In order to make sure I finished the final project on time and help keep me on an organized schedule, I created a Gantt Chart. The chart allowed to me to finish the project before the deadline so I'd have time to work on other projects such as Arduino.
The first step of the final project process was to brainstorm some potential projects, so I researched three and decided the best one was the fishing rod holder
First sketch on Inventor
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I sketched a design of what the fishing rod holder would look like and then added dimensions so I could start designing on Inventor
First extrusion on Inventor
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Final sketch on Inventor
First sketch on Inventor
Final sketch on Inventor
I put my bottom piece Inventor file into Fusion 360
Fusion 360 prepared the file to be CNC Routed as well as made sure that the tool path was correct so routing would be successful CNC Router routing the bottom piece
It was difficult to do this piece because my routing setup was slightly incorrect Due to this, the board had to be planed to be the correct size Forest Scientific software that controls the Router
Using the X,Y,Z movements centered the routing bit I used Illustrator to find a design I would like to be engraved on the top piece
Laser UCP software controls the laser
Many settings had to be correct in order for the laser to engrave correctly I used Illustrator and designed circles for the sixteen bottom holes
Cutting Master 4 software controls the Vinyl Cutter
I stuck the vinyl decals into each of the holes and one on the top
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Finished Bottom Piece
First extrusion on Inventor
Finished Top Piece
I put my top piece Inventor file into Fusion 360
CNC Router routing the top piece
After the top and bottom pieces were routed, I sanded them with an electric sander and used a small piece to sand the holes
Laser engraves the design onto the top piece
I used a drill and a screwdriver to put on the brackets that will hold the rods
Vinyl Cutter cuts out circle decals
I assembled the fishing rod holder using wood glue and I also drilled a screw into both ends to ensure the pieces are set tight to the dowel
This is the final product
It successfully holds fishing rods |
What I learned:
This final project unit, I had to learn the concept of production. I had to brainstorm an idea, research what I will need to do, come up with a plan, and then create. It wasn't easy to plan out everything on paper because so many things had to be thought of. Yet along the way there were many times where I thought of new ideas so I was constantly modifying. Throughout the process, I became more familiar with the CNC Router, Laser, and Vinyl Cutter as well as their softwares but there were always some little things that I learned to increase efficiency.
One of the most important parts of this unit was being able to create a product while managing time. I learned how to budget my time and determine how long I had to finish each component ensuring I could finish the project within the time frame. Overall it was extremely satisfying to know that this whole project started from just pieces of wood to being a neat and functional fishing rod holder.
If I were to do this project all over again I would make the base more sturdy so that it wouldn't wobble. Also purchasing better quality wood would have helped it not to warp. Lastly, I could put a finish on it or paint it to make it look better, but I do like the look of the wood without it.
This final project unit, I had to learn the concept of production. I had to brainstorm an idea, research what I will need to do, come up with a plan, and then create. It wasn't easy to plan out everything on paper because so many things had to be thought of. Yet along the way there were many times where I thought of new ideas so I was constantly modifying. Throughout the process, I became more familiar with the CNC Router, Laser, and Vinyl Cutter as well as their softwares but there were always some little things that I learned to increase efficiency.
One of the most important parts of this unit was being able to create a product while managing time. I learned how to budget my time and determine how long I had to finish each component ensuring I could finish the project within the time frame. Overall it was extremely satisfying to know that this whole project started from just pieces of wood to being a neat and functional fishing rod holder.
If I were to do this project all over again I would make the base more sturdy so that it wouldn't wobble. Also purchasing better quality wood would have helped it not to warp. Lastly, I could put a finish on it or paint it to make it look better, but I do like the look of the wood without it.