Top secret lab internships are really interesting, especially ones with expensive CNC machine tools that you get to learn how to operate. I've been working hard on a test project to turn the UC Davis seal 2D image into a 3D solid model and machine out of aluminum. This is just step one of the project. Well more so steps 1 through 3 with probably 5 or so more steps to go. I first created the solid model in SolidWorks which was then imported into Esprit 2010 CAM software to generate the tool paths to machine in aluminum stock. Once the NC code was generated I ran on one of the small 3 axis linear motor CNC machines.The next step in the project is to scale it down to smaller sizes. Right now it is about the size of a coffee mug (~70mm) and the goal is to get it down to the size of a cufflink between 10-15mm. And there's more. The next goal is to create the negative form of this so that it can be used on a die sinker EDM machine to die sink into titanium cufflinks. Im not sure how well this is going to go; I'm imagining a lot of frustration. Anyway, enjoy the pictures.
