Foldable Tray Table

by evansc3 in Workshop > Laser Cutting

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Foldable Tray Table

final project 1.jpg
final project 2.jpg

I made a multi-purpose foldable tray table that can be used wherever and whenever to do work on or eat on.

Supplies

1st prototype:

  • card board
  • duct tape
  • measuring tape
  • exacto-knife

2nd prototype:

  • card board
  • 2 hinges
  • duct tape
  • drill
  • 6 nuts
  • 6 bolts
  • 6 washers
  • measuring tape
  • exacto-knife
  • pencil/marker

Final Product:

  • wood
  • laser cutter
  • 2 hinges
  • duct tape
  • card board
  • drill
  • 6 nuts
  • 6 bolts
  • 6 washers
  • plyers

Getting Started With Prototype 1

1 drawing.jpg

Start by drawing out what you want the tray to look like with the dimensions and everything. Then get all of the supplies you will need for all 3 versions.

Prototype 1

prototype 1.jpg

Start by gathering your supplies that are listed for the first prototype above. Start by grabbing your cardboard and exacto-knife and trace 1 piece of cardboard that is 18x14". Then 2 pieces of cardboard that are 8.5x14". Also cut 4 3x3" squares and 2 2x5" rectangle. Start my using duct tape and taping one of the 8.5x14" rectangles to the 18x14" rectangle on the 14" sides. Do the same thing with the other 8.5x14" rectangle on the other side of the 18x14" piece. Next, you are going to tape the 4 3x3" squares to make a cube with 2 missing sides. Once you have that shape you are gonna tape that shape to the side of one of the 8.5x14" on the outside of it. You are going to have one of the open sides facing up and the other open side facing the piece you are taping it to. Then you have a make shift cupholder. You are going to use the 2 2x5" rectangles as makeshift hinges. Tape the 2" sides to the inside of the 14" sides of the tray you already made. Tape it to where the tray legs are at a 90*. Now you are done with your 1st prototype of your foldable tray.

Prototype 2

prototype 2.jpg

To build your 2nd prototype you are going to start by measuring and drawing 2 18x14" rectangles and 4 8.5x14" rectangles. Then cut out these rectangles. Then you are going to tape 1 of the 18x14" rectangles on top of the other one to make it twice as thick. You are going to do the same thing twice with the other 4 pieces. Tape 2 of them together and tape the other 2 together. Then you are going to grab your hinges and lay them on the pieces of cardboard to and use the marker to mark the wholes on the cardboard. Then use a drill to drill holes where you marked. Next, grab your nuts, bolts, and washers. Put the washers on to the bolts on all 6. Push one of the bolts through each hole. Then place on your hinges and twist the bolts on to tighten on the hinges. Now you have your second prototype.

Final Product Part 1

laser.jpg
final 1.jpg
final pic 2.jpg

To start your final product you are going to open tinkercad. Then you are going to make a new 3D design. You are going to make a rectangle that is 266.7mm x 457.2mm. Then you are going to make 2 rectangles that are 266.7mm x 215.9mm. We had to make the pieces a little smaller because they had to fit in the laser cutter. Next, you export the shapes as a SVG file. Then you log in to glowforge. Then you create a new file using an already made file. Then you customize your settings for the type of wood you are going to use and then you start laser cutting your wood. Then you have your wood pieces for your final tray.

Final Product Part 2

final pic 3.jpg
final pic 4.jpg

Now that you have your wood pieces you need to lay out your hinges and mark the wholes on the wood. Then use the drill and drill the holes. Then you need to put the washers on each bolt. Next, you need to put the bolts in the holes and then use plyers to tighten the bolts. After that you need to cut 4 3x3" card board squares. Then you need to tape them together in to a cube with 2 sides missing. Then tape it on to the side like you did in prototype 1. Then you need to cut out the bottom of the cube to where the square is hanging on by one side. You need to put tabs of tape so that the bottom can be taken off and put back on when wanted. Now you have your final tray table.