A Family Business Inspired This SAE

Abby Smith is an incoming freshman for the Glencoe Silver-Lake FFA Chapter. Her dad, Richard, was a big part of her Supervised Agricultural Experience when she started it. He offered to help design something that would spark her interest.

The family business has been going since before Smith was born. “It’s in my family’s blood,” she says, as her great-grandpa did crafts and sold at craft sales.

Her dad started by making bowls and pens but then made Adirondack chairs. In the spring of 2020, her grandpa got a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) router. Her dad soon learned how to use it and bought his CNC router in the fall of 2020. Since then, they’ve expanded to more diverse products and markets.

Smith started her business because she had an interest in designing and sales. “It’s hard to find anybody who makes FFA keychains, leather coasters with animals and other agriculture-related products,” she says. She does it because she loves interacting with customers, designing new products and learning new skills.

When Smith gets an order, she starts with the computer design if it’s a custom order. From there, she lasers the product and does the cleaning or finishing required, whether it’s washing with water, spraying a finish, or rubbing and finishing on.

CNC is a manufacturing method that automates the control, movement and precision of machine tools using preprogrammed computer software. Smith designs on a computer and exports it to a USB. Then, she puts the USB into the controller connected to the CNC and the computer controls the machine, which includes engraving and cutting.

She doesn’t use the CNC as much. Although it is mostly used for textured projects (like the Huss Welcome sign pictured below), you’ll feel the different heights of materials if you run your hand across that kind of sign.

CNC can also be used to replicate something accurately, such as this pig-shaped cutting board Abby made as an example.

Smith also uses the laser to burn a material. When using a laser, there often isn’t a considerable difference in depth. Customers like the detail, crisp lines and generally darker-colored products like the ones below.