When I first started experimenting with the CNC router at my school, I thought it would be a fun way to create 3D props and art pieces. Once I got a grip on what I was doing, I began teaching other students how to use the machine and using my skills to assist with others’ projects. This was great until I had multiple deadlines coming up and was forced to pause my CNC work. However, this didn’t stop the occasional class or request to cut something out. The requests didn’t bother me, as they gave me an opportunity to take a break and focus on something I enjoyed for a short time, just to keep my mind off whatever deadline I had coming up. As I said, this was fine until I was asked to cut out over 60 wooden hooks when I had a deadline coming up in just a few days.
This wouldn’t have been a big deal; just create a file and cut a bunch at once, that’s what I thought, so I gladly accepted. However, I soon regretted this after the hooks began snapping while being cut. The process itself took over three days of me staying late after hours. When I finally finished, I was very relieved and even made my deadline. The next couple of weeks passed with no complications, and I was able to focus on my project. As the school year was coming to an end and it was just about time to go on my class’s annual school trip, I was told that a younger student needed more than 50 figures for a presentation. I started to panic. Luckily, the student happened to be one that I had been teaching. Together, we sat down and created a file that he could just load on the machine, and with the help of a teacher, I was able to go on my trip, and the student was able to cut everything he needed.
The Learning Repository 