For this project, we learned to turn 2D SVGs into CNC-ed workable pieces. Normally, I would have looked around on the Noun Project site, but I already had a symbol that I wanted to make. I simply picked up my SVG from the internet and went into the Carbide Motion application.

I then followed the steps given to us of setting the dimensions, material, and endmill for this piece, which was the 1/8″. I then gave the original image a pocket cut to hollow it out by 1/8″ to allow for resin later. There was then an outline made to the image, which would be my contour line, which would cut the piece out in theory (spoilers, it didn’t). I also gave it 4 tabs so it wouldn’t go flying after it finished.

I set up on the Nomad 3 as it was relatively simple, I homed the endmill and let it run, taking a total of ~36 minutes for two of these symbols after a little fidgeting. I made sure to have a sacrificial piece under my work piece, attached by double-sided tape and snugly attached to the cutting bed. After the cutting was done, the piece was still attached, as apparently the wood piece I had was not planed, and I did not know I had to plane it. As such, I had to go to the bandsaw and cut off the excess still on it.

I then sanded them, removing bulk excess with 80 grit, then smoothing it over with 120, then 320 grit. This was just to smooth it over, as I would then prime it with some Krylon black spray so the resin would not stain it too bad.

Starting out, I got the A and B mix and the colors, which I ended up using ruby! However, due to the pigment ending up being darker than I thought and the black primer, it did not come out fully as it should have. It was also more difficult to get the resin to enter the holes than I imagined, specifically the contour created inside the file (the hole that was not the wings or blood drop on the file), as it filled up quicker than I imagined and ended up seeping out a little, which ended up ruining my pieces a little. This is seen more on the right one than the left, as I then tried to go back and clean it up with a towel…. it did not work. You live, and you learn…. and I learned that 1. a better container should be used to pour out into small holes, 2. the dang resin is too viscous to be pipetted but not viscous enough to accurately control the pour into a small hole, which is very unfortunate, and 3. I should have used a brighter and vibrant color for the resin. All in all, given it was my first time doing this, I think I did relatively well, especially with the CNC and priming the piece and its post-processing. The resin did not go as planned, as it was basically my first time playing around with it.

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