As a group, we went through our timetable for the next few weeks and worked out how many hours we had left until our deadline. Knowing the time limit, we could then decide what to do each day, and the order of which we can do it in. I took charge of my pair today and wrote down a timetable to stick to in the next few weeks, I feel I did well today and used my initiative to think of the order of what to do to complete the orrery on time.
17/02/10:
Plan for today:
- use laser cutter to cut out black acrylic
- use laser cutter to cut out plywood base
- find wooden balls for planets on internet
- research planet colours
Problems- Why the Plan Changed and Why:
Our acrylic hadn't arrived, so we couldn't cut it out on the laser cutter. Instead, we decided to cut out our plywood base but the laser cutter was being used, so we used the Scroll Saw. As a pair, Jas and I decided that although the Scroll Saw isn't as precise, we thought we should use the time well and get something else finished and out of the way.
I had to use goggles, tie my hair back and take off my scarf to cut out the wood using the scroll saw to prevent hurting myself.
I worked well today and used my initiative as I changed the plan to use my time well. This worked out well as I got this out of the way and improved my confidence using the Scroll saw.
24/02/10:
Plan for today:
- order paint for planets - find out which colours are already in school, search what colours we need
- find a Sun on internet between 7-9cm in diameter
- drill 6mm holes into planets for dowels
With the acrylic still not arrived, we decided to decorate the planets today as we had a full day of practical work, and we felt if we did something else, we would waste valuable time.
3/03/10
The black matte thick acrylic has arrived! Using 2D Design, Jas and I designed the layout for the concentric circles. To check that each planet would not be touching each other, but still have it not too big that it wouldn't be too big to fit in the laser cutter, we used a slab of wood and drilled the right sized holes for the dowels to fit in, using the same size scale as we would on the acrylic.
As the paints we ordered had not arrived yet, we used the paint already in school and improvised as good as we could. They didn't have all the colours, so hopefully next week they will arrive and we will be able to finish all of them.
Next week, we'll have to cut all the materials out using the laser cutter.
I did well again today by eing independant and getting what I could done. I am proud of the painted planets and have improved my painting and patience skills by doing so. We are quite behind the schedule and this is frustrating me. Unfortunately this was due to deliveries not arriving on time and delaying the process. I have learnt not to rely too much on other things and not let it get it to me. This is a new skill I can apply to work next time.
3/03/10
Plan for today:
- decorate the rest of the planets
- get 12mm thick wooden dowels
- cut acrylic out using laser cutter
- use laser cutter to cut out plywood base
Now that the paints we ordered are in, we can decorate the ones we couldn't last week. The acrylic still hasn't arrived, so we won't be able to cut it out, so we just focused on perfecting all the planets and we have painted the 12mm thick dowels black to blend in and become more 'space-like'.
I am proud to have finished all the planets and have gained more patience as I had to wait for each coat of paint to dry before painting another layer.
10/03/10:
Plan for today:
- use laptop to design concentric circles for laser cutter
- set up laser cutter to cut out acrylic
- familiarise self with settings
- practice cuting acrylic on laser cutter
- cut out wooden base with laser cutter
The black matte thick acrylic has arrived! Using 2D Design, Jas and I designed the layout for the concentric circles. To check that each planet would not be touching each other, but still have it not too big that it wouldn't be too big to fit in the laser cutter, we used a slab of wood and drilled the right sized holes for the dowels to fit in, using the same size scale as we would on the acrylic.
After not being satisfied, I told Jas and Sir and he suggested that if we wanted it bigger, we could do so, but just have to glue two halves together and I thought it would be best. Knowing this, we knew we would need two layers, each 45 degrees from each other so the joints would fit in.
I am happy with what I have completed today and feel I worked well and independantly. I brought new ideas to the table and improved the project by increasing the size.
Next Wednesday, our last day, we will need to cut the acrylic out from the laser cutter using the 2D Design we created. We will then have to glue them together and cut out a plywood base. Then adding the finishing touches like yellow stars and making the writing on the acrylic stand out.
17/03/10:
Plan for today:
- cut out thick black acrylic on laser cutter
- cut out shiny black acrylic on laser cutter
- stick all acrylic together
- use laser cutter to cut out yellow stars
- glue, using hot glue gun, the stars to the acrylic
Our last day. We used double tape to stick each cut out acrylic piece to another, and I made sure they all fitted perfectly on top of each other.
I have cut out yellow stars and will use Araldite to stick them on to the matte black acrylic and I have also cut out the plywood base and glued the plywood base to the acrylic. We could use double tape because it is quick and clean, and good for large pieces to be stuck to others. On the other hand, we could use Araldite as it could be potentially stronger, but we will decide next week.
I worked really well today by using the laser cutter and understanding the machinery involved. This helped me to use the laser cutter for today and future times.
The safety precautions I have taken out today include: tying my hair back, wearing safety goggles, taking off extra garments (scarf,etc.) and rolling my sleeves up. These are mainly when I use machinery like the scroll saw and drill, etc.
24/03/10:
Plan for today:
- finishing touches!
I have: glued the shiny black acrylic to the matte black acrylic for strength as they are in half to fit in the laser cutter, glued the outer border of acrylic to the wooden plywood base and also used a hot glue gun to stick on the yellow stars. We used this instead of Araldite for precision and as it was quick. We also used the hot glue gun to stick the acrylic border to the plywood base for speed and reliability.
If I were to re-do this whole project, I would not rely on other people, e.g: orders from companies, and I would try not to be so 'hung up' on sticking to the plan - and get what I could done and use the time well. Having said this, I am really pleased with both the final project, and the new skills I have learnt and skills I have improved.
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