Learn to use a 3D printer, CNC plasma cutter, CNC router and a 2D vinyl cutter to make objects and parts as you would see in Make Magazine, at Maker Fair or in other DIY enthusiast communities such as Hack-a-Day and Thingiverse.
This class will be offered through EIPS Continuing Education at Salisbury Composite High School. It will be three Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9:00 on October 3, 10, and 17 (2013).
Almost all of the design software that we will use is free to download.
Project Ideas/Options:
Plastic toy or replacement part (3D printed)
Wooden letter blocks (CNC routed)
Printed t-shirt (vinyl cut thermal transfer or silk screen printed)
Arcade controller (CNC plasma cut top, parts from Paradise Arcade Shop, box/cabinet made on your own or in the wood shop)
For other ideas, check out Thingiverse or Instructables.
3D Printer
Hardware:
We have a MakerBot Thing-o-Matic 3D printer capable of printing with ABS plastic (the material Lego® is made of). It can print things up to approximately 100 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm.
Software:
Other design software includes Blender, OpenSCAD, ShapeSmith, 3DTin, or whatever CAD program you'd like. Try Onshape.com
Tutorial:
CNC Plasma Cutter
Hardware:
It is a 4' x 8' CNC plasma cutter with a torch capable of cutting up to 3/4" steel.
Software:
Tutorial:
CNC Router/Mill
Hardware:
There is a router attachment for the 4' x 8' CNC plasma cutter, and we also have access to an iCarver 40-913 and a Shark Pro Plus HD.
Software:
or
Tutorials:
Using Sketchup and PyCAM for 3D Milling
Vinyl Cutter
Hardware:
There are three 24" vinyl cutters available. The connected computers run Signlab Vinyl Pro (which is not free), but designs can be created in Inkscape or any other vector (or graphic) editing program.
Software:
Signlab Vinyl Pro (not free)
Tutorials:
Microcontroller Programming Hardware: We have some MSP-430 Launchpad and Teensy 2.0 USB development boards. They are similar to Arduino boards, in fact they can be programmed in the Arduino environment. We'll also have various electronic components. Software: Launchpad Teensy Tutorial:
Laser Cutter
We have some limited access to an Epilog Zing. First Class: What is the "Maker Revolution", introduction to the tools available, project ideas, online environment, documenting projects, deciding what we need to order. |