Kate Warford Project 2: Laser-Cut Tool Tote

Process. To construct this laser-cut tool tote, the original tool tote design created for Project 1 was modified in Fusion 360. The thickness of the material to be cut was accounted for, the joints that would join the pieces together were included, and the tote's length and height were slightly adjusted. A drawing in Fusion 350 was made that included a 1:1 scale line drawing of each piece of the tote. This drawing was imported into Adobe Illustrator, and the drawings were arranged in such a way that was compatible with the laser cutter (I obviously do not understand how these devices and software work (I am an art major)). After the components of the tool tote were cut, I gathered images that I wanted to engrave on my tote. I opened these in Illustrator, and created an individual layer for each image/text group. One by one, I laser-cut these into the tote. I had re-positioned the pieces to be engraved within their original pieces of wood, so the engravings would go in the correct places.

After this, I began assembly. I carefully applied wood glue to the edges of the pieces. I began with the center partition, since I figured it would be nearly impossible to slide that at the end on construction on account of the joints. I used the green tape pictured to hold the walls securely in place while the glue dried. 

I was using a damp, red rag to wipe away any excess glue. I saw a few red streaks here and there, and realized the rag was soaked with red dye. I decided to commit to this blush-stained look, since there was no undoing these stains.

Results. It is a tool tote. I am unfamiliar with the strength of a bond created with wood glue, but I doubt that this tool tote would be able to support as much weight as the one I made before it, which uses a combination of wood glue and screws. This material is also fairly thin, at .125 inches, so it might not hold up under intense weights (not that I foresee needing it to).

Reflection. I enjoyed using the laser cutter. It was exciting to see two-dimensional drawings come to life so quickly. As with my last project, I learned a few things through the construction process. For example, I learned that a little wood glue goes a long way. I learned that the burn marks created by the laser cutter can be wiped away with a little water. And, of course, I learned the basics of how to use the Zing laser cutter.