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Week 1

Assignments

  • Task 1: [Short description] Tasks in the Fab Lab or makerspace

This task is to be completed in your local Fab Lab or makerspace, guided by your local instructor.

Setup the documentation environment with the help of your instructor Explore different digital fabrication processes available in your lab (laser cutter, vinyl cutting, 3D printer). No need to go into specifics just observe the different machines working and reflect on possibilities Discuss with your instructor on policies and safety rules in your lab.

Process

  • Steps followed:
  • Asked for every maker possibility we currently have. These are globally speaking divided in tools. -3D-Printing, mainly Prusa, one resin printer and even a 3D-pen -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
  • A small “electro”-station, for soldering
  • A cutter for simplified circuit boards
  • A complete workplace containing almost all ‘standard’ consumer grade hardware tools.
  • 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.

- Photos / screenshots of key stages

  • Challenges and solutions

Reflection

  • Key learnings -Main takeway 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, everytime for the Fablab to be of education value. Since most of our digital creation is via open-source software like inkscape, modeleling, 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, processs 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 whithin. 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 volounteer 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 practicing with the tools.

Tools

  • Tools 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.

  • Read most (not all) instruction and tutorials given by the FLA in de assignment. One thing as feedback: 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 each course.

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