1-week: Fabrication Foundations with Hand Tools

Unit 1: Chassis Plate Fabrication (Acrylic)

In this unit, students will create a chassis plate from acrylic while learning basic fabrication skills:

• Key Skills: Measuring, interpreting technical drawings, using hand tools, and checking measurement accuracy.
• Lessons & Challenges:
  • Cutting acrylic and corners.
  • Drilling holes and creating slots with precision.
  • Mini-challenges to drill and make smaller slots.
• Project: Build a completed chassis plate.
• Assessment: Unit 1 Quiz.

Unit 2: Motor Mount Fabrication (Aluminum)

In this unit, students will fabricate motor mounts to attach motors to a chassis using aluminum. They will learn advanced fabrication skills, including bending and shaping.

• Key Skills: Cutting, drilling, filing, creating curves, and bending aluminum with a bending die.
• Lessons & Challenges:
  • Cutting and drilling aluminum.
  • Creating rounded corners and curves.
  • Mini-challenges for drilling and making precise shapes.
• Project: Create a functional motor mount.
• Assessment: Unit 2 Quiz.

Unit 3: Sensor Mount Fabrication (3D Printing)

This unit introduces students to 3D printing by creating a sensor mount to properly position sensors on a robot.

• Key Skills: 3D modeling, preparing models for printing, and using 3D printers.
• Lessons & Challenges:
  • Introduction to 3D modeling software.
  • Preparing, printing, and cleaning 3D models.
• Project: Modify and print a sensor mount to align with the chassis.
• Assessment: Unit 3 Quiz.

Course Completion:

By the end of the course, they will have gained foundational fabrication skills and created three functional components: a chassis plate, motor mount, and sensor mount. These projects prepare students for further engineering, robotics, and design exploration.