Woodcraft goes High Tech with a little help from the LFHS Foundation October 2011

The Lake Forest High School Foundation has helped the Applied Technology Department add two new technologies to the Woodcraft curriculum.  A new Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) Router and a 50 Watt Laser Engraver are now being used by students to various projects never before possible in the woodcraft courses.

Last year the Lake Forest High School Foundation Awarded a grant for $39,995.00 to purchase the new equipment and students are already using the new technology to design and build innovative projects.
The CNC Router allows students to cut and carve projects up to 4’ x 8’ in size. This allows for a full sheet of plywood to be cut into parts for their designs. Students use a computer program to design their project for the CNC Router. The software then converts their design into G-Code format for the computer to follow as the machine cuts out their design. Students have used this technology to mass produce complex shapes, carve out signs, and even develop prototypes for the CAD Engineering classes.

The Laser Engraver used the energy of the laser to cut designs out of wood, coated metals, glass, plastic, paper, and even leather. Students use a computer program to create their design and then send their design to the laser engraver which prints out their design onto their project. Students in the introductory Woodcraft class are using the technology to create the front of their clock designs and even cut holes for the clock movement.

Thanks to the LFHS Foundation these technologies have already been used to create several plaques and awards which celebrate the achievements of students and staff at Lake Forest High School. This fall the woodcraft classes look to use these technologies to enhance their Manufacturing project and build even more toys to be donated to the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation.