Printing CAD designs on a laser cutter

Our Truckbot design was custom done using Solid Works. Since it was our first time using the program we had a ton to learn. After a while it got easier but the best thing we did was start printing out early prototypes before getting too far along. This quick fabrication method pointed a number of flaws that we didn’t recognize when doing the assembly in the CAD program.

Here is our very first cut with some help from Dharma, who worked at the Tech Shop in Menlo Park.

We made plenty of mistakes in our early designs, and with using the laser in general. Cardboard from the recycle bin was terrific for fleshing out early revisions and learning the process.

Feel free to download our designs to help get you started. We’d love to see what you can make so share them in the comments.

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