Fabrication Foundations (with Hand Tools) Anytime Online Training
Enjoy the convenience of taking Robotics Academy courses from anywhere in the world and at your own pace, with support and guidance from our highly qualified instructors. Anytime Online classes feature a hybrid learning model where participants receive just-in-time instructional videos as they work through course content in our learning management system.
In this training, you will learn how to teach the fabrication competencies real-world robotics technicians use every day. Tuition includes online access to CS2N and Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy Training Materials. To follow along with this course, you will need some tools and inexpensive classroom materials (not included with tuition).
Fabrication Foundations focuses on the foundational concepts around being able to read and interpret drawings so that you can fabricate parts using materials like acrylic and metal. In this course, students learn how to use tools like saws and drills to cut material. Students also learn how to use measuring tools like combination squares, and dial calipers. For the last unit, students learn how to configure, and prepare a 3D printer for printing. The hands-on projects include making a chassis, motor mount, and also 3D printing a sensor mount. It is one of five courses developed as part of the Smart Manufacturing and Advanced Robotics Training (SMART) Project, funded by the ARM Institute. Please see Robotics Technician Curricula for more information.
The Unit Projects for Fabrication Foundations can be used in the Electrical Foundations course. For instance, the chassis in Unit 1 of Fabrication Foundations can be used for the 2-Wheeled Cart for Electrical Foundations.
Teacher AND Student Certifications Included!
Enrollment in this training now includes Certification for the participating educator AND two of their students, valued at $400. Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy Certifications serve as continuing education credits for the educator and provide their students with evidence of learning gains in robotics and coding. Certifications as part of our SMART Robotics Technician Program are endorsed by the ARM Institute.
There is no schedule!
You can train at your own pace and at any time you want!
Syllabus
For the first unit, we are introduced to fabrication by using a piece of acrylic to make a small chassis of a robot. To do this we must read a drawing to understand the dimensions needed for the cuts and holes. This is where we start to use tools to mark the piece like a scribe, combination square, and also the Bench Vise. Lots of care had to be taken in order to make sure that the acrylic does not crack during the sawing phase of the project.
For the second unit, we fabricate a motor mount (for a small motor). This time, we use a metal (aluminum). The piece of aluminum that we use is a much harder material, and also requires different drill bits to cut through the metal. Students get to use some new tools to create some more complex cuts like the radius Radius Gauge.
For this final unit, we learn how to use a 3D printer. To do this, we have to make sure the 3D printer is configured properly, and then load a 3D model into software to prepare it for printing. Some modifications have to be done in the Unit Project in order to have the holes line up with the holes in the chassis.
The following is required to complete this course:
Fabrication Foundations Materials list**
**Some materials such as the tools, or the 3D printer model, can be substituted for a similar version. However, please note that minor adaptations will need to be made in order to account for those modifications.
Computer System Requirements
- Windows® 7, 8, 10 or later / Mac® OSX 10.8 or later
- Modern Web Browser and PDF Viewer
- At least one available USB port
- Broadband Internet connection
We use Ultimaker Cura and Autodesk Fusion 360 in this course. Please use the following links to see the system requirements:
Tuition Cost - $399
Use the links to the top-right to register or checkout instantly.
Upon Completion
- 36 ACT 48 credits for Pennsylvania teachers
- Opportunity to earn a Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy Certification stating 36 hours of professional development
Policies
Privacy
We will only use personal information (such as name, mailing address or e-mail address) contained in your registration or correspondence to respond to your questions or provide Robotics Academy updates. If you enter a chat area or post messages, remember that other users may have access to your email address and user name. The Robotics Academy will not share any personal information provided by you with any unauthorized person or company except where the disclosure is required by law or is necessary to comply with legal process.
Certificate of Completion Requirements
To earn the Certification, class attendees must complete all course assignments to the satisfaction of the instructor and pass the certification exam.
Class Eligibility
Classes at the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy are available to individuals who are at least 18 years of age and minors who have parental consent to enroll. The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy reserves the right to restrict, suspend or terminate any student for violation of these policies. In consideration of your involvement with the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, you agree to provide true, accurate and current information about yourself when you register. If you provide any information that is inaccurate or if the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy has reasonable grounds to suspect the information is inaccurate, the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy has the right to terminate your account.
Payment
Purchasing a seat to online classes gives access to one participant only. Resources distributed as part of the class are for use of the participant only. Purchase Orders are also acceptable. Please contact the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy at cmra@nrec.ri.cmu.edu for information about registering for the course, and payment for the course. Please email if you have questions about the content of the course.
Internet Access / Bandwidth Fees
The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy is not responsible for any internet access or bandwidth fees you incur while taking this class.
International Export Controls
International enrollment is subject to applicable the United States export controls and laws.
Refunds
Refunds are generally not available for Anytime Online Training. Please contact the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy at cmra@nrec.ri.cmu.edu for more information.
Copyrighted Class Material
All course documents are owned by the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy. These materials may not be reprinted in any form except those specified for instructional purposes. The course documents and presentations may be displayed and printed for personal, non-commercial use only. Only students registered for this course may access this material. The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy makes every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date content. However, we have no liability for the accuracy, content, or accessibility of the hyperlinks included with class material.
Use of Student Material
The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy reserves the right to use coursework done by students for the purpose of advancing the educational mission of the Academy. When this occurs, students will be given the option to have their name credited to the material. This includes, but is not limited to, text, graphics, multimedia and other material created as part of the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy online course assignments.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy harmless from any and all losses, actions, controversies, suits, demands, claims, liabilities or any causes of action whatsoever. You expressly agree that the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy is not responsible or liable for any infringement of another’s rights, including intellectual property rights.
Note: Policies are subjected to occasional revisions.