
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.
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
1. Eligibility
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Courses are open to individuals 18 years of age or older who are educators, coaches, or professionals.
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International enrollment is subject to applicable U.S. export control laws and may be restricted where prohibited.
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CMRA reserves the right to verify eligibility and decline enrollment or remove participants who provide false information or violate these policies.
2. Registration & Payment
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Each registration is valid for one participant only.
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Course materials, recordings, and login credentials are non-transferable. Other educators from the same school or organization must register separately to gain access.
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Registrants must provide accurate, current information during registration.
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Payment may be made via credit card or institutional purchase order. Contact cmra@nrec.ri.cmu.edu for purchase order arrangements.
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Payments processed through the CMRA online store are subject to a 3% credit card processing fee, deducted from any applicable refund.
3. Refund Policy
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Refund requests must be submitted in writing via email to cmra@nrec.ri.cmu.edu .
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Requests made at least 14 calendar days prior to the class start date will receive a refund, minus the 3% processing fee.
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No refunds will be issued once:
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A class is full, or
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The request is made within 14 calendar days of the class start date.
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4. Course Cancellation or Changes
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CMRA reserves the right to cancel or reschedule courses due to low enrollment, instructor availability, or other unforeseen circumstances.
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If a course is canceled, registrants will be offered:
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A full refund (minus applicable processing fees), or
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The option to transfer to a future session. Participants who choose to transfer to a future session waive their right to request a refund for that registration.
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Instructors, schedules, and course content are subject to change.
5. Health Policy for In-Person Trainings
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Participants should not attend onsite training if they are sick or experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness.
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CMRA will make every effort to provide:
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Substitute online access to training materials, or
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Placement in a future training cohort (if available) at no additional cost, provided advance notice is given where possible.
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6. Technology Requirements (Online Courses)
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Participants are responsible for having:
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A reliable computer and stable internet connection,
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A modern web browser, and
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Any required hardware and software specified in the course description.
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Internet access and bandwidth costs are the responsibility of the participant. CMRA is not liable for disruptions caused by a participant’s technical limitations or network issues.
7. Course Materials & Copyright
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All course materials are the intellectual property of CMRA. Unauthorized sharing, duplication, or redistribution of course materials is prohibited.
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Materials are provided for personal, non-commercial use only by the registered participant.
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Printing or downloading materials is allowed solely for participation in the course or for approved instructional use as outlined by CMRA.
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Recordings and course presentations are hosted for up to one year after course completion. Participants are responsible for downloading any materials they wish to keep long-term.
8. Code of Conduct
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Participants must treat instructors and peers with professionalism and respect.
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Harassment, discriminatory behavior, or academic dishonesty will result in immediate removal from the course without refund.
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Unauthorized access or distribution of course materials is grounds for removal and potential denial of future registration.
9. Accessibility and Accommodations
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CMRA is committed to providing inclusive learning opportunities.
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Requests for accommodations must be submitted in writing to cmra@nrec.ri.cmu.edu at least one month before the course begins.
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Services may be modified or withdrawn if participants fail to engage or participate as required for delivery of accommodations.
10. Privacy and Data Use
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Personal information (such as name, mailing address, or email) provided during registration is used only to administer courses, respond to inquiries, and provide CMRA updates.
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In online chat areas, participants should be aware that their username or email may be visible to others.
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CMRA will not share personal data with third parties except as required by law or legal process.
11. Coursework Use
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CMRA may use coursework produced by students to advance its educational mission or for research purposes.
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When this occurs, participants will be given the option to have their name credited to the material.
12. Certification and Completion
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Certificates are awarded upon successful completion of all course requirements, including:
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Completion of all required assignments to the satisfaction of the instructor, and
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Passing the certification exam, where applicable.
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Certificates are issued digitally and are not equivalent to CMU academic credit, unless explicitly stated.
13. Indemnification
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Participants agree to indemnify and hold CMRA harmless from any claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses arising from their participation in the course, including infringement of third-party rights.
14. Limitation of Liability
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All services and materials are provided “as is.”
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CMRA is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages related to course participation.
15. Policy Revisions
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Policies are subject to change.
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The most current version will always be made available on the CMRA registration site or learning platform.
Contact
For questions or clarification, please email cmra@nrec.ri.cmu.edu.