Hello!!

For this CNC machining assignment, I wanted to make something that felt personal something that connects back to where I’m from. I started browsing The Noun Project for inspiration, searching for symbols that reminded me of home. That’s when I came across a simple and elegant lotus design and I immediately knew it was the one.

The lotus has a lot of meaning in South Indian culture. It’s a sacred symbol tied to purity, strength and spiritual growth. I’ve seen it throughout my life in temple carvings, during festivals, and in traditional art. It’s always stood out to me because of how it grows out of the mud but still manages to bloom beautifully. That message has always stuck with me, so choosing this design felt like a quiet way to honor that part of who I am.

Once I had the design, I downloaded the .svg file and opened it in Carbide Create. My wood piece measured 6 inches by 3.5 inches with a thickness of 0.7874 inches, so I plugged those values into the software. I scaled the lotus design to be around 3 inches by 3.5 inches to meet the size requirements, then added a simple outline around it. I also placed three tabs to keep the piece in place while cutting. For the toolpaths, I set the lotus details to be pocket cuts and the outer edge as a full-depth contour cut.

Machining on the shapeoko pro

Although I’ve worked with both the Shapeoko Pro and the Nomad 3, I went with the Nomad 3 this time since I’m more comfortable with it. I used a ⅛” end mill for the entire job, given the relatively straightforward design. To protect the machine, I placed a thin sheet of scrap wood beneath my workpiece and used tape to secure everything firmly.

After exporting my toolpath to Carbide Motion, I set up the corner probe, zeroed the bit, and ran the cut. I did need to pause midway through to vacuum out the sawdust the Nomad doesn’t have a built-in vacuum system but otherwise, the process went smoothly. Once the first cut was complete, I repeated the steps for a second piece.

Sanding and Polishing

After machining, I gently broke off both lotus pieces and began the post-processing phase. I used 280-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface and clean up the tab areas, followed by 320-grit for a softer finish. I wanted the natural beauty of the wood to stand out, so instead of adding resin or paint, I opted for a simple polish using beeswax.

I’d used beeswax before in my box-making project and loved the finish it gives. It warmed up the tone of the wood beautifully and made the lotus feel even more organic and timeless just like the traditional wooden crafts I’ve admired growing up.

Reflection

This ended up being one of my favorite pieces from the course not just because the cut came out clean, but because the lotus carries a personal story for me. It’s a symbol I’ve seen all my life, from prayer rooms to architecture, and now I’ve recreated it myself, with my own hands, using modern tools and the most amazing part of the wood is that, one of them is scented. There’s something really special about that blend of tradition and technology.

Cost & Time Breakdown