I started teaching a high-school Design class (“Product Design and Manufacturing”), we are short-staffed, are missing an art teacher this year, and it was something enough students have an interest in.
I’m getting them to do a ‘craft’ type project, ala something they could sell at a weekend festival or on Etsy, and nudging them strongly to make it doable (cutting / engraving) on a laser-cutter (aka my GF).
I’ve given them some X cents per inch on cutting 1/8 or 1/4 plywood (based on PG and Purebond I frequently use), Y cents per inch square for engraving.
As they get closer to prototypes, I’d like to get a better estimate for costs.
Other than leaving my GF at home on, and connecting / logging in from school and giving it a fake “ready” run (do the ready in the web browser, but cancel once it comes back with the time estimate), is there another way I could get a better estimate?
Main ideas students are doing are boxes with designs cut out (for candle or led candle), key chains, chessboard & pieces, and pendant light “shade”.