Week 1 - Introduction¶
Assignments¶
- Tasks in the Fab Lab or maker-space
This task is to be completed in your local Fab Lab or maker-space, guided by your local instructor.
Setup the documentation environment with the help of your instructor Discuss with your instructor on policies and safety rules in your lab.
Process¶
Steps followed: I Asked for every maker possibility we currently have. These are globally speaking divided in types of tools
3D-Printing mainly Prusa, one resin printer and even a 3D-pen We have some older ‘ender-type’ models to
- Lasercutter, both large and small
- CNC woodcutting
- Vinyl Cutter to cut vinyl stickers
- A hotpress to print t-shirts, and one to print mugs.
- Buttonmaker
Electronics and soldering
- An electrics-station, for soldering, and assembling electronics
- A cutter for simplified circuit boards
Other
- A complete workplace containing almost all ‘standard’ consumer grade hardware tools.
Textile manufacturing At our FabLab we have a special dedicated section for textile. Its a crossover between FabLab and Textile lab. And has some interesting machines namely a knitting and an embroidery machine.
Challenges and solutions: Some machines run on older software, which has to be taken in mind when operating or using terminals to use them. Others need good maintenance, and we don’t always have the funds, knowledge or time to fix it up quickly.
Reflection¶
Key learning: Main takeaway is that most things are possible within this Fablab. Some things we are still working out, because we just moved to this location 3 months ago. However most of our tools and set-up is operational, there are still some small challenges to check if all our machines are working as intented.
How it applies to your teaching / context: Not everything has to work all the time, every time for the Fablab to be of education value. Since most of our digital creation is via open-source software like Inkscape, modelling, drawing, and sketching are at all times available for use and education. Education had a two part- a understanding of the process, and its limitations, and a hands on (digital) designer process. Though linked, the basic understanding of tools, process and functions, however changing is tied to the hands on learning in a way that it sets its limitations. Tools, materials are limited use, and are the borders where the student, or creator can operate within. Keeping our physical and material limitations in mind, the hands-on education is very personalized. Based on individual skill, ambition, and goals. At Fablab our goal is not: Creating things for others, rather, the creation by others is our thing.
Next steps or improvements For most tools it requires some manual reading combined with a personal instruction by a experienced volunteer to be able to create or use the tool as fast, and good as possible. While some things require me using a tool once or twice, the real learning comes from practising with the tools.
Tools¶
Tools and/or software used: For this week I used all the tools given to be by the FabLearning Academy: Gitlab, EduFab.io, Digital Diary,
References or tutorials followed: I’ve read most (not all) instruction and tutorials given by the FLA in de assignment.
One thing as feedback to the FLA instruction: The abysmal audio from the person giving the tutorial about Gitlab, and the Digital Diary. Replacing that video with a proper tutorial (with chapters, steps, clear audio backed by visual) about FLA, Gitlab, and it’s inner workings would clean up digital logistics at the start of the course.