Lasersaur

As part of a team of seven Rice students, I helped build a laser cutter during my junior year. The project was part of The Art of DIY course led by Mike Beradino, where we worked with open-source technology to create a machine based on the Lasersaur model from Nortd Labs. Built for just $8,000—a fraction of the cost of commercial systems—the cutter could etch metals and cut through materials like acrylic, wood, leather, and paper.

This project sparked my ongoing interest in digital fabrication machines. The experience taught me valuable skills in design and systems integration, and it laid the foundation for my fascination with creating and working with advanced manufacturing tools.