Tarantula Spider Laser Cut

I was trying to find a nice model of spider to download and laser cut to use as Halloween decoration but coundn't find any, so I decided to make one from scratch.

This project is kind of experimental, and I'm sorry but I forgot to make lots of pictures of the process. :)

To make the design I used inkscape. Is a little hard to make an assemble model with a 2d software, but is a way that everybody can give it a try.

I will share a little of my workflow and I my file for cut the parts will be avaliable to download.

Supplies

>Inkscape - if you still don't have it, download it from https://inkscape.org/

>Photos of spiders (or anithing you wish to make)

>Laser cutter

>3mm thickness sheet material for lasercut (plywood, mdf, acrylic, cardboard.... you choose!)

Step 1: Step 1: Design the Parts

I used inkscape, with is an free and open source software to produce vector design.

When you want to make a drawing or a model of something from nature, a good practice is to have a model. But I didn't want to bother or hurt any spider to make this project, so I used pictures of tarantulas to give inspiration. With the photos is possible to have a very good idea of the proportions of the animal.

I inserted the pictures on inkscape working space an used the bezier tool to draw objects over them. After that I scale in order to make models in a 3mm thickness plywood.

To make the slot joints is a little tricky. I made a rectangle with 3mm x 5mm and designed around it. Using the path>difference tool is pretty handy.

Note that this is a very simple and fast design. I only made two legs models to the spider, a big one and a small one. You cut four of each to make the spider. The other parts are: fangs, pedipalps, abdomen and the body.

Step 2: Step 2: Laser Cut the Parts and Assemble

Find the closest makerspace avaliable, cut the parts and assemble.

This is the first time I make a 3d puzzle-like model out of a 2d software, so I only discovered how it was going to be after a actually make it. To say the truth I think I could have positioned the legs of the spider better, but it assembled well.

Step 3: Step 3: Download My Model

If you wish you can download my file to easily make your spider!

Comments

[dug1000]

when I opened up the dxf in Inkscape it seemed to only show every third line. Is there an svg file available? If you did this purposely so no one could copy your design I completely understand.

[deluguis]

I´m not sure what you mean with every third line, but I uploaded a svg file. Check if it works.

[dug1000]

I'm sorry. What I meant was the it came up in Inkscape like dashed lines with a lot missing. Thank you very much for the svg! My students will love it!

[Penolopy Bulnick]

Very nice design!

It could be fun to make out of cardboard too and then build it up with paper mache :)

[deluguis]

Very good idea!