Evaluation

Problem : Detail unable to produce

Overall the project was a success, I managed to complete all the requirements on the brief.  By using Pro Engineer, CNC and rapid prototyping it has given me the confidence and understanding that I need.  Pro engineer was a great effort to learn but by following instructions I soon became able to make and deliver basic commands. 
The Rapid Prototyping machine was impressive, the finish and accuracy that it produced was encouraging.  After seeing the rapid prototype
machine being demonstrated I soon became confident to set it going.
The outer shell of my design took a few attempts to get it right, but after changing the cutting speed I managed to produce the outer edges and then mill out the middle by hand
.
When the wood came out of the CNC machine the finish was poor.  Small detail was difficult to produce and finish.

Problem : The internal sections were hard to cut.

The accuracy of the CNC didn’t seem to match the accuracy of the rapid prototyping machine.  After producing two components which mated
together in Pro Engineer, I found that the component made on the CNC were slightly out, I feel this was due to the cutter being rounded on the end. If I was to manufacture this again I would take into account the
tolerances required.
I had problems with my wood coming off the supporting material while in the CNC machine, this was due to the double sided tape, in my second attempt I replaced it with glue and left it in a vice for an hour.

Problem : Wood came off the support material.

If I could change my design I would make the shape larger to make the inside easier to cut out.  Probably make my design less complicated so the difficulty of machining would be reduced.  I would make my model out of a cheaper material as it in supposed to be a prototype.
Throughout this project I have gained a lot of knowledge about the CNC, Rapid Prototype and Pro Engineer, it has allowed me to realise the
restrictions involved when producing models.