With the model ready, the first thing I did was cut the frame pieces. This was my first time using the Science Center laser cutter (I used the GSD fab lab laser before this) and I had to troubleshoot a few things with transfering my images from Rhino to Corel Draw. I prepared my Rhino model, by laying out the pieces in 18" by 32" outines, and using the Explode DupBorder commands to reduce each piece to lines and curves only. I exported it as an Adobe Illustrator (.ai) format, after reading a recomendation online. Corel Draw imported the model with completely wrong scaling, but because of the 18" x 32" inch outlines, I just had to carefully resize the vectors to fit right at the corners of the Corel Draw canvas. I deleted the outline vecor, and changed the line weight to hairline. With that, it printed without a hitch (slightly higher power setting than GSD laser, 100% and 6% speed - Rob said the lens probably needs to be cleaned).

I printed the five 3D components on the ultimaker. After a few unsuccessful prints, I came to realize that the Ultimaker was printing much better than it was before, because the components in the head had been replaced. I set the speed to 80mm/sec, with a 15% infil and no external supports, and it was able to almost any overhang that wasn't horizontal, and it even managed to do horizontal overhangs somewhat (albeit very low quality and stringy).

I printed the five 3D components on the ultimaker. After a few unsuccessful prints, I came to realize that the Ultimaker was printing much better than it was before, because the components in the head had been replaced. I set the speed to 80mm/sec, with a 15% infil and no external supports, and it was able to almost any overhang that wasn't horizontal, and it even managed to do horizontal overhangs somewhat (albeit very low quality and stringy). After correcting the models, everything printed correctly.

With all the components cut or printed, I put together the frame in a matter of minutes. 2 3D printed components requred a lot of post-processing with sandpaper - the plunger head was too large to fit in the PVC tube, and the nozzle tip was too large to slide into the cap of the syringe. Other than that, everything went together smoothly and quickly.

At this stage, after 2 complete days of planning, building, cutting, and assembling and an entirely new extruded by myself, I decided my contribution was done. I saw Tiffany successfully drive the plunger with the Gestalt Node, which was exciting to see, but I realized in that moment that the motor was probably going to be too fast, and that the ratio between the radius of the tube and the nozzle end was so great, the stepper would encounter major resistance in pumping the volume of frosting it would need to. It turns out this issue might have been real, but was not critical because we could not ultimately get the 4 Gestalt nodes to communicate and run our entire program. The team did amazing work though, and I was impressed especially by the Gestalt, Coding, and Interface team for putting in long hours deciphering the code and testing the modules.