Schedule – Intro to Digital Fabrication

1 · 1/21 · Introductions

in class

overview
- people
- about the class
- course structure
- expectations
class website
- people
- schedule
- resources
  - accessing tutorials
- research
- portfolio pages
dFab Studio tour
intro to Rhino
- overview
- interface
- geometry types
- 2D basics
portfolio page setup (time permitting)

homework

Website
- log in
- set a profile picture and bio on your portfolio page
- get familiar with the website and resources
- upload homework documentation as noted below
Rhino Tutorials
There are multiple resources we will use for learning Rhino. There are tutorials built in to Rhino. These can be accessed by the “Tutorials” command, or via the top menu bar Window > Panels > Tutorials. There you will find the Rhino Level 1 Training Manual PDF (2023 edition) with supporting Rhino files. There is also a User’s Guide PDF and supporting files which has similar content that you can explore if you want another take on these subjects. The Level 1 Training Manual will be our primary learning resource. This is not simply a reading assignment; your are to complete the exercises in the manual. Save your completed files for uploading to your portfolio page where indicated. Note that this Training Manual is written for Rhino 6, but is still valid for Rhino 8. Video tutorials will also be provided as an optional supplement to the manual.
- Ch 2 – Getting the Models (1-2)
- Ch 3 – What is Rhino? (pg 3-8)
  - Video – Object Types in Rhino (4:15)
- Ch 4 – Rhino Interface (pg 7-37)
  - Save files for exercises 4-2 and 4-4
  - Video – UI Overview (5:11)
  - Video – Navigation and Display (2:53)
- Ch 5 – Modeling Helpers (pg 39-52)
  - Save files for exercises 5-1
  - Video – Selection Methods (2:51)
  - Video – Gumball (3:25)
- upload a single image file (Rhino->File->Print->Image File) and a single Rhino file for each of the three specified exercises to your portfolio page
Add some music to the class playlist.

2 · 1/28 · 2D Drawing with Rhino

in class

Review Homework
Exercises
- Word Tracing Exercise
  - generate 5 random words and pick one that you like
  - Use a font generator to create an image of this word (150 px tall)
  - place the image file into your Rhino document using the “picture” command
  - scale it so that the letters are 2″ tall and add a rectangular border this with a .5″ margin
  - trace the image using the variety of Rhinos curve creation and editing tools
  - repeat this process three times so that you have examples with text that is primarily:
    - linear
    - geometric
    - organic/script
  - save your file and and image of your drawings
  - post your file and your image on you portfolio page

homework

Readings
- Laser overview
- dFab Laser Manual
Tutorials
- Rhino Level 1 Training Manual
  - Ch 6 – Precision Modeling
  - Ch 7 – Editing Geometry
Projects
- begin thinking and sketching for Project I: Luminous Object

3 · 2/4 · Introduction to Laser Cutting

in class

Homework review
Laser Cutting
- proper file prep
- machine safety and operations
creating basic 3D geometry
unrolling 3D geometry to 2D
Introduce Project I: Luminous Object

homework

Rhino Level 1 Training Manual
- review prior lessons and catch up as needed
Exercises
- complete laser word exercise and add to your portfolio page
- Begin work on Project I: Luminous Object

4 · 2/11 · Project I Work Day

in class

Work on Project I
ad hoc demos

homework

Complete Project I

5 · 2/18 · Critique

in class

Critique of Project I
Object copy demo
Introduce Project II

homework

Rhino Level 1 Training Manual
- Ch 8 – Point Editing
- Ch 9 – Creating Deformable Shapes
- Ch 10 – Modeling with Solids
- Ch 11 – Creating Surfaces
select an object for your object copy exercise and bring it to class

6 · 2/25 · 3D Printing

in class

Student Presentation
Object Copy Demo
3D printing Demo
Object Copy exercise

homework

Document work
Complete Object Copy
Plan Project II
- sketch
- select copy object
- select found object

7 · 3/4 · Project II Work Day

in class

Student Presentations
Review Object Copies
Project II Work Day

homework

Complete Project II

8 · 3/11 · Project II Critique

in class

Project II Critique
Student Presentations

homework

Document Project II and upload to you portfolio page
CNC Preview (optional head start)
- Readings
  - dFab CNC Manual (Sections 1-8 , i.e. pages 1-33)
- Tutorials
  - RhinoCAM 2020: Milling Quick Start Guide
  - RhinoCAM 2020: Introduction to 2½ Machining

9 · 3/18 · Spring Break

10 · 3/25 · Intro to CNC

in class

Student Presentations
Overview of the FANUC CNC router
CAD Layouts for CNC
Intro to setting toolpaths in RhinoCAM
Sample milling
Work on toolpaths in RhinoCAM for 2.5D Exercise
Mill parts for 2.5D Exercise

homework

Readings
- dFab CNC Manual (Sections 1-8 , i.e. pages 1-33)
Tutorials
- RhinoCAM 2020: Milling Quick Start Guide
- RhinoCAM 2020: Introduction to 2½ Machining

11 · 4/1 · CNC

in class

Student Presentations
Overview of the FANUC CNC router
CAD Layouts for CNC
Intro to setting toolpaths in RhinoCAM
Sample milling
Work on toolpaths in RhinoCAM for 2.5D Exercise
Mill parts for 2.5D Exercise

homework

Catch up on Portfolio documentation, if needed
Review the RhinoCAM tutorials from last week
- RhinoCAM 2020: Milling Quick Start Guide
- RhinoCAM 2020: Introduction to 2½ Machining
Preview 3D milling in RhinoCAM
- RhinoCAM 2020: Introduction to 3 Axis Machining
Begin modeling for 3D milling Exercise
- Design a form to be milled into a foam block that is 11.75″ x 11.75″ x 2″, with a 1/4″ margin on the sides and bottom.
Begin ideation for CNC project