I entered the practical stage of this project this week. I must say the majority of the process is running as effectively as I expected. Therefore, I did not change the design or focus. There is only a small adjustment that I made to the patterns to better fit my message and also to make the laser cutting process more efficient.
Laser cutting the skeletons
The major challenge is that some pieces are too small for this type of wood, leading to breakage and damage from burnt marks. Consequently, in the following week, I will try another type of wood while also redesigning the size of some skeletons.
The laser did not cut through on the first attempt, and the technicians suggested cutting it twice without moving the material. I opted not to do so because the skeleton is delicate, with intricate and fine connections. A second round of laser cutting would certainly compromise the details and result in strong burn marks. Therefore, I obtained some sandpaper, sanded the back of the wood, and used a box cutter to scratch the patterns out, which proved to be quite effective.
Wardrobe Design
I need to think very carefully and create small prototypes to ensure that the connections between each piece work, and the scale remains consistent throughout.
Laser Cut the Wardrobe
As long as the files are mindfully designed, the cutting process went quite smoothly. I spent three hours in the laser lab to complete cutting the wardrobe, followed by an hour in the making center to sand out the burnt marks and use wood glue to stick the pieces together. The entire process was much more efficient than I expected. Additionally, I purchased my own wood sheets from Amazon instead of obtaining plywood from the laser lab. I found that the craft wood sheets are more precisely cut and have a clearer, finished surface.
