Reid's Flash Drive
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Using machinery, I cut the case of this flash drive out of aluminum. While the completed product is very simple, its creation exposed me to novel concepts and allowed me to learn to use several new processes and tools. To start, I learned how to skillfully design products using engineering drawings such as the ones above. The flash drive case contains two parts, the case and the cap, both of which were initially sketched in the form of an engineering drawing. The drawing of the case was then used to machine the part out of aluminum. This was my first exposure to machining, and it was amazing to see the power and precision that this tool has.
I then utilized the laser cutter to create my cap out of acrylic. The design features a notch with a hole, allowing the flash drive to be placed on a keychain as seen in the photo on the right. You never know when you might need a flash drive, so being able to easily carry one with you is useful. In addition, engraved in the acrylic is my initials, “RGE”, adding a touch of personalization. While I learned to use the laser cutter while creating my previous project (The Jack-O-Lanterned Themed Dice Tower), I had never used the laser cutter to engrave. I learned this technique here.
I then fastened the case and the cover together using screws and put the flash drive to use. The case was threaded with 4-40 holes, the cap laser cut with slightly larger holes, allowing room for the screws to properly fit through. The size of the holes in the cap were determined using a tap chart, selecting the value for free fit.
As seen in the photo, the flash drive easily fits into the computer and works as normal, now with a machined/laser cut case to project it. I now have a personalized, durable flash drive I can carry with me on my key chain!
The video above shows the machining of the aluminum flash drive.