Introduction: Hypeosaur - Hype Cycle Visualization Toy Art
Just in time for XMas. Offer a gift to your geeky boss or partner ! The hypeosaur allows visualizing hypecycle elements [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hype_cycle]. Creating this thing needs a laser cutter.
With some extra work, it also should be 3D printable (e.g. use OpenScad to extrude from the SVG).
Hypeosaurs are hybrids from supersaurus (long necks, flower eating) and theropods (bi-pedal, people eating). The drawing was made from various Wikipedia pictures.
Conventions:
- red hairlines are for cutting
- black paths are for engraving
- green and light blue are just fills for decoration (allow you to better see/place the object)
The files should be ready for cutting and engraving. Some extra files allow for customization. Any material can be used. Plexiglas is easier but more expensive. The saur requires a plate of 455 x 238mm. To print two, you need a 60cmx30cm plate.
Test cuts:
- Cut a stabilizer.svg with 3mm material, then try to stick it onto a 5mm board
Step 1: Step 1: Cut the Saur
Laser cut either one or two hypeosaurs. Download either one of the attached SVG files which are ready to be cut.
It is strongly recommended that you use 5mm materials, e.g. Plexiglass or plywood. You can do a test with (free) cardboard first.
Settings for a Trotec Speedy 100 50W laser:
* red hairline = cutting, power = 100%, speed = 0.8, 4000Hz
Optionally, you could edit the SVG file and add some decoration or text to engrave.
Step 2: Step 2: Cut Stabilizers
Laser cut stabilizers.
You must use 3mm boards ! Else you should adapt the size of the saurs (step1) or create a new saur using the materials in the hypeosaure-prep* files.
You need at least two stabilizers. You then can plug them into the feet, from below.
Attachments
Step 3: Step 3: Laser Cut Labels
Again, from 3mm material, create and cut as many labels for sticking on top of the hypeosaur as you like.
There are two options:
- Duplicate 20 times (or more) either hype-label.svg or hype-label-small.svg and add some text to each one. If you use Inkscape, try a fontsize from 6 to 10mm. Use black (RGB 0,0,0) for both fill and stroke.
- Use an existing set.File label-umn-edutech-set.svg includes all elements from http://hypecycle.umn.edu/ 2016 edition.
Optionally, you can create new forms of labels or change their size. You could start from hype-label-prep-els.svg. In Inkscape, select a green rectangle followed by the blue plate, then use Path->Difference to "dig" an inset.
Step 4:
If you plan to change the size and distribution of your insets, these extra files can be useful.
Step 5: PS
I am publishing this design on several web sites and for two reasons:
- I want to learn where laser cutting designs are best published (I acquired a laser cutter 3 month ago)
- I want to understand how various repositories try to help designers publish their thing ....
I also would appreciate some feedback. I have the feeling that I probably should explain a bit more in order to make it an instructable (as opposed to a commented design) - Daniel