Laser Cut Box Project

This is a box that has a living hinge, also known as a FlexBox, this box has its purpose to keep all memories as a child to now. My cousin used to give me a similar box like this as a gift, but unfortunately I lost it when I grew up because my mom threw it away. So, I created a new box design where i can put photos of myself as a child or even pictures of awards I've won throughout my life. I also added images that I consider as my childhood favorites such as FC Barcelona, a soccer club, that I always supported as a child and till now. I even added the cross which means God has always led me in my life and guided me to what's right and I give all thanks to his glory for making me help create this box.

The supplies you need to make a living hinge box is

1. 11.8" x 11.8" in piece of 1/8 Baltic birch plywood
2. A laser cutting machine
3. A laptop
4. Wood glue

First, to create a design you have to go on a website called festi.box.py and scroll down till where it says "FlexBox3", next you'll have to modify the box's settings. I made my design longer so I can keep more photos or things I consider that are memorial to me in the box. The y-axis was 15 times higher than the x to stretch while the z was changed a little higher than the y to give it that depth.

Next, you will have to go RetinaEngrave. Once you are in you will want to look at the top left of your screen and click on "muse-core" and switch that to "muse-titan". After you've done that, you will press on the file which is also on the top left corner of your screen and click on import and upload the design you've downloaded from step 1.

Continously, you will have to create a visualize box that's 11.8 x 11.8 in board for the design (that is what I recommend). Once you have done that you can add the design into that box and try your best to fit it and what I did was switch some parts and make it fit at its best.

After you've done step 1 and 2, you will now have to choose settings you will like for the laser cutter to cut your design. What I chose was 80 speed and 100 power because if the laser cutter uses more speed than the power it'll cause the laser cutter to not cut all the way through for my wood board. I also used the same speed for the raster of my images, but less power so it doesn't cut all the way through which will make a very nice shadow.

I recommend to use more power > more speed because it's better for the laser cutter to cut all the way through for your wood board, but for the raster I would recommend more speed > more power to have that nice shadows on the images. After that, you would want to use a USB file to put the file in, then go to the laptop and insert that USB in which will cause the laser cutter to work. But, make sure to scan with the red laser in that laser cutter so its perfect for your box then you can start the cutting process

Finally, now that we've finished the laser cutting our boxes, we now have to start putting it all together.

First, what I did was I added wood glue onto the 2 sides of the walls that have the logo of Golden State Warriors and Batman onto the Cross.

Then, once you have added the glue together the 2 sides of the box walls onto the Cross which is the layer for the hinge ( I would recommend waiting for it to dry) then the last piece that has the living hinge you should add the wood glue then put it on top of the Cross.

Once you have connected all the parts of the boxes, all you have to do is just wait for it to dry, and you'll be finished just like that!