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Week 9

This week has been very interesting.  My second cut on the plasma cutter was completed and I took home.  I found my first cut, and I fixed it up, and make it look pretty again.  I finally had the opportunity to make a 3D image with the 3D printer.  It was the symbol of the new Batman and Superman movie, "Dawn of Justice."  I used the website thingiverse.com to find the image I wanted.  That project was printed and painted, and I was able to take it home that day.  I am currently working on another plaque using MASTERCAM Quick Part.  My plan is to make a plaque for my dad that says, "Better In The Moment."  I have already used the router to round off the edges of the board that I'm using.  I painted the board and I'm ready to make the cut.  I hope it turns out great!

Week 8

This week was a complete success.  I was able to make two cuts on the CNC Plasma cutter, and they turned out great.  The first cut was too thin, and the the second cut was a little messed up.  Unfortunately my first cut was taken, but I've been taking the proper precautions with my second cut to prevent that from happening again.  I hope to correct my mistakes on the third cut, and have it tien out better than the first two.  Mr. Smith taught me how to use the grinder to clean up the last over slag on the back of the metal.  I need to start thinking of new ideas for a new project because school is ending soon.  I've had a really fun time in this class learning how to use the new tools and machines, and I want to take the year long class so I can further my knowledge in this class.

The housing market of California is soaring! The increase in sales has increased 33.1% from February to March.  This marks the largest increase some 2012.  Housing prices for the average house has increased 18,000 dollars.  The cold Winter weather is a source of the increase in the market.  The only problem is that the housing market is really only supporting the higher levels of the community because of the expenses.

Week 7

This week, I've been working on getting better on molding sheet metal to form boxes.  I used the three-in-one tool to sheer and break my the sheet metal I used for my box.  The third tool is a roller, but that tool was not needed to complete the boxes.  My second box was a greater success, but my measurment were a little off.  The box still looked good, but the two longer sides were taller than the other sides.  I finised my second box this week, and I painted it and took it home. We finally learned how to use the CNC Plasma Cutter. I have not been able to cut anything yet, but I should have my first cut done by Monday. My plan is to create the Batman and Superman symbols, and merge them into one symbol.  I hope it will turn out great.

The reasons for labor unions are employees disagreeing with the CEO or the manager in charge.  The employees want a change in the business they work for, but the manager can decline.  One employee can be turned down very easily, but if they come together, it is harder to decline.  This is important because it shows that we can unite together to make a change.

Week 6

This week has been full of surprises.  I first draw the plan for my box on my sheet of galvanized sheet metal.  I had some difficulties sheering the metal correct, but as soon as I corrected my mistake, I was well on my way to finishing my box.  The next step I had to complete was to shape my box, and make sure that the measurements were correct.  I learned how to use the Spot welder, which I later learned was used to form the body of cars.  My first time using the Spot Welder was unsuccessful, but I redeemed myself, and fixed my mistake.  The only downside to Spot Welding a second time was allowing holes to form in the box. The last step to completing my box was to make it look pretty.  I used a dark blue spray paint to finish my project, and I took it home.  I will be advancing to my second box today, but I will learn from the mistakes I made on my first box.

We currently produce electricity by using magnets, copper wires, motors, and coal.  Electricity is made by the magnets spinning and Charging the Electrons on the copper wire.  How do the magnets spin?  We use the coal to burn the water to change it into steam.  The steam then powers the motor to spin the magnets.  As the steam is changed back into water, the water is then reheated and used again.  This creates the circuit that creates electricity.   

Week 5

This week in the shop has been great!  We continued to use the AutoCAD program, and we had two required drawings we had to complete.  The first one was easy, but the second drawing was difficult.  Fortunately, I figured out to to complete the drawing.

 After I was done with both requirements, I started my design for my tiny box in AutoCAD.  Yesterday, Mr. Smith showed me how to use the handheld plasma torch, and I cut the metal sheets for our tiny boxes.  The only steps that are left in assembling the box is cutting the material, shaping it, and spot welding it.  I hope to move on to more difficult designs, and make more complex boxes.  Next week I'll be moving on with the boxes,  and use how to use the Plasma Cutter.

The essential question for this week was where plastic comes from.  Plastic can be found naturally like in insects, plants, animals' horns or their milk.  It can also be made made plastic, or synthetic plastic.  Most plastics today are synthetic plastics.  Recycled plastics go to a waste-to-energy facility, but other plastics end up in landfills, or in the ocean polluting it.  Plastic is formed from natural gases and it combines smaller molecules into a chain that is strong and durable.  Plastic is currently used in a lot of products today, but it is also one of the main things polluting our world today.

Week 4

This week, I've been improving my skills with the Vinyl cutter.  We learned to use the new program called AutoCAD which allows us to make 2D or 3D designs.  We learned the basic commands for this program, such as lines, circles, and rectangles.  We also learned how to use object snap and polar tracking, which allows us to make a line point at a certain angle, and snapped two lines together to create a connected angle.  The AutoCAD program allows us to use the 3D printer, or the Plasma cutter.  I'm excited to learn how to use those two machines, and to learn how to use the other machines in the shop next year.

The essential question for this week was where all of our waste goes.  The Laguna waste water treatment facility treats millions of gallons of waste a day.  The waste from Rancho Cotate High School, and from the homes around the city travel to this facility through the sewer system.  There are three stages to the treatment process: the primary stage, the secondary stage, the tertiary stage.  there are over five-hundred underground pipes leading to the Laguna waste water facility.