Laser Cut Market Day Projects

This was another project from our 2023 School Market Day.  In this example students combined their interest and enjoyment of Basketball and the NBA and designed items that were small enough to work in conjunction with Croc Shoes - jibbitz.  

These items were produced easily on the laser cutter and didn't take more than a few minutes to produce which the students were able to use by using the GIMP. The students created an NBA style jersey and then put a number associated with a particular popular player from that team.

We also had a another group of our senior students who used the industrial laser cutter to take a series of images and pictures and engrave them onto MDF as display pieces.   Some of these have local importance or significance to the students.

Once cut on the laser cutter the students then needed to wipe down the prints and prepare them for sale.  They opted to sell these as shown, without packaging or presenting them further.

Student Market Day - Laser Cut Tiles and Packaging

We have detailed on this blog in the past that the students at our school have the use of and access to a free standing Laser Cutter (an example of our school one is shown on the link here).   We have used this for a variety of projects such as coasters, or laser cut boxes for our school, and in particular this year for our School Market Day.

Another project that has been completed by our students is using the Laser Cutter to engrave on tiles - an example is shown left with the Piwakawaka shown left.   While the students did not create the image this in theory would be possible.  

We have a group of senior students using their use of the Laser Cutter to create MDF/Bamboo backing for the 3D Prints that the students from our junior classroom have created.   These prints (a mixture of original prints and online located and sourced) have then had the students use the Roland Versa Sign Maker to create
 a unique and creative sticker for this business.

You can see the full evolution of the packaging shown here on the left in a variety of designs from the classroom.

The MDF has been cut to a general size to suit the designs - the students have then used Pic collage and Brand Maker to create a logo themed for their business.   The Roland Versa Sign Maker has then printed the stickers which have been attached.   The MDP (which is 130mm wide) has then been decorated with dye as shown.

As always we feel compelled to mention that this is a junior class of students completing this work.  The students in New Zealand are Y3/4 which places their age as 8 and 9 year old students - many using technology that is mentioned with either support from senior students (who are Year 7 and Year 8) or using technology independently for the first time. 

One of the aspects of the students learning that we want to share is the process that the students have been through.  We have shown examples of the students completing this as we prepare for Market Day.

We have taken examples and printed these on another of our school resources our large HP Vinyl Printer.   These are then being mounted on corrugated cardboard and being put on display with the students work.   This will allow members of the public to view the entire process.

 

Laser Cut Project Ideas: Market Day Coasters

Challenge: To produce an item that can be sold by students to. the local community as part of our school Market Day 2023.

Background: One of the challenges for the students is balancing originality, design and students taking part in a process where they create something that ticks all the boxes.

These designs were created by a Y7 (11 year old) student who is experienced with the use of the Laser Cutter (this will be featured in detail in a seperate post about the hardware that is available).

The student in this case followed a simple project they identified a series of images or patterns that were online and free available.  As they were targeting several specific interests, such as a football team, the student located the logo of the team and used that.  

They then imported the images into Gimp for the image manipulation and then converted them for laser cutting.

The speed of the laser cutting into MDF meant that the time for each cut including the engraving on the design was 3-4 minutes so the entire sheet of designs shown left took less than half an hour.  

The design are shown as they have been removed from the laser cutter.  To seal them the student has the option of applying a sealant or an undercoat and then potentially spray painting the designs.   The student was able to complete the entire process from design to printing, removing and preparation in an afternoon.   They are then going to bundle these designs into groups for the selling on school Market Day.  The pricing of the designs is up to the student by using MDF for the designs instead of a more expensive wood (such as a bamboo) which is perfectly adequate for the designed purpose.