First Semester Final!

School comes to an end at last. However, this is just a separation from the educational institutions for about 3 weeks, so that each student might partake in all the holidays have to offer. As such, this will be the final post for some time. Anyway, on to business in explaining what we have learned, what went well this semester, and what could have gone better. There is no essential question of this week.

This semester, I have learned quite a multitude of things. First, I learned basic shop safety and how to operate varying tools. Next, it was MIG welding, using angled iron and sheet metal to construct a grill, two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures on AutoCAD along with other rudimentary skills, learning the steps to make CNC Router art on wood, the usefulness and properties of different metals, how to design teardrop trailers and then turn them into reality, and finally how to use the plasma cutter to create fire pits and other metal art. And even then, I have only scratched the surface of all that we learn day-to-day that occurs due to trial and error.

In my opinion, it is a good choice to look at what went well first so you might not be discouraged when you see how good you did compared to poor. As it is, what went well this year was all the personal progress I made in class and the fun I had. I got to try almost all of the major tools of the shop, minus two. I also gained useful muscle memory is grinding, welding, metal cutting, and some intimate AutoCAD knowledge. I also had fun while doing all of this most days. Not all went to plan of course, though.

Next is the negative aspect of all the work completed, or lack of. What went rather poorly is the projects I myself attempted (or my group) did not always get completed. The grill was a rather poor attempt for us n00bz to create an intricate piece of metal art when we weren't even good enough. And due to several complications of my own fault, the CNC Router piece I started did not get finished as plan. I hope things will go better next time.

Anyway, all that has happened is in the past and with next semester, I can start fresh and new. I look forward to the break and what will come next year (2015, of course. Not a new school year).

Dr. Nebula, signing off!

Week #15 -- The Ring of Fire

Another week dies as fast as it was born. I have been assigned to a companion project rather than the teardrop trailer, which was something I was aiming for. My project, the metal fire rings, involves a combination of AutoCAD and cooperation with a small group of my peers. This week was focused on committing work and heart to these projects, with an essential question to boot.

Monday centered around a challenge (we have a lot of these) for the class. We tried to figure out how to optimise a 10-foot by 4-foot piece of 16 gauge sheet metal to make the most fire rings. We all set to work and found it best to make each fire ring two pieces welded together, rather than once piece. Of course, there was scrap. Tuesday and Wednesday involved learning the basics of the plasma cutter and how to make letters for our rings that the cutter could actually recognise. Thursday was taking a stab at learning how to put images in AutoCad and make them able to be cut be the plasma cutter.

This week also had an essential question: What ways are there to use clean energy/gas?

First, there are solar panels. Solar panels convert sunlight into usable and clean energy. It even lets the user save energy to use for later. Often, the prices are lower, too. Next is wind power. The name is self-explanatory, as wind power turns a giant fan to make electricity. The only limitation is location, as some areas cannot fit the large fans, or not enough wind can generate power. Lastly, methane gas is a possible way for clean fuel in vehicles. As it is a natural gas and human waste or compost can easily converted to it, this is one of the more optimal choices. Too bad it isn't that appealing.

Above is an image of an example of a fire ring, as our group doesn't have any built yet.

Week #14 -- Companion Complications and Trailer Tribulations

Week fourteen is going, going...gone! Thus ends the week before Thanksgiving Break. All students are ultimately looking forward to a much needed rest from school (teachers, too). However, this week was full of exciting work, too. Monday watching the show Modern Marvels: Aluminum. This video gave all students an overview on the history, properties, and value of aluminum in modern society. I was assisting someone on Tuesday, and was not present. Thursday involved using AutoCAD to make a base/trailer for the cabin itself. I was called once more for a meeting in the office, therefore I didn't get very far. I also got assigned to a companion project: Fire Pits!

This week's essential question was: what makes aluminum so special?

Aluminum is a very light metal with many varying uses and applications. It has a relatively melting point and can be easily compressed into thin sheets . It can be used for the outer shell of cars, crumpling easy for increased driver protection. It is also very lightweight, thus increasing mileage on vehicles. It can also be used as aluminum foil, to keep microbes and germs out of food and keep it fresh for extended periods of time. 

Week #13 -- Trail of Tear...drop trailers!

This week in AutoCAD, we students have began our lessons in building teardrop trailers, though they don't have to be teardrops. All work was CAD work, as the first two days of the week were holidays (Veteran's Day and the Marine Corps birthday, y'know). Wednesday was the first stage of planning, with reviewing what types of trailers there were out there and what kinds appealed to us. Thursday was further research, examining dimensions and both interiors and exteriors. Needless to say, it was a fun experience.

The reader may note that this post has been typed a week AFTER the aforementioned week. This is because I was called for a meeting in the middle of class, so I could not finish it that day. Thus, my hand has been forced to do it now.

There was no essential question this week.

Week #12 -- Metals, 3-D, and CNC (Oh my!)

Thus, 3 months of school have concluded! This week, we students have participated in the tasks of watching a "Modern Marvels" episode on the production of metals, 3-D AutoCAD, and further work on the CNC Router and MIG Welder. As the Metals is part of the essential question, I will refrain from addressing that until the conclusion of the post.

First off, the class worked with our teacher to make a small, 3-D part in AutoCAD. This involved using the 3-D tab to make objects become three-dimensional. Since this was my first time using it, I was a little behind in making the part and using functions, but I got through. Another useful tool was being able to turn the 3-D objects to either Wireframe or Shaded, or Sketched, and so on. This gives the creator a preferred look to his work.

Next, I have been working on a CNC Router project. I used Quickpart to formulate a design for my piece, and brought some of my own red spray paint to colour the wood. I decided on making a United States Marine Corps themed piece for November 10th, the USMC birthday. It will be given to my father.

Lastly is the essential question: What metal that humans have produced has had the most effect on our life?

This point can be argued many ways. For me, I prefer aluminum. However, I shall give a small list on the pros and cons of each metal mentioned in the video, as to address each point of view.

Copper: Highly conductive and malleable, can be easily turned into wiring for machinery. Used in many modern products such as phones, computers, and basically anything that uses electricity.

Bronze: An alloy. Much stronger than copper alone, fused with tin. Was made for weapons and practical pieces in the Bronze Age. Now used for mostly aesthetics. Malleable and light.

Iron: Much stronger and heavier than bronze, not to mention much more widely available. Easily able to rust. Used in many modern applications, including axes, pick-axes, hoes, and other gardening or heavy working tools

Gold: Never rusts, very ductile and malleable, and pretty. Was used in currencies for hundreds of years, now used in wiring or microchip components. Since it is much weaker than most other metals, it is not used for tools.

Steel: Strong, durable, and reliable. It is used in skyscraper frames, car frames, and literally every modern tool or kitchen utensil to date. Ships, cars, trains, tanks, trucks, and everything in between has steel somewhere. Slightly expensive to manufacture.

Aluminum: Very malleable, lightweight, and strong. It is very recent, easy to manufacture, and available for practical and aesthetic applications. It is used for kitchen wrap to keep foods fresh, to the outside framing for cars. Less strong than steel and crumples easy.

Week #11 -- MIG Welding and Fracking

Another week ends. This week, we were educated in 3D AutoCAD skills, MIG (Mechanized Inert Gas) Welding, CNC router work, and of course being asked an essential question. First off, I was bed-ridden for the first two days of the week. As consequence, I was NOT present for the 3D AutoCAD magic, and am thus rendered inept in the past proceedings. I was informed I will be taught later, which is a relief. I was quite looking forward to that particular part of AutoCAD skills. Next, our class learned how to use the MIG Welder. My group has been using it for the past quarter, so I already had basic knowledge. However, our teacher showed us the different parts of the MIG Welder, how the wire (electrode) feeds, how the flux core (for shielding) works, and how to make simple welds. The main three techniques he showed us were "beads", "tacks", and "stacking dimes". He also demonstrated how to weld two pieces of metal together.

The essential question of the week is: What is "fracking"?

"Fracking", or formally known as hydraulic fracturing, is a form of petroleum mining. The technique used is where miners drill in a metal drilling rod about a mile down, then turn in a direction parallel to the ground above. They then set off small explosives to fracture the stone and let petroleum get through. Miners will also shoot down a special synthetic liquid that keeps the cracks open. This allows for effective oil retrieval. The downside is that they sometimes hit water mains or piping, thus possibly poisoning people's water.

Week #10 -- CNC and Grill

This week our group worked further on our grill. The main basin frame has been completed, along with cutting the legs of the grill. Unfortunately, we messed up on directing one of our frames, so now it is upside down. Went along with it anyway. We now have to finish the sides, put some framing in for strength, then complete the lid. Also this week, we learned some basics of the CNC Router. I was missing the first day, so I was not able to participate in the introduction. Since I was working on the project with the rest of the grill crew, I did not get any time on MasterCAM. However, I did cut my piece of wood, so I'm ready to design.

The Essential Question of this week is "why is Made in USA such a big deal?" When products are made in our own country, it first instills a major sense of pride and independence, as we make our own goods and do not have to rely on others. Second, it creates jobs for those who live here. Instead of giving jobs to foreign countries such as China, personal production allows the economy to flourish and educate individuals in varying trades. Lastly, our workmanship is superb and surpasses most our countries. However, this could just be patriotism and bias speaking, and is likely personal opinion of the American masses.