Chloe K.

The drum machine caught my attention when I opened it, because it played a video of an automated drum playing. The original idea was like an automatic symbol with a wooden piece for the drummer. Their final design was a collection of drums that were wired to all play different beats and tunes with different pitches. The hard part was orchestrating the idea in total and creating all of the electronics.

I picked this project because the video at the beginning caught my attention, especially because it sounded super realistic and the pitches were different.

Some ideas that I would like to try would be take apart realistic foods, such as a s'more or apple, that you can take apart. Another idea would be to create a vending machine or a claw machine that is operable.

Interests that I have are making machines/ devices and learning HOW things work, as opposed to just learning how to make them. I also like aesthetically pleasing things.

1. digital fabrication principles and practices – 1 week

These are the basic principles of the fab lab, and these are used through the entire course. These are concepts and tools one uses throughout the entire class and are vital to final projects, and any construction after this.

2. computer-aided design, manufacturing, and modeling – 1 week

This is the step before the machines, where the student creates and edits a design online and practices with different outlets on the computer, before taking it to the printer, cutter or laser, essentially a prototype design.

3. computer-controlled cutting – 1 week

Having the laser cutter read the designs from your computer and sketches and cut out what you created online, making a touchable laser cutted item, which matches your online design. these involve using programs such as inkscape.

4. electronics design and production – 2 weeks

Making compositions and sonic design using technological platforms, as well as create instruments. This is the process which involves both designing and creating items.

5. computer-controlled machining – 1 week

Using a shopbot machine to program and create designs. this involves layering the shape and editing it on the software.

6. embedded programming – 1 week

This is used for creating microchips, devices you can program to make your machine do things for you. These were created with the help of datasheets, online programs and led lights.

7. 3D molding and casting – 1 week

This involves using programs such as Sketchup 4 and making product molds out of negative space.

8. collaborative technical development and project management – 1 week

This involves using a mixture of digital platforms and machines to create a finalized project idea, mish mashing different surfaces.

9. 3D scanning and printing – 1 week

This uses the x y and z axes and programs such as tinkercad to create a 3 dimensional object, usually out of plastic.

10. sensors, actuators, and displays – 2 weeks

These are devices that send messages to program the chip. The frequencies are different depending on the machine and the action, and it uses a signal to connect the chip with the main machine.

11. interface and application programming – 1 week

This uses processing and pure data as well as coding to change the computer interface of a device.

12. embedded networking and communications – 1 week

These involved hooking up the computer interfaces to program the chip and connect it to the board, which is like the brains of the chip.

13. machine design – 2 weeks

These involved designing a machine to create a final project. This includes programming and using it.

14. digital fabrication applications and implications – 1 week

This uses many different interfaces to create a final project that is applicable to the real world.

15. invention, intellectual property, and business models – 1 week

This invokes the process of creating and orchestrating an idea that is realistic, creative and neat.

16. digital fabrication project development – 2 weeks

This is the creation of multi-purpose instruments and finalizing the product, which should include elements from all of the past lessons.