UW Makerspace
where limits don't exist
Ugly Lamp
Ugly Lamp
Ugly Lamp
Ugly Lamp

Ugly Lamp

Ugly Lamp Maker Group

In this Maker Group we’ll build a lamp, it may or may not be ugly, but we’ll work together to:

  • design the lamp in CAD (OnShape).
  • use a CNC router to cut out the wooden base parts.
  • use a laser cutter to cut out the MDF arms.
  • use a 3D printer to fabricate the lamp shade and adjustment knobs.
  • make simple electrical connections to power the light.

Through this Maker Group you’ll notice a few themes:

  • Design for modularity. If you make separate parts it’s easier to fix/learn along the way.
  • Tolerances. Hint, 3D printed parts are not exactly the same size as the CAD model.
  • When to make 3D printed parts and when 2d parts are faster and cheaper.

Time & Costs

This Maker Group will meet once a week for 7 sessions. You will need to put in a few more hours each week designing and fabricating the lamp.

To use the equipment in the Makerspace (3D printers, Laser Cutter, CNC router) you’ll need to pay the CoE Shops Materials Fee ($50)

Lamp Materials:

  • Wooden Base = Probably free, we’ll provide scrap plywood.
  • MDF Arms = Probably free, we’ll provide scrap MDF.
  • 3D Printed Lamp Shade & Knobs = About $10 of PLA
  • A few nuts, bolts, and screws = about $1, purchased at the Makerspace Mini-Mart
  • Wire & Switch = about $1   Free, Instructor Provided
  • LED light = $10-25   Free, Instructor Provided

Jump to:

Session 1: Introductions

Session 2: Making the Wood Base on the CNC Router

Session 3: Laser Cut Arms

Session 4: Adjustment Knobs

Session 5: The Lamp Shade

Session 6: Making Electrical Connections

Session 7: Share Your Lamp

 

Session 1 : Introductions

Date: February 26
Time: 3:00 – 4:00

In this session we’ll cover:

  1. Introduce the Makerspace Staff ( 5 min )
  2. Meet the other makers in the group (5 min )
  3. Talk about how this Maker Group is structured ( 3 min )
  4. Cover the tools and technologies we’ll use during the project ( 10 min )
    1. CAD ( OnShape )
    2. CNC Routing ( x – Carve )
    3. Laser Cutting (ULS)
    4. 3D Printing (FDM / Ultimaker)
    5. Electronics (wiring the light source)
  5. CAD the first part of the project; the plywood base.
    1. Hardware Reference, 1/4-20 hex head bolt (McMaster)
    2. Hardware Reference, #10 wood screw (McMaster)

To prepare for this session:

Full Lamp
Wood Base Joint
Top Drawing 1
Leg w- Hole Drawing 1
Birch Plywood Thickness

Session 2 : Making the wood base on a CNC router

Date: March 5
Time: 3:00 – 4:00

In this session we’ll cover:

  1. Exporting a 2D file (.dwg) for a 3D CAD file. ( 10 minutes )
  2. How a CNC router works ( 10 minutes )
    1. A bit about router bits.
  3. Creating tool paths in Easel ( 10 minutes )
  4. Reserving a time at the Makerspace to use the x-Carve router. (3 minutes)
  5. Trouble shooting your project.

To prepare for this session:

Wood Base
Parts Cut on x-Carve router
x-Carve Tool Kit Bits

Session 3 : Laser Cut Arms

Date: March 12
Time: 3:00 – 4:00

In this session we’ll cover:

  1. CAD the Arms. ( 20 minutes )
  2. Create and assembly. (5 minutes )
  3. Exporting a 2D file (.dwg) for a 3D CAD file.
  4. How a Laser Cutter works ( 10 minutes )
  5. Prepping an Illustrator file to Laser Cut ( 10 minutes )
  6. How to get the Laser Cutter upgrade to use the laser cutter in the Makerspace. (This is separate 1 hour training)
  7. Trouble shooting your project.

To prepare for this session:

  • You don’t have to wait to get the Laser Cutter upgrade. See “Permit Upgrade and Use” here.
Arm Drawing 1

Session 4 : Adjustment Knobs

Date: March 19
Time: 3:00 – 4:00

In this session we’ll cover:

  1. CAD the adjustment knobs. ( 20 minutes )
  2. Create an assembly. (5 minutes )
  3. Exporting a 3D file (.stl) for a 3D printing.
  4. How to use prepare a 3D print job in Cura. ( 10 minutes )
  5. How make a reservation to 3D print the part.
  6. Trouble shooting your project.

To prepare for this session:

Full Lamp
Adjustment Knob Detail
Adj Knob_Part Drawing

Session 5 : The Lamp Shade

Date: April 2
Time: 3:00 – 4:00

In this session we’ll cover:

  1. CAD the lamp shade. ( 30 minutes )
    1. Molding the lampshade.
    2. Adding attachment points for the LED light source.
  2. Create an assembly. (5 minutes )
  3. Exporting a 3D file (.stl) for a 3D printing.
  4. 3D print orientation considerations. ( 10 minutes )
  5. Trouble shooting your project.

To prepare for this session:

  • Here is some lamp shade inspiration. (optional)
InSideShade@0,25x

Session 6 : Making Electrical Connections

Date: April 9
Time: 3:00 – 4:00

In this session we’ll cover:

  1. What components we’ll use.
    1. LED ring
    2. Switch
    3. Stranded wire
    4. Heat shrink tubing
  2. Good solder joint demonstration. (but practice makes perfect)
  3. Checking connections with a multi-meter.
  4. How to make a reservation to use the electronics area at the Makerspace.
  5. Trouble shooting your project.

To prepare for this session:

  • Pick up the kit of components at the Makerspace. Details TBD.

Session 7 : Share Your Lamp

Date: April 16
Time: 3:00 – 4:0makin0

In this session we’ll cover:

  1. Show the rest of the group your lamp.
  2. Questions? Reflections?

To prepare for this session:

  • Take high quality photos and video of your lamp. Upload them to this Google Folder.