Fab Academy portfolio Sara Kutkova

In the first week, we talked about the course structure and the basics of Git and Git CI. We also developed and deployed the first basic version of a website that will document our progress throughout the course. I wanted to make my website look more presentable with Hugo static site generator. I haven’t worked with Hugo before, so it was an interesting experience. It was nice to choose from variety of themes, the only thing I struggled with were the default icons. Read more

This week we started to look at 2D and 3D modelling. The aim was to try different modelling tools such as Fusion360 or FreeCAD. It was interesting to hear that we should try to have the sketches fully constrained at the end of sketching/modelling. I was aware of the parametrisation feature in Fusion and used it a lot, but never noticed the degrees of freedom. OpenSCAD When I first heard about this software, I was intrigued because you use programming to model something in 3D. Read more

Group Assignment The page describing the group assignment for this week (kerf measuring, and testing different speed and power) can he found here. Vinylcutter TBD Laser Cutting This week we started to learn about laser cutting. We were introduced to the laser cutter in the lab, and our task was to try to play with the settings and cut something as a project. Preparations: Getting the laser cutter ready Safety first - ventilation must be on (maxed), and we need to make sure that the fire blanket and fire extinguisher are present. Read more

Introduction This week, learnt how to do the PSB milling. We started by generating a toolpaths, then preparing the Roland SRM-20, and after the milling was done, soldering the finished board. This was the first week when I had multiple things go wrong (at least 3 unsuccessfully milled board), but I also learned a lot, and now I make PCBs quite often. Preparing the files From the electronic design week, we got the Gerber files, ideally all layers in the single file, and optionally some drill files. Read more

This week we worked with 3D printers. We focus on learning what a 3D printer can do and its limitations. On this page I will summarize what I know and my discoveries. Group Assignment The page describing the group assignment for this week (test the design rules for your 3D printer) can he found here. Backgroung I was first introduced to 3D printing (and to a concept of a rep rap printers) in 2020, with an old Prusa printer. Read more

This week we worked on embedded programming. We were given a Seeed XIAO RP2040 board from Seeed studios. Overview: https://wiki.seeedstudio.com/XIAO-RP2040/ Figure 1: Hardware overview Soldering The useful tutorial to soldering headers here. I did solder some stuff before, but I am still need more practising. Should’ve watched more tutorials. I like that there are quite a few tools in the lab (such as flux pen and desoldering braid), was happy to get to try all of them. Read more

Group Assignment The page describing the group assignment for this week (runout, alignment, fixturing, speeds, feeds, materials, and toolpaths for our machine) can be found here. Introduction This week we are working with the CNC (computer numerical control) milling machine to make a bigger piece (such a table or shelf). I haven’t worked with the CNC milling machine before, so this was the most challenging week so far. We have two such machines in lab - big and small one. Read more

This week we were working on Electronic design - PCB design. PCB stands for Printed Circuit Board, and it is a board that connects electronic components and provides a pathway for electrical signals to travel between them. It can be very useful to make a custom PCB for a specific project, as this can save space and there won’t be that many cables. Group assignment The page describing the group assignment for this week (using the test equipment to observe the operation of a microcontroller circuit board) can he found here. Read more

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We decided to build a machine that has an ultrasonic welder attached, so it can melt plastics together - to simplify the making of inflatables. Figure 1: The final machine Figure 2: Inflatable we made The two pictures above were not taken by me, and are from our group assignment page. The whole process is documented on our group assignment page, which can be found here. Individual contribution I helped out with building the Acre 1010 machine set based on the instructions from OpenBuilds. Read more