Laser Cut Projects: Photoframe

Challenge: Independent design activity from a senior (Year 7 and Year 8 student) creating something original using Sketch Up.

Background: Student was looking for ideas for a project and saw some of the off cuts from another students projects.    The student then decided that this would be the basis for an original project.   The student wanted to create a layered effect with the laser cutter to produce a series of layers to create a frame for a regulation photograph (as shown left).   

The design process was based around the corner pieces (which were a series of circles) with the addition of the three layers of the print.

The project was then joined and put together with wood glue and set.   

Level of Difficulty: Low - the student was able to create and execute this project completely independently.  They had previously worked on more complicated projects but these had been very detailed with the student following a teachers set of videos as shown in this post.

Timeframe: Five minute.  This task potentially could be completed by a full classroom with the variation provided by the corners of the frame - the decoration of the MDF./Bamboo is another potential for some variation.

Size: The current frame as shown in the photograph 150mm across and 200mm high.   Each of the layers of the from is 5mm thick so 15mm before the final corner edging.

What we would do differently/next steps for the students: As noted the student was responsible for the design and execution of the project.   They currently have no stand at the back which could potentially be developed but otherwise the project is complete.   We completed 3D Printed versions of a stand in 2018 the details of which can be located here.

3D Printed: Photo Frame Stand

Above: the design photoframe shown with stands

Challenge: To produce a stand for a photograph.    The frame has been laser cut to a students design.  This is a display piece for our Schools Lamb and Pet Day, where we have a significanat number of parents and visitors to our school to see students display work.
Background:   As part of the this annual display at our school we have traditionally had a photographic display.   To enhance the presentation of the photographs, which have traditionally been presented stapled to the wall, the school made the decision to print frames for the photographs, using the Schools Laser Cutter.   Once the frame had been created we needed to find a way to have the photograph stand for display purposes.   Initially we searched for a basic stand, relative to the size of a regular photograph, that would be able to use to have it stand up.    Once we had the frame produced it became obvious that two of the stands would

be required to hold up the photograph.
Level of Difficultly: Low - this was a free sourced design that we needed to produce in large numbers in a relatively short timeframe.  As a result of this the usual process of prototyping and problem solving was not completed.   We ideally would have liked the opportunity to produce original work - but it was not feasible.
Timeframe: Each of the inidividual stands have a forty minute timeframe to complete, obviously multiplied by the number of stands required.   The stands themselves are hollow as can be seen in the photograph shown on the left.

Size: The design has a width of 90mm.  It was 35mm high.   The thickness of the design was 5mm across.   We could have look at modifiying the size of the stand to hold more weight.  Some of the laser cut frames were particularly large and needed additional support.
What would we do differently/next steps for students:   
We had a very short time frame to complete the design and produce the stand.   In normal process we would undertake a significant amount of testing and checking relative to the strength of the 3D Print to achieve the best result for the size of the print - in this case it was not possible.   We also allowed the studenst to have some freedom with the width and height of the laser cut design, and while this was produced in MDF Wood, so it was relatively light, it also meant that producing a stand was challenging.