Digital Fabrication Technologies

DESCRIPTION
This course combines open source and/or commercially available software with rapid prototyping equipment such as computer controlled laser cutter, 3D printers, vinyl cutter and milling machines. Students will digitally fabricate different assignments during the semester
learning how to do the fabrication on their own and sharing the experience with others. In this concept, students will "create rather than consume technology" while "locally design and fabricate solutions" removing barriers such as access to equipment or access to expertise or even access to knowhow.

CONTENTS
1. COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN. 2D and 2.5D design: raster vs vector. 3D modeling.Simulation.
2. COMPUTER CONTROLLED CUTTING. Vinyl cutter: applications, materials, settings. Laser cutter: safety, gain medium, applications, materials, settings.
3. 3D SCANNING AND PRINTING. Printing: constraints, processes, machines. File formats. Software. Scanning.
4. COMPUTER CONTROLLED MACHINING. Safety. Tooling. Speeds and feeds. Sacrificial layer. Flexures, living hinges and kerfing.

METHODOLOGY
All topics will began with theoretical and practical lectures handling the main concepts of the subject and involving first hand exercises with the machines in question. During the semester students will develop and fabricate different weekly assignments closely related to each and every subject of the course content.
These assignments will have two elements: a digital design and one physical model. The digital design will have to be committed to the weekly task of the course and the physical model will have to be presented to the professor for assessment. On the other hand, these acquired digital fabrication skills will serve to develop one complex project involving the other courses of the semester.

ASSESSMENT
Weekly assignments: 50%
Final project: 50%

READINGS
All the needed documentation, to successfully finish every assignment, will be available to students through ALUD online platform in Digital Fabrication Technologies course.