Introduction: How to Create a Flatpack Lamp Design

Flatpack design is taking a 2D cuts and turning it into a 3D model. It's becoming more common these days. There are many advantages to this product; it's low cost and it provides interaction with the customer. You can find flatpack designs in your local furniture store!

Step 1: Requirements

Here are the list in order to design this product.

  • A computer running windows, Mac OSX or Linux.
  • Internet Access
  • A vector editing program (Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator)
  • Access to a laser cutter
  • Wood/ Acrylic piece
  • Pre-made light fixture; recommend using one that has a socket diameter of around 20-40 mm and accepts a candelabra style bulb.
  • A lightbulb; recommend getting a low wattage bulb, (around 25 watts), or a compact fluorescent.

    hot glue.

Step 2: Using Processing

  1. Open Finder
  2. Go to Documents
  3. Click on Processing Folder
  4. Click on Libraries; codeableObjects; examples
  5. Here you'll find multiple options such as circle, polar rose, and etc. These are the basic code, you can alter them to create your own pattern.
  6. After altering the code to your preferences, you can click run to see how your pattern has turned out.
  7. In the simulation, you can alter the height, pattern, notches, and more.
  8. After you finish designing, click save.

Step 3: Using Inkscape

  1. After you've prepared your designs, open Inkscape.
  2. Click on File; Open.
  3. Find your saved pdf design.
  4. Select the drawing, click on Object; Transform; Scale.
  5. Insert 36.280% for Width and Height.
  6. Then click on Object; Ungroup.
  7. Reduce the lines to cut out the corners.
  8. Click on the individual pieces; Object; Combine.
  9. Save as dxf to prepare files for laser cutting.