Using the laser cutter in the EXP makerspace, I made 1/4 inch-thick fluorescent cast acrylic fish to help decorate my town’s recent “Grad Nite Live” for the graduating seniors. Grad Nite Live is a safe, substance-free, all-night celebration in the public high school, which is transformed every year by over 100 volunteers. This year’s theme was Water. I used Adobe Illustrator and downloaded a generic fish image file from Adobe (included with Northeastern’s Adobe license for all students, staff and faculty). The fish varied in size from 4 – 8 inches long and were cut from various colors of fluorescent cast acrylic which I purchased in-person from Altec Plastics in South Boston. The fish were hung from fishing line in coral reef displays, which I also helped to make. Although I have lots of experience with the EXP laser cutters and cutting out of fluorescent acrylic, I learned how to use the laser cutter’s software to easily copy, multiply and nest a high number of fish on the same piece of 18″ x 32″ acrylic to maximize efficiency and output.
