35: Embossed Paper

This is the Rose Window from the Notre Dame Cathedral. The process starts with importing a photograph into OnShape and then constructing/tracing a 30 degree sector using only circular arcs and straight lines. The sector gets arrayed 12 times around the center, exported as a dxf, imported into the laser software. The enclosed windows areas are engraved in clear acrylic, the circular outline cut to make a tool. The embossing happens in a 12-ton hydraulic press on 140-weight, soaking-wet watercolor paper. There's a thin foam rubber "anvil" under the paper. Laid flat on a table, the paper air dries in 5 minutes.