Documentation - My original idea was to make a maze in the shape of hexagon and to make the process of completing it nearly impossible. Though, once I started my "blueprint" I realized that the shape of a hexagon wouldn't fit my design plan and instead I changed it the the shape of an octagon. This was a only a small hiccup for this only meant that I would have to add in a few more paths. However, I stuck with my plan to make the maze complicated, while still making it so that an average Joe could complete it.
Research/Sketches
Completion of the Project - After choosing my shape being the octagon, I then opened up Inventor. I sketched out the shape of the maze then drew in and lined up all of the paths that were in my planning/research sheet. After that, I saved my maze into Inventor and then opened up Fusion 360. Since I was given a specific sheet to complete Fusion 360, all I had to do was follow the steps on the sheet. This involved mostly making sure that all of my paths were lined up and the right size not to mention my maze being the correct size for the CNC Router. Next, I saved it a g code so that it would correspond with the router on my flash drive and then headed down to prepare the router. To make sure that my maze would cut out correctly, I had to find the center point of my maze. Then I had to line the router up with the center point and after that I click the green play button and the rest took care of itself. The final step after my maze was cut out was to laser engrave my first and last name as well as my class hour onto it. This was done by going into Inventor and typing my name and class hour in then, creating outlines and changing the color to RGB Blue so that it would correspond on the laser. Finally I headed down to the laser, change the speed and percent of color given and the operation was successful.
Screenshots from Inventor and Fusion 360
Setting up the Router
Finished maze with name on it
Summary - For this being the first time I've ever used the CNC Router before, I am very pleased with the results. Over the course of this project, I learned a lot using different software's such as Fusion 360 and even building a little more confidence in Inventor. With g codes and creating paths with depths, the maze project really kept me on my toes. This project helped to prepare for projects to come like this in the future and with the final project now on the horizon, this is an experience that will make me more ready for it.