7. Computer Controlled Machining
This week we focus on computer controlled machining. The group assignment called for participants to: - Complete your lab's safety training - Test runout, alignment, fixturing, speeds, feeds, materials and toolpaths for your machine - Document your work to the group work page and reflect on your individual page what you learned The learning outcomes expected are: - Demonstrate 2D design development for CNC milling production - Describe workflows and operation for large format CNC machining To view my work on this, please clicke here. This week for my individual project, participants are asked to make (design + mill + assemble) something big. I decide to make an interactive design that celebrates agricultural changes.
Research
User Positioning
This week I decided to focus on exploring the physical aspects of my final project that cosider the whole user experience. My final project is two pieces, a handheld device and a wearable device. I'd also like to begin exploring the future possibility of a third aspect, the user's positioning.
Postures
There are a few postures to be considered within user experience related to technology and brainstorming practices.
- Gaming Posture
- Digital Journaling annd Writing Postures
Gaming Posture
1. The "Gamer Lean" (Active Sitting)
- The Position: Sitting on the edge of a chair or courch leaning forward with elbows on knees
- User Experience Impact: This position signals intense focus narrowing the user's visual field to the center of a screen creating a high cognitive load
2. Reclined Couch Gaming (Passive Sitting)
- The Position: Leaning back into a couch, device held low in the lap.
- User Experience Impact: This position lowers heart rate and promotes a relaxed exploratory mindset.
Digital Journaling & Writing Postures
1. Fully Prone or Supine (Lying Down)
- The Position: Lying Flat on the back holding the device overhead, or on the stomach propped up on user's elbows.
- User Experience: This position leads to rapid muscle fatigue. This position is also correlated with late night or early morning reflection.
2. Casual Lounging (Hunched over a device)
- The Position: Sitting with the spine curved looking downward.
- User Experience: This position can be comfortable but can lead to physical next strain over time. Users should be encouraged to pause, breathe and or stretch before physical discomfort causes distraction.
Desgining the Seat
Design Considerations based on Research
Once I researched more on postures and how it relates to user experience I decided that I wanted to focus on creating a piece of furniture that promotes wellness and reflection in conjuntion with my final project.
I want to create a relined seat designed specifically for handheld interacton that must solve the unique physical strains caused by gravity pulling down on the user's arms and head.
Elevated, Articulated Forearm Supports:- The Problem: In a standard reclined position, holding a console in front of the face causes rapid shoulder and bicep fatigue.
- The Solution: The chair needs adjustable, padded armrests that tilt upward. This supports the weight of the forearms, allowing the user to float the console effortlessly at eye level without muscle strain.
- The Problem: Reclining usually forces the eyes to look at the ceiling. To look down at a handheld screen, the user must bend their neck forward, causing severe strain.
- The Solution: A contoured, adjustable headrest that gently pushes the head forward into a "neutral gaze" position, aligning the eyes directly with the naturally held console.
- The Problem: Reclining makes it difficult to reach standard side tables.
- Build a dedicated docking recess into the armrest with charging station. This allows the user to easily grab or store the console without breaking their relaxed posture.
Naturally, with the time I have I wont be able to do everything listed here, but i'm interested in seeing how close I can get.
Digital Design: Fusion 360
I designed my prototype in Fusion 360 because I want to practice more using this software and plan to move my design files over to VCarve once they are complete. I will be usint the ShopBot to Mill my pieces so I will need to move my design files to Vcarve in order to controll the Shop Bot.
I began by designing the back rest angle of the seat.
I wanted this seat to be easily assembled as lightweight as possible so instead of creating one flat board for the seat, I decided to go with slats that could be interlocked into the main frame.
The 5 W's for this project, and the one H.
The 5 Ws and 1 H are important for establishing the framework of any project, workshop, activity, or class. Once established, project engineers are able to have a clear picture of the steps neede to move forwared efficiently. The addition of 'How' (the 1 "h") allows project engineers to assess issues like budget and any other challegnes or opportunities. 1. Why 2. What 3. Who 4. When 5. Where 1. How1. Why
I want to create something that teaches important local agricultural information while being fun or helpful to the user.2. What
I want to use natural materials such as wood to create a 'life sized' immersive interpretive exhibit that represents agricultural facts specific to Georgia, USA. I plan to focus on the currenct season (early spring 2026) and will be choosing a plant, insect/butterfly, or animal that is natie to my community. I will research a bit about the subject and create an interpretive interactive installation that will provide the community an opprotunity to learn more about the world around us and how we can positively interact with it for our benefit.1. Who
My community and communities similar to mine across the state of Georgia in the USA. I also hope that communities across the world feel welcome to take this concept and make it reflect their communities.1. When
Week 7 of Fabacademy 2026, March 4, 2026 is when I began this journey. I will add milestone notes as I create more projects related to this concept.1. Where
Unless otherwise mentioned, this week's project will be completed at the Fort Valley State University Fab Lab in Warner Robins, Georgia. I hope that I will be able to update this page with any traveling outcomes as the FVSU Fab Lab does STEM outreach across the state of Georgia.1. How
I will utilize the following: Software - Fusion 360 - VCarve - Shop Bot Control Software Machines - Shop Bot 48 x 96 - Epilog Laser 40 Watt 22 x 11 Materials - Plywood 4' x 8' - Acrylic - Vinyl"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Useful links
Documentation and Publishing
The first time that I worked with computer code was with my father at the end of the 1900s. My father is a computer engineer, and I grew up watching him build computers and debugg whatevere virus my siblings and I unwittingly added to the system. Working with him to build entire computer systems or him coming home with a new CD-ROM to teach kids everything from typing to math through computer games are truly special memories for me. I've dabbled with tech my entire life thanks to him. Being apart of fabacademy this year is giving me an opportunity to continue that bond with my dad who is still an avid techie in his late 70s. This august was my first attempt at website building through lines of code since my childhood. I have no prior experience with GitHub or GitLab or any associated terminology. For a more indepth look into my jounrey of understanding please see my Fabricademy 2026 documentation. I will begin here by discussing the difference between MarkDowns and HTML editing.
Gallery
Video
From Vimeo
Sound Waves from George Gally (Radarboy) on Vimeo.
From Youtube