The journey started when we were trained by Dr. Wettergreen. It was a fun time and he emphasized always following instructions and figuring things wrong and fixing them.

First I chose my icon at the noun project website. It looked something like this

I went to the woodshop to cut 4 identical pieces just in case something is messed up.

Next, I used Carbide create to modify the file. I basically had another line so that I have 3 cuts. The first 2 cuts were the inside ( depth 0.2 inches) then the outside all the way through.

After jogging everything, it was time to cut. I found out that there was not any double sided tape so I used a lot single sided one but failed miserably.

The cut could barely start and the wood would move. I tried different types of single tape and it did not work. Finally, I came back after a few days and I cut another 4 pieces of wood these were the final available in the oedk at the time for that thickness.

All good right?

No!

My problems were just getting started. I started the cut and it would not cut the whole piece out. Not only that but it wasn’t cutting all the way through.

The 2 pieces above would not cut all the way through and the ones below would not even complete the cut.

I scrutinized the file and made sure I increase the depth of cut by 0.1 inches whilst adding a piece at the bottom so that the machine won’t cut the base. I added a few vectors because the third shape was not closed and it resulted in errors. My cut was ready.

One minor change I also made was to vacuum every 2 minutes so that the cut wood would not interfere with the cut.

My cuts were done. I went downstairs and sanded them down and my pieces had never been smoother.

I went outside the oedk and spray painted with black paint. It was amazing!

Cost Analysis
16 pieces of wood cut and 14 thrown away after the wrong cut cost  = $2
Black paint ~15mL =$1
CNC Mill 3h $40/h * 3h = $120
Labor 16h @ $15/hr = $240

Labor and Machine Time: $363

What a life!