In order to get familiar with the CNC (computer-numerical control) 3-axis mill (by Haas,) I chose to make a lollipop mold of a sign that has been hanging in front of the Stanford Product Design Loft.
This was a great way to learn the CNC mill because it uses the 3D surfacing features, cuts complex geometries, allows for multiplicity. Also, I tried to use the artifacts of the machining process to my advantage in create the product. On my lollipop molds, I used generous step-over with a ball end mill and short path surface flow to get amazing radial ridges emanating from the center of the lollipop.
Images of the actual molds when I get them back from the professor...
