Pattern to the Cutter

    For this next project, we needed to take our existing pattern file and produce something new to have laser cut on 1/8 inch balsam wood. Being a Jewellery and Metals Major, I saw an opportunity to create something valuable that would align well with my craft.   

    Making this new Rhino file was moderately easy. I already had separate curves running on the side of my pattern design from the last assignment that was quickly copied and pasted to a new file and hatched in greyscale. From there, I created even offsets around each character. Thinking about this from a jewellers perspective and the overarching idea of symmetry in anything classically jewellery-related, I figured it was best to print X2 of each design for earrings/pendant potential.

Given that most of the curves in my design were a crucial element, I selected my curves layer and adjusted the thickness of my print width to be visible within my object. I was ready to print, ensuring that my cutting marks were set as Hairline and my hatches and curves were not repeated; I was prepared to cut. Jessica was excellent at describing the process beyond my knowledge. 

I decided to clean up the edges after the cutting stages and considered working the pieces into wearables, as shown in some indicative photos below:

Right side you can see the bunny has been sanded smooth

Earrings needing final step of adding prongs to the main wire and they will be complete.

    Regrettably, the wood sheet was not directly aligned with my layout, so I did lose a few small corners of my pieces, but they were very successful for a first go. I will wear these earring to class when I have them polished off.. so stay tuned :)

commonly commanded [previously most commands used]:

copy

move

offset

center and end snaps

hatch

print width

rotate

scale

linear dimensions

mm to inches conversion through command

fun had: a great deal