By designing with different layers in mind, we are able to stack our materials to create incredible 3D shapes. In this lesson, we will assemble a simple design in cardboard utilizing 3rd party software that's available for these kinds of designs.
Safety First
Before powering on your laser, ensure that your workspace is free of fire, electrical and other safety hazards. Always be aware of all safety precautions when cutting materials with a laser.
Verify that your laser is connected to a computer by using the included ethernet cable.
For any additional setup or troubleshooting, reference your user manual for details
Launch Software
When the boot cycle completes, locate the unique IP address for your machine. For Muse, the wired IP will be listed in the bottom right corner of the touchscreen. To access the wireless IP, go to Settings>Network. For all other machines, use the IP address that appears in the main screen after the boot cycle.
Type this unique number into any web browser. We recommend Google Chrome for best results.
Step 1
Slice
In this project, we've included the 3D model that was used to create the laser cut file. This 3D .STL file is not compatible with laser software, but can be used if you’d like to attempt to create your own stacked item. Using 3rd party software, such as Autodesk 123D Make, or another slicing software for laser cutting, we are able to import our 3D .STL file and convert it into a laser cutable object.
We’ve also included the 2 PDF’s of the finalized cut file to create your own cardboard vase if you choose to not slice the model.
Step 2
Cut
Import your file as you normally would and cut each file out of a sheet of material. Select a setting that will mark the numbered guidelines, and cut through the outlines. These numbered markings are important as it will indicate the order of each piece when we assemble our design.
Step 3
Assembly
When both files are completed, lie out all the circles in numerical order.
Attach pieces 1 and 2 by using glue.
Continue adding layers in numerical order until all the pieces have been used.
What We Learned
Materials:
1/4" Wood, Glue
Things to think about: