Laser cutting has been an interesting process to learn from, practicing rapid prototyping and the translation of two-dimensional design into three dimensions. I've also used it as a way to learn Adobe Illustrator and AutoCad LT, and practice visual designs in three tone - etched, cut, or open.
Functional Proof of Concept of a Roman Water Wheel
The first project I worked on using laser cutting was a functional proof of concept of the roman water wheel described by the ancient author Vitruvius for a course on ancient engineering. While the tools we used were modern, the challenges we faced were ancient: transform revolutions into reciprocating motion. We sketched out the basic ideas, estimated dimensions, and used Onshape to model the pieces, which we then cut using the laser cutter and assembled by hand. After a lot of testing and troubleshooting the right balance for the sawblade, we were able to achieve our goal - cutting a slice of cake.
NestNest was practice with nesting, offset parametric curves. Playing with Duron of different thicknesses and seeing how thin it could go, as well as seeing how rigidly designed geometries can evoke organic imageries when they're placed and built up at irregular angles.
The three baskets I designed as candle holders, and as a result I became interested in how the shadows play against and with the curves. The next project, Glow, was a result of changing medium and experimenting with the translucent properties of acrylic in similar shapes. For more information, click on image to the left. |
GlowGlow used similar parametric curve generation for the external pattern, but intentionally thicker and built up "concentrically" instead of at a ~30 degree offset. It's two slightly different halves, connected with sockets for small pieces of acrylic, and filled with a strand of remote control LEDs. The transparency of the acrylic from limited angles shows the form of the layers but also allows for the light to emerge softened and contributing a peaceful feeling. I also practiced working with acrylic cement, aa careful task as it melts the acrylic to bond two pieces together.
For more information, click on image to the left. |
4th StreetCribbage is a game I've spent many nights playing with my family. Our professor had shown us a design of his that involved a spiraling tower, so I worked off of his connection mechanism for the pieces and focused on using that core design for a collapsible cribbage board. For cribbage boards, the key elements I identified was having either 61 or 121 holes for each player. Based on the sizes of existing boards I've played with and how big pegs and holes need to be to be usable, and to keep the tower at a reasonable height, I decided to incorporate 60 holes - so you climb, descend, climb, and descend and then finish in the final hole. Laser cutting was a well suited medium for this because of the consistency of the holes, and I used my experience with duron and basswood for the final prototype. Throughout the iterations, I also incorporated peg holders onto the top piece that spins the tower around and a case for pegs while traveling on the second to top section. For more information, click on image to the left. |
Other Designs
I've also experimented with other laser cut designs, mostly from stylized nature imagery to jewelry, to increase familiarity with different materials and make small objects for fun.