Week 2: Laser Cutting

Assignment

Design and create something modular using the laser cutter

Project: Modular Shelf

My first attempt at laser cutting was a modular design with triangles to make a hexaflexagon, but I made a rookie mistake - I didn't properly specify which lines should be cut through versus scored for folding. This resulted in a pile of cardboard triangles instead of the folding structure I had planned!

Learning from this, I decided to create something simpler but more useful: a small modular shelf designed to hold my CNC milling assignment (3D map). I used wood for this version and added wood glue to secure the joints for extra stability.

Process

• First attempt: Created triangle-based design (failed but learned about cut settings)
• Second attempt: Designed simple shelf with interlocking joints
• Cut the pieces from wood using correct power settings (woohoo!)
• Assembled and reinforced with wood glue

The freshly cut pieces just assembled assembly

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