Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Course Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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ECAD 1025 - How to Make Almost Anything

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 1Lab 4
Course Description: This course is an introduction to “personal digital fabrication” using the Century College Fab Lab modeled after the Fab Lab at MIT. It is designed for “garage inventors”, entrepreneurs, artists, or individuals with new business ideas needing to create prototypes. Students will use laser cutters, 3-D printers, vinyl cutters, ShopBot CNC routers, and desktop milling machines to fabricate and test their design projects. The Lab is designed to allow students to explore their interests in a variety of fields including graphic design, art, business, computer-assisted design (CAD), physical and natural science, mathematics, and engineering.
MnTC Goals
None

Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content
  1. 3D printer technologies
  2. Assembly methods
  3. Casting and molding
  4. Commercial software
  5. Design considerations
  6. Digital fabricating equipment
  7. Digital fabrication
  8. Fab Lab Charter
  9. Laser cutters
  10. Milling machines
  11. Open-source software
  12. Safety procedures
  13. Traditional prototype manufacturing
  14. Vinyl cutters

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course students will be able to:

  1. Describe various material joining methods.
  2. Create images for manufacturing.
  3. Describe acrylic fabrication.
  4. Describe various software titles used in the lab.
  5. Create a final project.
  6. Explain shop safety procedures.
  7. List the equipment in the Fab Lab.
  8. Use the mini-milling machines.
  9. Use the 3D printer.
  10. Use the ShopBot router.
  11. Use the laser cutter.
  12. Use the vinyl cutter.
  13. Describe the history and concepts of the Fab Lab.
  14. Identify various molding and casting procedures.


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