For this project, I wanted to create something unique and something that I reflects what I love. I love astronomy and my favorite planet is Saturn and it fits perfectly with the diamond shape.
I started by creating a simple sketch of what I wanted to cut and then created the shape on Adobe Illustrator.
After creating the shape, I cut out the design using the plasma cutter in the OEDK. The shape came out easily and I cut out three shapes from the steel.
The cut created sharp edges on the pieces, so I angle-grinded all three. Because the ring of Saturn was a thinner edge, I angle grinded half of the piece and then flipped it to grind the rest.
Next, I filed the edges of the pieces. I found it extremely difficult though to file the edges of the small cut outs. I used several different types of files such as tiny ones or rounded ones, but none that I used were able to smooth out the edge completely.
After filing, I decided not to use the sand-blaster because I liked the texture that the angle-grinded created because it reminded me of the strokes that I would see on the planet itself. I then went straight to planning to powder-coat. I knew I wanted to use two colors so I cut out vinyl pieces that I could tape over the certain parts I did not want to be coated.
I uploaded my design into the vinyl cutter and cut out a cover piece and individual pieces.
I started with an orange belt, which I think I should have instead started with the green and done the orange last. The first layer came out a little patchy and I was not happy with it. The issue with the vinyl was that it could not be put in the oven, so I would have to carefully remove the vinyl before setting it in the oven which would usually cause the powder to be shifted in some way.
I conducted a few layers of both green and orange on all three pieces, but each time the powder would be messed up somehow. (Transporting to wet lab, taking vinyl off, vinyl not holding that well and powder would get through).
Even so, I chose the best of the three pieces as my final ones shown below. I added the description of my process on the back of each piece with some tape.
Cost Summary:
Steel: $30 for 8×12 piece of steel
Plasma Cutter, Angle Grinder, File Use, and Vinyl Cutter: Free because it is within tuition for OEDK
Vinyl Sheet: $10 for 12×12 vinyl sheet
Powder Coating: $12.99 per bottle – > X2 for two bottles = $25.98
Labor: $7.25x 4 hours = $29
Total Cost: $94.98
Workspace: A student was powder-coating after me so I was not able to clean up the area. I did clean up some of the settled powder that I had left behind, but I was unable to get a photo of a completely clean workspace.
