FABU Workshop

We've been introduced to the 4 Industrialize Revolution:

IR1; Steam Engines

IR2; Electronic Devices

IR3; Digital Technology

IR4; Smart Technology (present)

Then we learnt about 3 different major techniques

1. Formative

Which simply means using a cast or mold like, blow molding, cast molding and so on.

The negative is the mold and the positive is the product.

2. Subtractive

Which means taking away material from it. It takes away the negative directly using either hand tools or CMCs.

3. Additive

Which means going straight away to the positive, layer by layer for example 3D printing.

The mostly used 3d printer is FFF/FDM, (fused filament fabrication, fused deposition modelling).

We later learnt that in terms of quantity formative is very cheap, subtractive is slightly more expensive while additive, the price remain constant.

Therefore additive is more suitable for prototypes while the 2 other are more suitable for batch production.

We were recommended to look at the following to choose our desired method;

1. complexity of our design

2. Size

3. Volume (quantity)

4. Speed

5. Operators (service providers and their prices)

6. Aesthetic

We learnt about an embroidery machine which sounds very complex to use cuz you will need to already know which colors you want and assign them manually on the machine for it to create the design automatically to the design... if it makes sense... like there's a part of it which is manual work.

Then we were introduced to laser cutting. These are some things to take into considerations;

• make sure to unite the shapes in Illustrator, avoid overlapping lines

• Add each shapes to a different layer

• first cut on a layer

• second engraving on another

• third engraving with deeper engraving on another

• Refer to the guide, how dark you want the engrave to be on which material

• Adjust the power and speed accurately (higher power, slow speed=wood will burn)

• Start with the inside first then move to the outside

Process;

1. open up ai file (make sure to save in cs4)

2. export to the laser cutting software

3. set the adjustment

4. preview

5. put the wood in the machine

6. positions the laser cutter in the right spot (make sure to choose a right area so as not to waste the material)

7. Make sure the laser cutter is set to the right height (mostly use another scrap to see the right height.

8. Tryout without the laser switched on

9. begin the process

We also learnt about the different type of...special cuts such as a cut which allows the wood to curve and another cut that helps you with your wood joints.

After that we learnt about Fabric printing, mostly Heat Transfer on Polyester cloth. It will be print from a fabric printer, it will be printed on a special type of paper and then using a different machine to transfer the design unto the cloth, hold it for at least 40s and it will be printed.