Make Laser-cut Puzzles

Learn to use TinkerCAD and online puzzle generators to design your own custom puzzles. Engrave and cut small puzzles out of any material with the Makerspace’s Glowforge Plus. This workshop is an advanced hands-on introduction to designing for lasercutting.

Participants will receive a walkthrough on how to find complex lasercutting files online, import, modify and export them.

The workshop will proceed with a walkthrough for designing an original puzzle in TinkerCAD and exporting it for lasercutting. We will address pertinent vocabulary words and how to optimize a balance between TinkerCAD's strengths and weaknesses.

Additional topics include Library and external resources, best practices for modeling, and various tips and tricks to optimize the lasercutter's performance.

Objectives

• Have a working grasp of Lasercutting vocabulary (i.e. SVGs vs JPGs, Power vs Speed, Passes, Cut, Engrave, Score, etc.).
• Be able to export, import, and utilize SVG and JPG files in your design.
• Be able to compose a simple puzzle in TinkerCAD and cut it with a Glowforge Plus.
• Educate students on Library Resources for designing and lasercutting.