Stained Glass Chess

• This project was the introduction to using and learning a TL1 Automatic Lathe, so the goal was to create an entire set of chess pieces – along with a matching board – to a theme of our choosing

  • My team and I chose to mimic the colors and essence of a classic stained glass window

• The models and assembly were designed and assembled in SolidWorks, paying attention to the limitations of the machine and tools available

• The gcode was created in Mastercam for three separate machines: Mini Mill, TL1, and ProtoTrak equipped mill

  • These machines were all used in tandem to achieve the desired effects

    • The stock was square up on the lathe or mill depending on the application

• The pieces were then turned down and molds were made of the blanks before more operations were done

• Then addition operations were performed to remove more material that would later be replaced with colored resin

• The resin was added using the molds we had made earlier, and the pieces were allowed to set before turning again to remove flashing and squeeze out

• The board was made from machined sheet stock and laser cut acrylic

• All pieces and the board were finished on a buffing wheel