I'm not going to lie, this week was a combination of these gifs.

I'm not sure why, but I just couldn't get the hang of the CNC, and I was too stubborn to switch to the 3D printed version because I've been in love with CNCs for years.

Oh, sweet hubris.

Draw toolpath

I like to use components when I'm drawing shapes in Rhino. It's nice to be able to pick pieces up again when I need to create a shape. I used the CurveBoolean function when joining and trimming, so I couldn't grab a shape once it was cut.

Measuring

I made sure to measure my material with the calipers every time I switched out a plate to make sure that the slots would line up correctly.

I drew probably about 30 different shapes throughout the process, then uploaded my final designs to the documentation on Github.

Test out the CNC

I was so excited to get to play with a CNC. Xenia and I had a great time cutting a 2mm square, and it was so amazing. I nerded out for about 30 minutes afterwards.

We used the 1/32" end mill, or 0.79375mm, and I made sure to measure the end mill along with the materials, since you never know if it could have a problem.

I still love the CNC, I just am now appropriately respectful of it and humbled by its grace.

Cut the shapes

This was where the mayhem started.

I must have gone through 20 sheets of material between all of the trial and error of this assignment. I must say that I have learned that I will fight tooth and nail to use CNCs that can have the material screwed in place, or will invent a double-sided tape dispenser SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS MACHINE.

I cannot emphasize how much issue I had with the tape. I used the vacuums, I wiped it with a paper towel, I prayed to every grad school God I could think of. I got the shapes done, but at what cost?

Lessons in humility and exhaustion

I'm not really sure what was going on with me this week, but I just couldn't get anything to work right. I'm pretty sure I looked like an insane person, sitting in the MILL for hours with a comfort can of Pringles and Powerade.

I finally managed to get a four-sided cube to work, having gotten the hang of the dogbones and the margins, but I couldn't get the top and bottom to fit. I'm certain now that I need to increase the cut on the bottom portions of my slot edges to accomodate for the extra height of the bottom and top pieces.

I'm definitely going to return to the MILL after this week and figure out the final toolpaths, but for now, I've got a four-sided box.