1. Principles and practices

This week I worked on defining my final project idea and started getting used to the documentation process. This should include:

  • Plan and sketch a potential final project, by exploring graduated students’ final projects

Desired Outcomes

  • Communicate an initial project proposal

Results

Description: Complete assignments and produce outcomes of Week 1 Principles and practices.

Planning: The planning up to the week was intense, but occurred over a 2 year period of time; I will cover that in a Prequel yet to be recorded :)

Materials: Using current laptop, internet connection, paper and pencil, as well as prior knowledge.

Problems: With my Induction into the Fab Lab Network and my Initiation into Fab Academy 2019 secured, by following the recommendation of Fab Academy Team, I had been looking through and watching some of last year’s classes, and tutorials, to make sure basic notions were acquired in advance. However, the first day in class was like the first day of learning to drive a car (without a windscreen ;) I did have attempted interruptions, but I was able to filter the effect.

Corrections: Now that I was certain of the interface and saw Fab Academy before my eyes, I relaxed and enjoyed the ride. Interruptions were filtered and addressed after the global lecture.

Workflow:

  • I used BlueJeans as the interface on my laptop in the GOCAT Fab Lab with paper and pencil for notes.
  • I had already previewed the presentation, so I could enjoy listening to Neil lecture with his brothers (what a wonderful surprise!).
  • I took screenshots throughout the global lecture to capture the experience.

Success: I made it through the entire global lecture and got to say Bye! to the planet. I walked around, as if in outer space, for several hours :)

Next Step: Communicate the Final Project idea on my student Fab Academy site.

Initial Project Proposal

Project: Fab Academy 2019 Final Project Initial Proposal

Purpose: Propose a final project masterpiece that demonstrates the following required Learning

Outcomes:

  • Create my own integrated design
  • Demonstrate 2D & 3D modelling capabilities applied to my own designs
  • Select and apply appropriate additive and subtractive techniques
  • Demonstrate competence in design, fabrication and programming of my own fabbed microcontroller PCB, including an input & output device

Additionally, the following goals must be observed:

  • Demonstrate synthesis of skills I developed in the previous weeks
  • Keep it as affordable as possible
  • Design and fabricate my own parts instead of buying off-the-shelf components
  • Prove mastery of the skills gained during the program

Learning Outcomes:

  • Communication of an initial project proposal

Introduction:

The initial project proposal has the intent of communicating the ultimate Final Project that I will be able to make after completing the 20 weeks of learning leading up to its completion. After discovering the Fab Academy, the prospect of being able make (almost) anything enables me to think of many ideas I have only dreamed of making before this time.

The projects that I complete as I work toward the Final Project will allow me to explore the possibilities, as well as refine the vision of the Final Project.

Scenario:

The greatest attraction that guided me to the Fab Academy was the desire to build a wooden sailboat; something that has been too lofty for my skill set. While this may be too ambitious for the timeframe allotted, a cardboard boat may be a more doable project.

Although a carboard boat would be feasible, it only produces the first 3 outcomes, without producing the fourth: “Demonstrate competence in design, fabrication and programming of my own fabbed microcontroller PCB, including an input & output device”. To produce the fourth outcome, I propose making a wearable information and navigation device; one that would keep a sailor informed while underway.

While most of the parts will be obtained from existing resources, new and reused, the goal to design and fabricate my own parts instead of buying off-the-shelf components will be accomplished in the wearable information device.

As this work progresses, the projects of each week will be explored while the results will be incorporated into this project; the refinement of the results will insure the development of the carboard boat and wearable device as well as the following deliverables:

  • Slide: 1920 x 1080 pixels with your name, project name, Fab Lab name, a photo/render/sketch of your project, a brief description of what your project is/does
  • ~1 minute (10MB/1080p/720p) video of you explaining your project
  • Separate Final Project page that briefly summarizes your project and
  • BOM (Bill of Materials) for your project
  • Links of page to any weeks that I worked on my final project
  • Links to my presentation.png and presentation.mp4
  • All original design files in the archive (2D & 3D, board files & code) No external hosting of final project files
  • The license I chose
  • Acknowledgement of work done by others

Deliverables:

  • Post a sketch of the Initial Project Proposal on my Fab Academy site:

  • Describe what it will do and who will use it: This boat will support me in the water and enable me to navigate and arrive safely at a beach different that the one I left. Once tested to be seaworthy, others may take her out. A display of heading, water temperature, and wind will be provided to the rider through sensors and a wearable.