I found this christmas tree design on Thingiverse and wanted to try if I could also make this work. The original creator of this post also posted a file that demonstrates the outline of each pieces needed. I first tried tracing the shapes with pen tool.
Materials and Tools:
• 12"x12" Acrylic Boards x2 (bought in canal plastics)
• Laser cutter
After the first trial, I found that the thickness of the joining parts are too thin. The cut out part should be at lease the thickness of the acrylic board. I tried snapping them in, but I pushed too hard that it broke.
I then printed another set after widening the cutted joining parts. However, it was still too tight. I was able to push it in, but with some force. This piece broke when I was trying to snap another piece on. I asked the shop staff and they said that the laser has a particular size that i need to consider when measuring the size. They told me to test it more, so I printed another set.
This is the final set that worked. The connecting parts are a little loose, but they do stand and stay. The original file was missing two pieces on the side, so I had to doing another print. I also made a little square bottom for it to stand on just so it is more stable and easier to carry.
Conclusion
I totally forgot about the thickness when I was making the outlines. Something that I would keep in mind next time includes getting extra materials. I had to print four times for this homework and each of my print was pretty big. I only had two pieces of the acrylic board so I was really nervous when I was going on trials. I would also make more accurate measurements and take the possible difference made by the laser cutter into account so that they could fit more tightly, yet still smoothly.