Objective: To create two diamond-shaped steel pieces by using a plasma cutter and post-processing
Resources:
- 1/8″ x 10″ x 10″ steel sheet
- Blue Powder Coating Powder
- 8.5″ x 11″ paper (QR Code)
Tools Used:
- Adobe Illustrator (To set cut dimensions and transfer SVG file to the plasma cutter)
- Plasma Cutter (To cut the steel sheet)
- Angle Grinder (To get rid of the slag)
- Filer (To smoothen the corners)
- Sand Blaster (To sand down the steel diamond)
- Powder Coating Gun/Powder Coating Oven (To color the steel diamond)
- Printer (To print out the QR code
- Double-Sided Tape (To attach the QR code)
Operation Costs:
- 1 hour of plasma cutting
- 1 hour of angle grinding, filing, and sandblasting
- 12.5 in^3 of steel
- 30 mins of powder coating
Operation Rewards:
- Two diamond-shaped steel pieces with Oshawatt (Pokémon) cut outs
- Proficiency in using the plasma cutter, angle grinder, and sand blaster
Process:
- Plasma Cut
- Angle Grind
- File
- Sandblast
- Powder Coat
Reconnaissance:
Photo of the Plasma Cutter at work (so much sparks!)
Initial Cuts. The plasma cutter cut the outside diamond before cutting the inside cutout, so the top left diamond fell into the water before the plasma cutter could cut the diamond. The other diamonds moved slightly, resulting in imperfect diamonds.
Second Cuts. These came along much better because I made sure that the steel sheet was placed on areas of the plasma cutter that would support the diamonds.
A horde of Oshawotts has appeared!
Final product after angle grinding, filing, sand blasting, and powder coating (extensive process)! The diamonds feel relatively soft and smooth from the powder coating.
A close up of the powder coating. It is easy to tell where the diamond was connected by the wire during the powder coating process.
