• Cad file done. now onto CAM

    Jordan • 05/24/2015 at 04:56 • 0 comments

    the Cad file is now done, thanks to the input from fiverr. if you need a model like this, I can recommend eirikra on fiverr - http://share.fiverr.com/ebucz9ov192

    Now I am onto CAM. This is going to be an interesting procedure, as the CNC machine doesn't have a tool changer, so it is important to order the processes flow so it is easy to keep the zero. I think we will use the 1/2" to dig out the backplane( the black and blue blade swoosh) and then use the 1/16th engraver to write the text and cut out the stars. after that, we will use the long 1/4" ball nose to get the detail on the blade and the hands and the two planets. this is going to take a lot of machine time, but i think it will be epic. we are shooting to have it done for next weekend. Now we just need a place to show it. I'm sure we will find somewhere to take in this little bit of awesomeness.

  • When you can't, pay someone

    Jordan • 05/23/2015 at 23:28 • 0 comments

    I tried the 3d scanning deal, and at only the cost of an used xbox 360 kinect($25 at your local gamestop,) I am glad i did, but the results where not good enough. Perhaps if i had the fuel3d Scanify it would have been awesome, but at 1300, as the usd to euro goes, it wasn't that much work.

    So, I utilized http://Fiverr.com i hired 2 people to model the hands and light saber and it cost me under $50. They are supposed to be done by tomorrow, but i got the first picture back today

    and there is no way my CAD skills could have done this so quickly. i asked for a revision, as its not quite the match i was hoping for, but its a great start. Once o get that into my file, I can start working on the CAM side of things. I am excited.

    edit - i got the rough from the second person.

    I am eagerly awaiting a finished model to go forward.

  • IceIceMaybe.com

    Jordan • 05/18/2015 at 00:37 • 0 comments

    Ice Lab is the Ice sculpture I am working with on this project. Here is a previous project we did together. the deathstar is made of ice, it is 26" in diameter

  • The path of the Jedi

    Jordan • 05/16/2015 at 02:26 • 0 comments

    we are going to use black colored sand to make the backplane, and mix in a neon blue to show the lightsaber's path, we can mill out say an 1/8th to a 1/4" gradient

    Also, we are going to see if glitter will help light it up too.

    the stars we are are to just make small holes and fill them with white sand. If we can find a bull nose endmill to do this, it would be awesome

    the Hands. I hate CADing human anatomy in rhino. Which means i probably should, but i am too lazy, so I'm going to 3d scan a person holding a lightsaber to make the hands. I will probably have to fix it up, because scanning is still not great, at least for my budget, but it beats trying to CAD it from scratch.

    I am going to try two methods, a kinect scanner with ReconstructMe software, and the 123d Catch app on my android phone. I think the Scanner will do much better, but we will find out.

    once i get that models, i'll resize it, and probably have to flatten it a bit to use the smaller bit to get the detail in the hands i'll want. I'll also have to model the streaks coming from the knuckles too, that shouldn't be too hard.

    I've already got everything CADed up except the hands, so this weekend i am going to try to get the 3d scanner working on my laptopt, and go from there.

    I'm excited about this.