COURSE DESCRIPTION
Digital fabrication methods offer perfect manufacturing, but what are the limitations of various means? Students will learn the history and context of various fabrication methods and about relevant art and products. Using critical concepts, students will design and build several projects with fabrication methods, including 3D printing, CNC milling, and laser cutting. Students will learn basic electronics.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Students will work on a series of exercises and projects to gain an understanding of the principles associated with digital fabrication technologies. Upon completing the class students should feel comfortable with the following:
1. Analyzing potential projects and creating user centered solutions with clear goals and outcomes.
2. Identifying and utilizing effective structures and resources for creating digital fabrication projects.
3. Creating compelling interaction and interfaces that respond to the needs of the established users
4. Feel comfortable operating basic digital fabrication equipment safely.
5. Developing and/or honing critical ideas.

SCHEDULE
Week 1: Types of Digital Fabrication, history, examples, safety

Exercise 1: Using engraving and cutting, create a 5″ x 5″ laser cut image. It can be from MDF or acrylic.

Week 2: Thinking three dimensionally, using the laser cutter, modeling for the 3D printer

Project 1: Create a piece from only laser cutting that assembles into a 3D art piece. How are pieces interlocking? It must assemble/disassemble.

Week 3: Working on the 3D printer, different techniques, slicing, operation, gcode, workflow

Week 4: Work on Project 1, critique

Project 2: Design a piece on the 3D printer. You can use three or more printed objects. You must consider other students and total print time. It must use electronics.

Week 6: electronics, soldering, circuits, modeling for electronics

Exercise 2: Model a 2″ x 2″ object to be printed. It must have holes and overhang, but will print successfully.

Week 7: in progress critique for project 2, Artists examples, embodiment theory

Week 8: Break

Week 9: 3D printing materials, CNC milling

Week 10: Work on Project 2, critique

Final Project: Using at least 2 digital fabrication techniques, imagine an object or installation that is interactive. It can use electronics, but it doesn’t have to. What are different ways a piece can be interactive? How are you going to manage the time you have to complete this project?

Week 11: Printing/cutting/engraving/milling different materials

Exercise 4: CNC mill a 2D object and a 3D object.

Week 12: More modeling for CNC and 3D printing

Week 13: in progress critique for final project, interactivity

Week 14: Work on Final; group troubleshooting and user testing

Week 15: Final Project and critique.