Here we have another project I underestimated. I knew it would be difficult after hearing that sentiment from different sources, but I ran into so many problems and spent a lot of time trying to finish this assignment. An unfortunate series of events led to me leaving the OEDK a little before 2 AM Monday morning. The only thing I thought would be easy about this project was making the file, and even that was troublesome. I started on Friday by downloading the provided diamond file from Canvas, changing the fill to a stroke, and adding my initials.
Original file
When I went to use the machine on Saturday, someone was using it. So I grabbed my laptop and started working on another assignment in the machine shop while I waited. Interestingly, a queue of about 5 people was behind me to use the plasma cutter. I started following the instructions, but when I got to the final part to cut, my piece was very scaled up. Other students around me helped me realize that I had to scale it down in the first step – shoutout to them. However, despite resizing, the final Torchmate layout was still very big. We couldn’t figure it out, and there were no lab techs around to help us. I didn’t want to hold up the line, so I went back to the computer lab to try and fix my file, but I had to leave for an event. Shoutout to Ibrahim for offering to help me with my file!
After dinner, I came back to the OEDK, and there was an even longer line than in the morning. I wrote my name on the list and went to the computer lab to work on other assignments. At last, my time came. I got to the computer in the machine shop, and the file I had made still didn’t work. I went through many frustrating trials and errors until I got my final file.
My many files, some expressing hope or despair
Final file in Torchmate
Once the file was done, it was time to cut. I jogged the plasma cutter and made sure to do a test cut first before committing. It took 3 tries for me to get my first full M. This was because the large metal piece was becoming warped, so I used a concrete block to flatten it. Unfortunately, it also took me 3 tries to get my second M.
After drying the pieces, I put the 4 unfinished Ms in my crate and started angle grinding the final Ms. Next, I filed my pieces and sandblasted them. Finally, I spray-painted them, and in the end, I realized how many post-processing things I did. Also shoutout to Cassidy for inspiring me with her set up.
Spray-painting set-up
Sandblasted pieces
The final product
The pieces and the files I used
Of course, I left my workspaces as clean or cleaner than I found them.
Now for the cost:
- Labor: 7 hours * $15/hour = $105
- Steel: ~25 square inches, at Lowe’s a 24×48 sheet is $41.97 which is about 4 cents a square inch so –> $0.91 for the steel(2 diamonds)
- Spray Paint: 1 can is $7.98 at Lowe’s and I estimate I used a tenth of the can so –> $0.80
- Machine Time: According to Xometry, using a plasma cutter is about $15/hour so –> 4*15= $60
Total Cost: $166.71
If I’m being honest, this assignment makes me not want to use a plasma cutter for a very, very long time. It also makes me wonder what the pros are for this machine because I see a lot of cons. Overall, it is very cool to have cut out a piece of metal that I designed – the world’s first GOLD DIAMONDDD!
