Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Identify and utilise version control protocols.
  • Evaluate and select 2D and 3D software.
  • Demonstrate and describe the processes used in modelling with 2D and 3D software.
  • Demonstrate and describe parametric 2D modelling processes.
  • Identify and explain the processes involved in using the laser cutter.
  • Develop, evaluate and construct the final prototype.
  • Described the process of milling, stuffing, de-bugging and programming in electronics production.
  • Apply design methods and production processes in 3D printing and 3D scanning to show their understanding of the topic.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 13.01.2021 - 25.02.2021

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Matti Niinimäki, Krisjanis Rijnieks

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Matti Niinimäki, Krisjanis Rijnieks

Contact information for the course (valid 08.12.2020-21.12.2112):

Krisjanis Rijnieks
Workshop Master at Aalto Fablab
krisjanis.rijnieks@aalto.fi
+358 504645185

Matti Niinimäki
Lecturer, Head of the Major, New Media Design and Production
matti.niinimaki@aalto.fi

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    This course is one of three Digital Fabrication courses offered by Aalto Media Lab and Aalto Fab Lab. These courses runs parallel to the global Fab Academy lectures and follow the same distributed educational model.

    This first course in the series introduces the essential skills and knowledge in digital fabrication with a focus on creating prototypes, products, and machines that include embedded electronics.

    During the courses, students will learn a full stack of prototyping skills ranging from web development and version control to CAD modelling and electronics production. In-depth understanding of how the machines work and their limitations will lead to better digital design strategies for manufacturing which can reduce project time in the case of teamwork. The Digital Fabrication courses also introduce the Fab Lab as a playground for digital fabrication where there is everything you need for rapid prototyping set up in a way to reduce the duration of feedback loops.

    More details on the course content can be found in the course syllabus for each implementation of the course.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Please remember to register for the Digital Fabrication Studio (DOM-E5158) course as well if you plan to take the full Fab Academy equivalent! Note that Digital Fabrication I course continues with the Digital Fabrication II and III. All of them together cover the whole spring semester and can give you up to 27 ECTS.

    This course is a part of a series of courses that are designed to overlap the Fab Academy. The full package of courses covers 21 weekly assignments that span a time period from mid-January to end of June.

    As described on the official website, Fab Academy is a fast paced, hands-on learning experience where students learn rapid-prototyping by planning and executing a new project each week, resulting in a personal portfolio
    of technical accomplishments.

    This course covers the following topics from the official Fab Academy curriculum.

    • Principles and Practices
    • Project Management
    • Computer Aided Design
    • Computer-Controlled Cutting
    • Electronics Production
    • 3D Scanning and Printing
    • Electronics Design

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    The course consists of lectures, hands-on examples, and weekly assignments.

    Evaluation of the course is based on the official Fab Academy evaluation criteria. Most of the weekly assignments and the final project have to be completed and well documented in order to pass the course.

    More details on the assessment methods and criteria can be found in the course syllabus for each implementation of the course.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Course work must be documented in the form of a website and it is going to be the main content to be evaluated. Check the Fab Academy final project documentation examples. It is important to master HTML basics
    and learn about version control using Git. We will be using GitLab as our hosting provider and GitLab CI as a tool to publish our websites. Please familiarize yourself with the following.

    Check the Fab Academy Assessment Guide for more information on what are the requirements for each weekly assignment.

Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    6 ECTS

    • 160 hours total
    • Contact teaching: 42 hours
    • Independent work: 118 hours

    Attendance to lectures is compulsory. Minimum attendance 80%.

    More details on the workload can be found in the course syllabus for each implementation of the course.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Instruction time, design, work
    with the machines and documentation
    effort are to be included in the workload. Your documentation is the
    best way how to show how much time and effort you have spent towards a
    project. Make sure it is up to date and shows what you have learned
    in great detail.

    Global and local lectures will be available
    as streamed media. It is not required to be at the lab to do design
    work. It is especially important during COVID-19 that you use your lab
    time carefully. Come to the lab when your design is ready and you are
    able to start using the machines and workspaces right away.


DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    • Gershenfeld, Neil A., Alan Gershenfeld, and Joel Cutcher-Gershenfeld. Designing Reality: How to Survive and Thrive in the Third Digital Revolution. New York: Basic Books, 2017.
    • Chacon, Scott and Ben Straub. Pro Git. https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2
    • Redwood, Ben, Filemon Schöffer, and Brian Garret. The 3D Printing Handbook: Technologies, Design and Applications. Amsterdam: 3D Hubs B.V., 2017.
    • Fab Academy website: http://fabacademy.org/

    Other materials will be provided during the course.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    You are welcome to explore the Fab Academy final projects and watch lecture recordings from the previous years.

    Books
    are available at the lab and there is going to be more specific
    material related to individual assignments during the local lectures.


Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Required:

    • Introduction to Workshops and Production Facilities
    • Introduction to Creative Coding
    • Electronics for Artists

    Or equivalent knowledge in programming and electronics, as well as familiarity with the Aalto Fab Lab and other workshops in Aalto.

    The student should also enroll to the Digital Fabrication Studio course that runs parallel to the Digital Farication courses.

    Recommended for students without any experience in web design and development:

    • Internet Technologies and Techniques
    • Contemporary Web Development

Registration for Courses
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    In Weboodi, at the latest one week before the course starts.

    Maximum 12 students.

    Students must meet all prerequisites and have the course in their approved study plan. Priority will be given to fulltime MA in New Media students as this course is an integral part of their alternative studies.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Aalto Fablab is going to be the
    main location for the course. Due to the COVID-19 situation, we will be
    trying to do as much as possible online.

    Global lectures are online only - it is not required to be at the lab. Local lectures will be streamed online if the content does not involve machine use. It is most likely that content will be streamed on-line for the first weeks of the course.

    The main purpose of the course is to provide an academic overlay for taking the Fab Academy.

    As
    an alternative, this course can be used to familiarize yourself with
    the Aalto Fablab and produce a final project equivalent. It can be a
    practical part for another course, the practical part of your master's
    thesis or a personal study project.

    You
    should learn to document on the go. Do not leave it for the last minute
    as significant detail of documentation is required to pass the course.



SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    10 Reduced Inequality

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    All Digital Fabrication courses from the New Media study programme are committed to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

    Industry, Innovation and Infrastucture

    The Fab Academy course consists of 21 weeks that cover topics related to the state-of-the-art practices used in the digital (fabrication) industry as well as contributes to innovation and infrastructure. With the skill set acquired during the course one can catch up with jobs in the industry, invent her own job or contribute to the infrastructure with exceptionally innovative solutions and services.

    Reduced Inequalities

    The course focuses on skills and workflows that are accessible and affordable. Use of open source and free software is encouraged to reduce the proffessional dependencies on commercial proprietary tools. Fab Academy aims to foster understanding about how things work in order to be able to build things instead of being forced to buy them.

    Responsible Consumption and Production

    Digital fabrication as such is a process where most of the work happens digitally in the computer. Virtual models are being made and fabrication tools are used to test a design at the end of a development iteration. Using biodegradable and recycleable materials is encouraged as well as choosing the right materials for a design to reduce enviromental impact during and after its life cycle. Students are also encouraged to critically evaluate the environmental impact and other problems of the so-called maker culture and digital fabrication processes themselves.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Aalto Fablab is going to be the
    main location for the course. Due to the COVID-19 situation, we will be
    trying to do as much as possible online.

    Global lectures are online only - it is not required to be at the lab. Local lectures will be streamed online if the content does not involve machine use. It is most likely that content will be streamed on-line for the first weeks of the course.

    The main purpose of the course is to provide an academic overlay for taking the Fab Academy.

    As
    an alternative, this course can be used to familiarize yourself with
    the Aalto Fablab and produce a final project equivalent. It can be a
    practical part for another course, the practical part of your master's
    thesis or a personal study project.

    You
    should learn to document on the go. Do not leave it for the last minute
    as significant detail of documentation is required to pass the course.



Details on the schedule
  • Applies in this implementation:

    We will be following the course
    schedule published on the Fab Academy website.

    You are welcome to join the global and local lectures as well as use the lab for individual work.

    • Wednesdays 16:00 - 19:00 (Global lecture, online)
    • Thursdays 16:00 - 19:00 (Local lecture, depends)
    • Use the lab opening times (Mon-Fri, 9-16) to do individual work on-site

    You will be required to book machine time ahead. Working in groups is an option.