With a very clear idea and sketch of what I wanted to create most of my difficulties came from the execution. This was my first time creating a project with solidworks, and I really appreciate learning about the modeling techniques which are fundamental to this field. My real enemy was the laser cutter, itself.
I would try some test cuts and experiments until I found the perfect kerf, only for it to change with every single cut. Pieces miraculously switched between being burnt to a crisp and not even being cut with the same settings. My slow descent into madness was only aided by my previous hubris: I hadn’t even considered making a new assembly to test out small design changes and never practiced good naming habits because every single time I assumed it would be the last small hitch and I wouldn’t need to see my (36 different) files again.
Minor differences in positioning spiraled into complete misalignment, too many tabs with varying types of fit actually led to more instability, but through multiple rounds of trial and error I eventually finished with a true understanding of the iterative design process.
I have learnt an incredible amount of solidworks, patience, and begun anew as someone with good project management skills and discipline.
I also really love this dice tower, I think it’s cute and I like the sound the dice make.