Key Tray

Instructions

Using a blob generator (learned about it in the Bent Lamination Techniques Session #44), I generated an organic SVG shape to make this pebble like tray. You may use the text of my project as is or you can create your own text and generate your own blob. Below are the instructions for the text. In Inkscape, I used the function "Pattern Along Path" to place a text in the form of a spiral. This is quite the trickiest part of this project. Here are the steps : 1 - Type your text with the Text Tool in Inkscape 2 - Transform it into a Single Line Font Text ( read the article : "Create a Single Line Text with Inkscape" in the Shaper Support Pages) 3 - Ungroup (Object > UnGroup) the Single Line Text. 4 - Simplify a lot the path nodes of each letter using the command : Path > Simplify (or [CTRL] [L]) 5 - Select all the letters of the text and combine them (Path > Combine) together. This is how the pattern is created. Copy it in the Clipboard ([CTRL][C]) 6 - Create a spiral with the Spiral Tool and convert it to a path (Path > Object to path). This is how the path is created. Select it. 7 - Open the menu Path Effects (Path > Path Effects), Select "Pattern Along Path" and choose the parameter "Link To Path In Clipboard" as the source for the Pattern Source and the parameter "Single" as the Pattern Copies. Et voilà! Stain and finish the MDF a few days before cutting and engraving the project in order to obtain a nice contrast for the text. Cut the sides and the bottom of the tray with a 1/4in Up-spiral Flat. Keep the piece of MDF en place and engrave it with the engraving bit. Depth : 0.02in, Diam : 0.02in. It is really easy in auto block mode because most of the letters are in the correction range of Origin.