FREE October Tool Trainings at the Fab Lab

[Bissrat Melakeberhan]

FREE workshops with Parts and Crafts in 3D printing, CNC routing, Vinyl Cutter Sticker making, and programming in Javascript. 

We are running a series of FREE workshops --  covering design, tool setup, and hands-on practice -- to introduce people to our basic toolset.  Drop in or take all three sessions to get your tool certification. 

Intro to 3D printing:  3 sessions

The ShopBot is a CNC router that can be used for larger-scale woodworking projects such as sign-making and furniture design.  CNC routers can be used for a variety of carpentry work.  This is a three-session tool training designed to give people an introduction to use this tool safely for your own projects. 

• Design with Fusion 360:  Tuesday Oct 9, 6:30-8 pm.  Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D modeling software tool that combines organic shapes modeling with basic principles of mechanical design. It is a go-to CAD program for people who have outgrown resources like TinkerCAD and want to develop high-quality designs for the 3D printer.  REGISTER HERE
• Setting up the Tool:  Tuesday Oct 16, 6:30-8 pm.   Learn how to use Simplify3D and PreForm to set up your design file for printing. This workshop will cover different types of filament, and basic safety practices for how to operate and use both types of 3D printers that are located at the Fab Lab. .   REGISTER HERE
• Import, Customize and 3D print Models!:  Tuesday Oct 23, 6:30-8 pm.   Customize sample models that can print in under an hour! No experience required NOTE: Depending on scale, print settings, and the amount of design work participants intend to do, it might be necessary to come back during open shop to pick up projects!   REGISTER HERE

Intro to ShopBot:  3 sessions

The ShopBot is a CNC router that can be used for larger-scale woodworking projects such as sign-making and furniture design.  CNC routers can be used for a variety of carpentry work.  This is a three-session tool training designed to give people an introduction to use this tool safely for your own projects. 

• Design with VCarve Pro:  Wednesday Oct 10, 6:30-8 pm.  Learn how to design and set up a 2D file to cut with the ShopBot.  This workshop will focus on drawing and layout in VCarve Pro, including tool demos and workflow, with the goal of getting people set up with a file that they can cut.  REGISTER HERE
• Setting up the Tool:  Wednesday Oct 17, 6:30-8 pm.   Overview of toolpaths, router bit selection, and basic safety procedures for setting up the ShopBot to cut a file.  Import your file from VCarve to ShopBot control software and learn how to safely set up your workspace.   REGISTER HERE
• Fun Stuff:  Design a Sign:  Wednesday Oct 24, 6:30-8 pm.   Use the ShopBot to make something practical or creative! Make a sign, cut it on the Shopbot, hang it up! Participants with independent projects will have an opportunity to design and cut their work.  Build something and take it home with you!  REGISTER HERE

Intro to the Programming: 6 sessions

A series of introductory workshops in computer programming using Javascript, the programming language that runs in your web browser and controls the front-end of most web-software. These workshops build upon each other to give students who aren't familiar with programming a sense of what coding is, how it's done, and what it can do. 

• Intro to Javascript Session 1:  What is Code?:  Thursday Oct 11, 7:00-8:30.  What is code, and how do we write it? We’ll see what code looks like in various forms, where it’s found on the web, how it goes from being “written” to being “run”, and we’ll write simple programs to run in our web browser using the p5.js web editor. Topics: using a text-editor, writing/running code, basic program syntax, color and pixels REGISTER HERE
  
• Intro to Javascript Session 2:  Drawing with Code:  Thursday Oct 18, 7:00-8:30.   Everything on your computer screen is controlled in the background by relationships between numbers. By modifying and changing these numbers we can change what’s on the screen and make things happen. Topics: variables and arithmetic, structure of commands and functions REGISTER HERE
• Intro to Javascript Session 3:  Logic and Flow?:  Thursday Oct 25, 7:00-8:30.  Programs are, at their core, a list of actions for the computer to take and decisions for the computer to make. Through loops and logic we can have control over these actions and decisions. Topics: loops, iteration, variables and conditionals (if-then-else statements)   REGISTER HERE

Vinyl Sticker Cutting: 1 session

 

• Intro to Vinyl Sticker Cutting: Tuesday October 30, 6:30 - 8:00.  Learn how to use the Roland Cut Pro to design and cut vinyl stickers and decals! REGISTER HERE
  

Fabville Open Shop!

Monday - Thursday 

83 Highland Ave

www.fabville.net

The Fab Lab is open to the public Monday through Thursday.  It is FREE and anyone is allowed to come!   You do not have to be a Somerville Public School student or even live in Somerville.  Open shop hours are as follows:

• Monday: 3-5:30
  
• Tuesday:  3-5:30
  
• Wednesday:  3-8 pm
  
• Thursday:  3-8 pm

Where are you located?   FabVille is located on the far east side of the Somerville High school campus  (library side).  To get to the Fab Lab, enter near the gym and go down the stairs to your right, turn left and head to the end of the hallway.  We're at the very end of the Voc Ed department, last door on the right.

Who can come?  Anyone is welcome, but the Fab Lab is primarily geared toward late middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults.  It's a professional toolset, and there's less of the "pull something out and build it!" that we have at Parts and Crafts.  Kids 13 and under should plan to come with a grown-up.  

Does it cost anything?  All classes and workshops are offered free of charge.  This includes advanced classes like Arduino robotics, lasercutting and 3D printing, and materials for small-scale manufacturing. 

Who runs the Fab Lab?  The Fab Lab is run by the City of Somerville in partnership with Parts and Crafts, a kid workshop and community  makerspace located at 577 Somerville Ave.   To find out more about our programs, visit www.partsandcrafts.org. 

Stop by Saturday Open Shop!

Every Saturday from 12-2 pm

@ Parts and Crafts, 577 Somerville Ave

https://www.partsandcrafts.org/makerspace/open-shop/

Every Saturday we open up our shop, from 12:00 p.m. to 2 p.m. to families and other curious folks who want to come in, look around, and make something (or make something happen!)  People are encouraged to bring projects they’d like to work on and explore, but we’ll always have something in mind to get you started if you’re suffering from maker’s block.  Participation is free / by donation.