For this project, we were tasked with designing, plasma cutting, and post-processing a metal design of our choice within a small diamond cutout. I have used the plasma cutter before, but as for post-processing, I have never used many of these machines and techniques.
I started with my basic file design for my diamond. The shape and size of the diamond was determined by the file found on canvas, and I decided to use an unknown Pokémon inspired by the famous “Who’s that Pokémon” section of all the Pokémon episodes.
After getting the file ready and changing it to a DXF file, I uploaded it to plasma cutter, and after following the instructions, cutout two diamonds.
This is what both my diamonds looked like after plasma cutting. The next step was to get the angle grinder set up so that I could remove all the little bit on the sides of my cut. To use the angle grinder, I magnetized my piece to keep it in place, and angle grinded around the outside. I will say, my angle grinding skills can defiantly use work, and a mess up on my angle grinding is what I think caused a problem for me later down the line.
The next step was sand blasting, which isn’t that difficult and rather fun. I felt like a true engineer with the set-up. As seen above, I sand blasted both sides to remove impurities on the surface of the metal.
The next step after sand blasting for me was powder coating. This part takes a lot of set-up. A note for anyone working on this project in future years, make sure to both grab the air compressor when setting up, and make sure your paper clips are big enough so that your metal piece doesn’t fall off. I used pink as a hint for the possible Pokémon on the front. After coating, I left the pieces in the oven to finish my project.
This is what the final product looked like, as you can see, one side of the metal was messed up from what I believe was due to poor angle grinding. You can see in the powder coat places where I likely went to deep, leading to a interesting pattern left on the back side. In all, I used 3 techniques of post processing: angle grinding, sand blast, and powder coating. Even still, I am very proud of the final product, and even have a plan to continue editing the one I get to take home father into an even cooler project.
How much did this project cost?
- Raw materials
- Tools (from the oedk)
- plasma cutter
- sand blaster
- powder coating equipment
- Labour
- $14/hour on par with my current OEDK pay
- ~7 hours: $98
Total: $126.61
Clean work space
