Cuban Link with Display Case
For my semester project, I created a Cuban Link with a display case to go along with it. I plan to wear it and use the display case to put it away when I am not wearing it.
The Display Case
Using the print page, I selected my preferences making sure to pick "Natural Wood." I enter the thickness of the wood that I used and I center the file on the Laser Cutting Program. I make sure the entire file fits in the cutter because the dimensions of the box are so big that it barely fit on the board I used for the box. The board couldn't be any bigger because it was the same size of the laser cutter itself.
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Using the Laser Cutter
The Stand
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Sketches
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Extrusions
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Fillets
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Outside Decals
I created a vinyl stencil to have a splatter on the outside with the word "finish" in the middle. As an somewhat "experienced" artist, I should've known the end result would not be as clean as most people would think it be, but I took my chances and went for it. The reason for the word "finish" is because that is the Waunakee Football motto going into the 2021 Fall Season.
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Assembling the Chain
Assembling the chain required a lot of force to create. Unfortunately, the chain didn't come out as planned. I started off with making a simple chain out of 14 gauge wire, but I soon realized I made the loops too big and it was too late to make them any smaller. In a last ditch attempt, I bought a 10 gauge chain already assembled to see if there was anyway I could manipulate it to twist into the link that I wanted it look like, but in the end, it would not budge, even when heat was applied. I believe that I did not use enough heat on the chain to twist it the way I needed it to. With the first attempt. I managed to make a temporary Franco Chain out of it. I can't find a way to make it into a permanent solution. During the summer, I would love to create a pendant for the second chain. I think the second chain could become something used in football, but that would be getting too cocky with other teams. I've been interested possibly making jewelry in the future as a hobby. I think I came into this a little too ambitious, I quickly found out why these these specific chains are so expensive. Building the display case was a fun process, I would love to find better ways to make it look more like something where jewelry can sit in and still bring attention the jewelry itself, but also bring it together with the box too.
Final Product
Summary
Personally, this semester was rough. I dawned it upon myself and set myself up for failure from the beginning of the semester. This is not something I should've put off. I'm content that the Display Case can hold my smaller chain, but am upset with myself for not taking this as seriously as I should've. That is not a representation of my character. The chain itself is something I would love to work on over the summer.
Aside from the disappointment I have in myself for this project, there was a lot of relearning for me to do. Using the equipment in the Innovation Center was tough for me. I got to work with some of the machines last year in IDEA, but COVID impacted me by not learning how to use the CNC Mill and the CNC Router. I would've loved to incorporate these machines into my project, but with the setting myself up for failure and the short amount of time I had, I stuck with the safe choice of using machines I have used before.
I learned that making jewelry isn't a walk in the park. Specifically this type of chain. The YouTube tutorials made it look so much easier than what it really is. I misjudged what type of equipment I could use while making this. I thought using a thinner wire would make it easier when in reality it didn't let me do the movements I needed it to. Using a pre made chain didn't help either.
Although the chain didn't go as planned, the Display case turned out pretty well. I like how it looks and will start putting my necklace here at night along with other misc. items around the bottom. Overall, this project was pretty fun to do. In my eyes it was stressful too, but that was my own fault due to the procrastination I brought upon myself.
Aside from the disappointment I have in myself for this project, there was a lot of relearning for me to do. Using the equipment in the Innovation Center was tough for me. I got to work with some of the machines last year in IDEA, but COVID impacted me by not learning how to use the CNC Mill and the CNC Router. I would've loved to incorporate these machines into my project, but with the setting myself up for failure and the short amount of time I had, I stuck with the safe choice of using machines I have used before.
I learned that making jewelry isn't a walk in the park. Specifically this type of chain. The YouTube tutorials made it look so much easier than what it really is. I misjudged what type of equipment I could use while making this. I thought using a thinner wire would make it easier when in reality it didn't let me do the movements I needed it to. Using a pre made chain didn't help either.
Although the chain didn't go as planned, the Display case turned out pretty well. I like how it looks and will start putting my necklace here at night along with other misc. items around the bottom. Overall, this project was pretty fun to do. In my eyes it was stressful too, but that was my own fault due to the procrastination I brought upon myself.