Oh, Did I Mention I Broke the Laser Cutter?

One of the consequences of trying to work all night on consecutive nights to write configuration scripts and perfect antenna designs is that your judgment starts to slip. You might, for instance, solder some wires together without adding the shrink wrap first, or maybe you start cutting an antenna on the laser cutter and then try to go do something else in another room. BIG NONO. I came back to find the cutter disabled, the belt burning lazily, and the blower just clicking back on after having cooled back down from an overheat, oh yeah, and all this with only three full days left in Afghanistan. Yikes!

After making the point to the FabLabbers about how essential it was for a mistake like mine not to be repeated, I set about 'pairin'it. Originally we had hoped that we would be able to involve them in the fix, but it coming up in Friday and Saturday my departure date, we decided my working solo on a Friday was better than no laser cutter.

Both the belt and the blower hose were damaged. Fortunately there was another belt on hand, but the hose was going to need some McGuyvering. All I had was shrink tubing (and no heat gun or ligher, ugh), so that was going to have to suffice for a replacement hose. I hope that Fab Labbers take this as an example that there are many, solutions to any problem, though some prettier than others...


Everything is good-as-new and working fine now.