For this homework we explored the plasma cutter, its advantages and limitations, and other post-production methods in order to a make an Arizona for the wall of the OEDK. My time with the laser cutter went by relatively quickly with one exception, for the plasma cutter required some troubleshooting.

To begin, after I had created my .dxf file on one of the OEDK computers, instead of sending it over google drive or email to the other computer, I was required to either use a flash drive or simply make the file again. Once this file was on the plasma cutting computer, I could begin the set up. Following the sheets of infinite wisdom that detail the set up and use of the plasma cutter, I ran into a hiccup. After doing a dry run, I switched the setting to cut and let it go.

Unfortunately, the nozzle started, then went down and came right back up. It would no longer let me jog it to another position or run another cut due to an error. “Torchmate cannot proceed because the feed hold switch has been tripped. Please reset the switch before continuing.”

After some research with the lab technician, we learned that simply jiggling the head of the machine to get the magnets to line up better would solve the problem. The head had become a little askew after it had jerked upwards to quickly. With this problem out of the way, the rest went by easily.

Wanting to preserve material, I was able to fit both of my Arizona cuts on a relatively small piece of junk aluminum after a few tries. Once this was complete, I visited the Grider. With the grinding wheel I removed most of the dross still attached to my parts, and with the polishing wheel I was able to give my parts a nice shine.

Finally, with the sand blaster I sanded down both sides of my parts. This process was harmless as well, however after I had finished I felt myself longing for the shine that the polishing wheel had given. In the end I  chose not to paint my part and leave it with an organic, metallic feel. This project taught me about many new machines in the OEDK, including the plasma cutter, as well as how to troubleshoot them.