Intermediate Element Sign Project

Software:

Adobe Illustrator, VCarve Desktop, OpenBuilds Control

Machine Time:

1 hour 20min

Bit or Laser Size:

90 Degree .5" V-Bit

Feeds & Speeds:

Feed Rate: 75, Plunge Rate: 20, Dial setting for Dewalt 611 Router: 2.5

Materials:

OpenBuilds Clear Cast Acrylic (8) Pieces. Aluminum Extrusion 20x20 for the frame and 90 Degree Makerlinks for joining components.

This was an extremely fun project and was a collaborative effort among the OpenBuilds Team to create a really unique way to customize a sign for OpenBuilds!




It all started with this cool website that will elementize your name in a high resolution for $5.
Check it out here: Find Your Name in the Periodic Table of the Elements




Next we brought the high resolution file into Photoshop where we used a canvas size of 12"x12" to scale and crop each individual element for vector creation in Adobe Illustrator.



Following the work conducted in Photoshop we brought the individual files into Illustrator where we created custom vectors for each element in the project.





After all of the vectors were created in Illustrator we brought all of my files into VCarve Desktop (CAM Software) to position each element and edit any unnecessary or duplicate vectors. This software is amazing and you can purchase it here: VCarve Desktop




Now that everything was in position we created the toolpaths for each operation! Selecting all of the vectors we wanted to create a V-Carving to give each section of the project a cool engraved look.




This is a completed preview of what this project is going to look like after machining! The settings we used for the 90 Degree .5" V-Bit were as follows:


These are all the settings you will need in order to get the same result for your elementized project!



Video of the machining process:






After finishing the machining process we started to assemble the frame for the large scale sign. First we ran the LED light strip through the bottom frame piece of 20x20 V-Slot.The multi color changing LED light strip that we used was a cut to length spool which was ideal since the length of the sign was 8' long. In addition, this particular strip of LEDs were encased in a water proof material which isn't necessary unless you plan to use the sign outside.





Creating the next part of the frame was simple using 90 degree Makerlinks as shown in the picture above. A total of 8 Makerlinks were used to complete the frame.




Sliding all of the acrylic into the V-Slot tracks allowed for a tight mount to the frame. We then used superglue on the top and bottom tracks to solidify the pieces into the tracks of the V-Slot. The Acrylic worked beautifully for this project! Make sure to check out OpenBuilds Materials: Cast Acrylic - Clear

Gallery:

The end result was absolutely stunning! We hope everyone enjoys this project as much as we did and be on the look out for future projects posted by the OpenBuilds Team!



























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