Final Project: Assignment
With the end of the semester near, my final project is as follows: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. I must design and create an object made of otherwise wasted materials and manufactured using the machines in the Innovation Center.
Brainstorming
My primary hurdle in completing this project was that I didn't know what to create. Initially, I considered a bass guitar made from a large water cooler bottle. However, at that point, I was already short on time and needed to create something simpler. I eventually decided to create a sign for the Waunakee Warriors.
Materials
I found some scrap wood in the basement of my house that I can use to create the project. The board was leftover material from an old project, so by incorporating it into this project, I am reusing.
Laser Engraving
The process to cut and engrave the sign is simple: it consists of cuts along the edges forming a rectangle, the Warriors logo, and text saying "Go Warriors!" The laser cutter begins with the engraving processes.
With engraving complete, the laser cuts the borders of the sign.
The laser doesn't cut completely through the wood, but the process will make it simple to remove the extra material later.
Vinyl Cutting
In order to add more detail to the sign, I applied a vinyl decal of the Warriors logo over the engraved one such that the engraving is like the vinyl's shadow.
However, the vinyl wouldn't stick to the wood surface. This is likely because the engraving process caused a sharp edge that made sticking the vinyl to the wood difficult.
I then decided that the project would still work without the vinyl. In fact, it may even look better without it.
Project Complete!
Despite difficulty with the vinyl, the project is complete.