Design of educational engineering projects fabricated with the laser-cutter and CNC wire bender

Abstract

The aim of this investigation is to design educational project enclosures for engineering students at MIT that utilize the laser-cutter, CNC "DiWire" wire bender and various other mechanical engineering tools. Introducing students to the laser-cutter and wire bender gives them hands-on experience with some exciting mechanical tools for fabrication to supplement their courses in electrical engineering. The key objective of this investigation is finding a cheap, safe, professional-looking, easy-to-manufacture setup that teaches students the desired concepts and gives flexibility for Professor Leeb to integrate novel engineering projects into his classes. The second section of this design project is the creation of a soldering iron holder made using components bent on the DiWire. Many design iterations are carried out before settling on the final design and material choice. The soldering iron holder is then incorporated into a larger electrical engineering project. This larger project is a speaker that students put together and house in a special enclosure.