Plasma cutting is a really amazing experience. It is a visual joy to see the plasma cutter cuts the aluminum into the pieces of a given shape, with sparks flying around. Technically speaking, the process of plasma cutting is quite similar to that of the laser cutting. They both require us to prepare the vector file and use certain computer program to control the cutter. We also need to “datum” the starting point of the cutting and set a suitable power and speed.
One thing to notice during the process of preparing the file is that the torchmate software downstairs is a student version and can not export file. We need to prepare an .edu file first and then export it on the profession version in the machine shop.
Notice that the state after plasma cutting is actually very crude, the edge is really rough.
To make it more beautiful, we have to do some post processing works.
My first post processing work is. I used a combination of different files to smooth the edge.
Another post processing tool I used is sand blaster. I want to thank Professor Wettergreen, Carlos and Danny to introducing this amazing post processing tool. The sand blaster using sand to literally “sand” the aluminum and add a beautiful “dull polish” touch to the face.
(Handsome Casey with cool Sandblaster!)
(Florida after filing and sand blaster)
After sanding my Florida again with Dremel and sand blaster, my next step is to add color to it with spray paint. I choose to use the spray paint with Metallic color. I also mask part of the Florida with the mask tape so that after painting it, I can have the letter “FL” on it.
However, I made a mistake after the painting process. : (
In order to get rid of the bubbles and unevenness on the piece, I chose to sand it. However, I didn’t wait long enough for the paint to dry totally. As a result, I peeled off the paint.
I tried to fix the problem by adding another layer of paint on top of the piece, but it made the problem even worse. The paint became too think and the paint stuck the piece on the cardboard. (sad face)
To fix the problem, I peeled off all the paint on the backside and even the paint of the front side with the help of Dremel and files and paint it all over! The process takes a long time as I nearly did my last process all over, but I think it’s worth the effort because by starting all over, I got a beautiful final effect!
Finally, I got my beautiful Florida. The back of it has three colors, blue (color of see) , black (color of the Miami Heat Jersey) and gold (Florida is shiny!) I also added a wiring touch on it by filing the surface at the same direction. Its front as the letter FL on it, with a special etching effect realized by spray painting another layer after taking mask tape off.
(Front and back of my Florida!)
