This week is dedicated to 3D design. I learnt many things with this assignment because that was my first time with the software Fusion 360°. Moreover Rick, with whom I've been working this week, has been a great help. He knows this software and was able to answer my questions. He was patient and I was able to learn a lot from him.

For this week the assignment was to design and print an object that can contain different electronic components. We had to use 3 LED, one small electronic board and a sensor. We each had to design our own object on the software. At the beginning each component was measured in order to be able to place them back in the object. Rick quickly found his idea. He then helped me find mine before I started. And throughout the project he was attentive and we were able to discuss various problems or questions.

I decided to create a child's night light in the shape of a cloud. With a base to place the components and a cloud-shaped cover to cover it. Making a cloud was for a real challenge because in addition to the rounded shape, the shape had to be hollow to let the light from the LEDs pass through the base. I also had to think about making holes to screw the electronic board, and a hole to the outside to connect it.

I still decided to print my cloud in a small format to see the rendering. The printing had to be repeated several times because I chose a particular transparent plastic. For this material to be transparent, the printer must be at its maximum temperature. During the first tests, the temperature was too low so small balls were created.

This first work on the 3D printer allowed me to understand the operation of the machine, the use of materials, the constraints and the advantages of different plastics.

Once the printing was finished, I realized that the two parts were not fit, so in order to fix this, I sent out the base part because the cloud was too thin. The cloud is not completely transparent at the end but we can see the light through it.

For the rendering, we decided to print in 3D the Rick pot as he has more experience in 3D design. He chose to create a flower pot by adding a laser cut pineapple on top. It was necessary to use plexiglass to make the light pass through the pineapple. And also a piece of wood in order to hold up the pineapple and close the pot. All the components were fit into the pot.

WHAT DID I LEARN? 

TECHNICS:
- 3D Design

MATERIALS:
- Electronics components:
- 3 LED
- Electronic board
- Sensor
- plastic to print

MACHINES/SOFTWARES:
- Fusion 360°
- Cura
- 3D printer Ultimaker 2

MY PARTNER?

Rick S

BASE

CLOUD

I haven't done much research this week. I had to measure each of the components in order to design an object capable of containing them. After creating my cloud on the Fusion 360° software, I wanted to print it in 3D. I had to figure out how to use a transparent plastic for the 3D printer.

This week I worked with Rick S. He helped me a lot with the software because I had never done 3D before. We exchanged ideas together before each of us started on a different design. He helped me come up with an idea. Kaj helped me to realize the rounded volumes of the cloud.

I had never worked on 3D software before. Kaj gave us a very useful course to learn how to understand how the software works, how to use the main tools and create simple shapes. Creating my own object in real size has helped me to better understand how the software works. Then I learned how to use the lab's 3D printer. How to change the material and start a print run. I learned that in order for the plastic to remain transparent, you have to set the temperature as high as possible.