add this detail and I realized this after I finished sanding the piece. Other change I did was using a thinner wood for the piece to be more detailed and precise. The most unnoticeable change I made was using a capital "M" instead of "m" for my name, I thought it was more appropriate this way. These changes that I made were very small and did not affected the purpose of my main project at all. After finishing my project, I decided to create something that was meaningful, so I created a heart with "TJ" inside of it, representing the city I was born in.
My final project is slightly different than my original draft. The biggest change that I have made is adding two small holes on both sides of my name to have something to attach the string from. For my first draft, I forgot to add this detail and I realized this after I finished sanding the piece. Other change I did was using a thinner wood for the piece to be more detailed and precise. The most unnoticeable change I made was using a capital "M" instead of "m" for my name, I thought it was more appropriate this way. These changes that I made were very small and did not affected the purpose of my main project at all. After finishing my project, I decided to create something that was meaningful, so I created a heart with "TJ" inside of it, representing the city I was born in.
#5. What were the two most important things you've learned about the process or tool you selected? Where in your project best demonstrates your mastery of what you learned?
The two most important things I have learned while working on this project are to be really precise and follow rigorous steps, and learn to ask other people for help. While I was working on this project, I learned to follow through precise steps and making sure that everything was in place in order to have successful results. If I did not follow all the steps and made sure that everything was ready, an error in the product would happen. Fortunately, this did not happen with my project, but it did happen with my main project in class and I learned this from these mistakes. I am usually the type of student that likes to learn things individually without bothering my classmates or teachers. In this project I had to communicate more with my teacher and ask for help when I needed it. The help and mastery of my teacher really helped me to dominate the CNC Machine and learn from my mistakes.
The two most important things I have learned while working on this project are to be really precise and follow rigorous steps, and learn to ask other people for help. While I was working on this project, I learned to follow through precise steps and making sure that everything was in place in order to have successful results. If I did not follow all the steps and made sure that everything was ready, an error in the product would happen. Fortunately, this did not happen with my project, but it did happen with my main project in class and I learned this from these mistakes. I am usually the type of student that likes to learn things individually without bothering my classmates or teachers. In this project I had to communicate more with my teacher and ask for help when I needed it. The help and mastery of my teacher really helped me to dominate the CNC Machine and learn from my mistakes.
Easel on Inventables: Final product view and details of the process of the project.
Part 3: Help Someone Else
#6. Describe the work you will do with your apprentices. What do they want to make or what are they having a difficult time using? What is your plan for assisting them?
For this part of the project, I am planning to help two of my classmates to do something that is significant to them on the CNC Machine. I am teaching Jamileth and Jaylin how to use the CNC, while instructing them on how to use Easel on Inventables and creating their designs. Just like myself when I started learning to use the CNC, there were a couple of steps that you have to learn in order to have successful results. I explained throughouly every step in the process, from the idea of the designs on the computer to the correct positioning of the wood on the CNC. Both of them wanted to make a keychain, but it was a single design without any support on the back. It was difficult to decide the final design because the cuts turn out to be thinner than expected. We had to come up with another idea that would be more durable than the original design. I suggested to use a similar design that would change the style of the keychain, but it had more support than the previous one. Jamileth and Jaylin agreed to this design and learned from the mistakes of the previous attempt. It was good to see that they understand the difficulties of the CNC Machine and learned how many ways there are to create an original design.
#6. Describe the work you will do with your apprentices. What do they want to make or what are they having a difficult time using? What is your plan for assisting them?
For this part of the project, I am planning to help two of my classmates to do something that is significant to them on the CNC Machine. I am teaching Jamileth and Jaylin how to use the CNC, while instructing them on how to use Easel on Inventables and creating their designs. Just like myself when I started learning to use the CNC, there were a couple of steps that you have to learn in order to have successful results. I explained throughouly every step in the process, from the idea of the designs on the computer to the correct positioning of the wood on the CNC. Both of them wanted to make a keychain, but it was a single design without any support on the back. It was difficult to decide the final design because the cuts turn out to be thinner than expected. We had to come up with another idea that would be more durable than the original design. I suggested to use a similar design that would change the style of the keychain, but it had more support than the previous one. Jamileth and Jaylin agreed to this design and learned from the mistakes of the previous attempt. It was good to see that they understand the difficulties of the CNC Machine and learned how many ways there are to create an original design.
Final design of the keychains.
#7. How was it helping someone else? Describe what you had to do to help both of your apprentices. How did their final products turn out?
When I was helping both of my classmates with the CNC Machine I felt like I had the responsibility that if something went wrong, it would be my fault. There were a couple of detailed problems with the design of the keychains, but everything else turned out well. I expected to have difficulties at the beginning of this project because everybody makes mistakes when starting something new. The final design turned out as I visualized it in my head, but not exactly how my apprentices wanted it. I tried explaining to them why we needed to change the original design that they wanted to a more durable one. The apprentices were happy with the results and they also learned how the CNC Machine works and the steps that you have to do in order for the machine to function correctly. Even though the final designs were not as good as we ambitioned, they were still okay and were good first drafts.
When I was helping both of my classmates with the CNC Machine I felt like I had the responsibility that if something went wrong, it would be my fault. There were a couple of detailed problems with the design of the keychains, but everything else turned out well. I expected to have difficulties at the beginning of this project because everybody makes mistakes when starting something new. The final design turned out as I visualized it in my head, but not exactly how my apprentices wanted it. I tried explaining to them why we needed to change the original design that they wanted to a more durable one. The apprentices were happy with the results and they also learned how the CNC Machine works and the steps that you have to do in order for the machine to function correctly. Even though the final designs were not as good as we ambitioned, they were still okay and were good first drafts.
Final apprentices attempt.
Part #4: Kaizen
#8. Reflect on what it is like to use the tools related to your area of expertise. What is difficult or frustrating about using them? What do you wish you had known at the start of this work? Propose a change that will make the completion of your work easier.
The CNC Machine is practical to use compared to other machines in the industry. Something that is frustrating about the CNC is how easy it is to make mistakes and that you need to have some experience or someone with experience with you before starting a project to avoid any problems. It is also impractical to go through the security steps everytime when you need to change one thing on your design or when making any adjustments. But something that was the most frustrating out of all of these is to lean forward everytime you need to make any adjusting on the materials. It was annoying to have to sit on the floor to watch your project to prevent any hazard. What I wish I knew at the beginning of this project is that it takes time to finish a project on the CNC Machine because the designs may not turn out as you wanted them. You need to have a lot of patience too because it can be a slow process and a lot of waiting. Something that would have make the completion of my work easier is to go through each requirement with my teacher or any person with experience to avoid any misconceptions with the project. Most importantly, having the CNC Machine at the eye level could prevent students from having any mistakes on their projects because it would be easy to see.
#9. Once you've made your improvement, how much did it help? What did you do and why? How does the change of work/improve the space?
After talking to my teacher about my idea, he recommended me that I should build shelves instead. Having shelves on the shop would help to have more organization in the room and the students would have more access to the tools. I constructed two shelves each on top of each other to store whatever is on the table or the floor. I wanted these shelves to be as discrete and simple as possible to go with the rest of the room. Now that the shelves are installed there is more organization in the room and everything has a home, so the tools are less likely to be misplaced or lost.
#8. Reflect on what it is like to use the tools related to your area of expertise. What is difficult or frustrating about using them? What do you wish you had known at the start of this work? Propose a change that will make the completion of your work easier.
The CNC Machine is practical to use compared to other machines in the industry. Something that is frustrating about the CNC is how easy it is to make mistakes and that you need to have some experience or someone with experience with you before starting a project to avoid any problems. It is also impractical to go through the security steps everytime when you need to change one thing on your design or when making any adjustments. But something that was the most frustrating out of all of these is to lean forward everytime you need to make any adjusting on the materials. It was annoying to have to sit on the floor to watch your project to prevent any hazard. What I wish I knew at the beginning of this project is that it takes time to finish a project on the CNC Machine because the designs may not turn out as you wanted them. You need to have a lot of patience too because it can be a slow process and a lot of waiting. Something that would have make the completion of my work easier is to go through each requirement with my teacher or any person with experience to avoid any misconceptions with the project. Most importantly, having the CNC Machine at the eye level could prevent students from having any mistakes on their projects because it would be easy to see.
#9. Once you've made your improvement, how much did it help? What did you do and why? How does the change of work/improve the space?
After talking to my teacher about my idea, he recommended me that I should build shelves instead. Having shelves on the shop would help to have more organization in the room and the students would have more access to the tools. I constructed two shelves each on top of each other to store whatever is on the table or the floor. I wanted these shelves to be as discrete and simple as possible to go with the rest of the room. Now that the shelves are installed there is more organization in the room and everything has a home, so the tools are less likely to be misplaced or lost.
Final Project