PracticalMMM

MIMMIKING MACHINES MODULE

OVERVIEW

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be an CNC machine, 3d printer or plotter? Perhaps not, but experiencing a day in the life of your desktop or workshop machines might give you better insight how they work and give you new ideas to work with them in creative ways. In this module you will be asked to think, act and react like a machine. You will build your own apparatuses to carve, print and extrude designs powered by you and your fellow (human) classmates.

Newer fabrication technologies are making it easier to work almost any material with absolute precession and control. Engineers and Technologists have been developing tools such as CNC routers, laser engravers and 3d printers in ways that make them easier to access, afford, and operate. More and more research and development is being dedicated to creating one touch solutions which defer complex decisions to the machine's processor rather than to its operator. While these technologies undoubtably save time, labour, and offer many possibilities to create, how much control do you really have over our work if you do not understand the basic principles behind your tools of production?

The purpose of this course is threefold: 1. to introduce the basic principles of newer fabrication technologies; 2. expose the advantages, but also the limitations of these tools; and 3. create and experiment with new tools for creative production.

FORMAT

This module will includes classical, practise-based, and individual study.

The module is based on 4 biweekly classes of 4 in-class hours each. Each lesson will begin with a quick 30 minute lecture introducing a specific fabrication technology, as well as the principles driving them. The renaming 3.5 hours will be dedicated to the hands-on practise of copying, building, and testing self made machines, and when possible, compared to the automated machine driven result.

Due to the condensed number of classes it is absolutely necessary that you are present and prepared for each and every class. Each week a list of materials will be given for the following class.

SCHEDULE

Date / Time	Location
week 1	Interaction Station (back room/Instruction room without computers)	Program launch – Context of MMM & Digital Craft / assignments and expectations
14 May	-	Ascension Day / No Class
21 May 9:30 - 12:30	Publication Station	I DRAW, YOU DRAW, IT DRAWS (see below for workshop instructions)
28 May 9:30 - 12:30	Digital Craft/Material Station (ground floor Wijnhaven)	THE EXTRUDED, MILLED, & SLICED ALPHABET (see below for workshop instructions)
04 June 9:30 - 12:30	Digital Craft/Material Station (ground floor Wijnhaven)	THE EXTRUDED, MILLED, & SLICED ALPHABET & HUMAN POWERED MACHINE FEEDBACK
11 June 9:30 - 12:30	Digital Craft/Material Station (ground floor Wijnhaven)	THE EXTRUDED, MILLED, & SLICED ALPHABET & HUMAN POWERED MACHINE FEEDBACK
18 June	-	No Class
25 June 10:20 - 12:00	Interaction Station (back room/Instruction room without computers)
02 July 10:20 - 12:00	Interaction Station (back room/Instruction room without computers)	Open Source Factory / Assesment
09 July 10:20 - 12:00	Interaction Station (back room/Instruction room without computers)	Resit
week 10	Nov 10	Proposal Round Table – Plan of Action – Research & Reflection Document Initial Draft

Assessment =

Assessment will be based on the following criteria:

Assignments 1 – 3:

- Attendance and preparation - Comprehension of taught material - Creativity and level of detail of the assignment - Completion of the assignment within given time

Assignment 4:

- Concept of the invented machine - Design (material, form, and construction) of the

 invented machine

- Presentation and instruction of the invented machine