This week I attempted to make a merkabah again, this time in a bit more of a safer approach — on the laser cutter/printer. For the shape design, I first started in Vectorworks, creating a 3D emulation of the design of a merkabah made out of stone that I have had for some time. In vectorworks, there is a tool that allows you to create contours based on a determined measurement throughout the shape. From there, I isolated the cuts from the contour and sent them to illustrator to cut.
I first printed out a cardboard model to ensure that the shapes cut properly and then switched to found acrylic in the scrap bin at the Makerspace. I had gone to canal plastics and had purchased glue last semester so used that in the assembly. I learned in the process that the contours option didn’t quite fulfill my goal, so will also attempt this with fusion 360 slices at some point in the future. Steps and photos of my process are below.
merkabah shape
made out of shungite stone
1. make 3d drawing of merkabah
via vectorworks
2. Add contours to merkabah
separated by 1/8” via vectorworks
3. remove contours from 3d object
separated by 1/8” via vectorworks
4. Combine shapes and make ready to print
via vectorworks and copy/pasted into adobe illustrator
5. Print out via Epilog laser cutter
cardboard and acrlyic
6. Assemble with masking tape to ensure shape works
7. Assembled
mix of cardboard and acrylic pieces
8. Open and prep acrylic glue for application
9. Use tweezers to position tiny pieces
10. Partially assembled
11. Assembly complete.