The Mobile Maker Lab offers both standard and custom programming based on the needs of your school or organization. Standard programming can be modified to reach various age and experience levels, while custom programming is appropriate when your class or organization has something specific in mind. 

Description:

​The RI MML provides access to the Lulzbot Mini 3D printer, a high performance, easy-to-use FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printer, which acts much like a hot glue gun, laying up material incrementally as defined by the slicing software. Leveraging this additive technology, students are poised to produce objects originally developed in 3D modeling software, such as Thingiverse.com or Tinkercad.com.

Outcomes:

• Exposure to design process

• Exposure to design/fabrication problem solving

• Understanding the general functions & interface of an FDM 3D printer

• Understanding of the general functions/interface of CAD software and 3D model slicing software

• Knowledge of industry applications and/or jobs

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Download Thingiverse Lesson Plan

Download Tinkercad Lesson Plan

​Description:

Leveraging the Carvey, a desktop CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) router, along with Inventable’s cloud-based CAD/CAM software, Easel, students design & mill personalized plaques.

​Outcomes:

• Exposure to design process

• Exposure to design/fabrication problem solving

• Understanding the general functions & interface of a CNC router (Carvey)

• Understanding of the general functions & interface of CAD/CAM software (Easel)

• Knowledge of industry applications and/or jobs

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Download Lesson Plan

Description:

​The RI MML provides access to the Brother PE540 embroidery machine. With the 2D, additive technology students are encouraged to develop custom content or convert images to CAM files utilizing Sew Art, a third party software used to develop the appropriate stitch files (PES).  

​Outcomes:

• Exposure to design process

• Exposure to design/fabrication problem solving

• Understanding the general functions & interface of embroidery machines

• Understanding of the general functions & interface of SewArt software

• Knowledge of industry applications and/or jobs

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Download Lesson Plan

Description:

​The RI MML provides access to the Silhouette Portrait Cutting Tool, an electronic, computer controlled cutting tool that functions a lot like a home printer to cut paper, cardstock, vinyl, fabric and other materials.

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Outcomes:

• Exposure to design process

• Exposure to design/fabrication problem solving

• Understanding the general functions & interface of an Electronic Cutting Machine (Knife Cutter)

• Understanding of the general functions & interface of Silhouette Studio software

• Knowledge of industry applications and/or jobs​

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Download Lesson Plan

Description:

Utilizing the Glowforge laser cutter, a crowd-funded, desktop tool, participants use heat to remove material from sheet stock (wood, leather, fabric, etc) with precision & speed.

Outcomes:

• Exposure to design process + workflow

• Understanding the general functions & interface of a laser cutter (Glowforge)

• Knowledge of industry applications and/or jobs

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Download Individual Lesson Plan

Download Group Lesson Plan

​Description:

Targeting seventy minutes of hands-on, experiential learning, students will produce a flower from parts made with a variety of digital fabrication technologies, as well as an array of materials. Leveraging 3D printers, laser & knife cutters, students will fabricate and assemble flowers comprised of component parts:

1. Roots/stems/branches (Laser Cutter)

2. Leaves (Knife Cutter)

3. Flowers (3D Printer)

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Outcomes:

• Knowledge of design process

• Knowledge of manufacturing process

• Exposure to digital fabrication/ CNC technology

• Experience assembling parts/ systems

• Exposure to problem solving

• Success translating ideas into physical form​​

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Download Lesson Plan

Description:

Targeting three hours of experiential learning, students will produce single, custom coaster plaques utilizing a laser cutting machine or desktop CNC.

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Outcomes:

• Ability to translate design ideas to physical form

• Ability to utilize CNC router, laser cutter and composite technology

• Understanding of the vacuum bagging process

• Understanding of the need to identify & solve problems for product development & fabrication

• Understanding of complex manufacturing processes & work flow

• Understanding of composites technology (benefits, drawbacks, workflow, applications, etc.)

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Download Lesson Plan

Description:

Targeting three hours of experiential learning, students will produce a single, handheld product cast from a teacher specified material by leveraging advanced technologies to translate personal brands or symbols into a plug mold for use in the vacuum forming process. Each part will be packaged in a laser cut, plywood box & branded with vinyl decals created on the knife cutter.

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Outcomes:

• Ability to translate design ideas to physical form

• Ability to utilize CNC router, 3D printer, laser cutter and/or knife cutter

• Understanding of vacuum forming process

• Understanding of the need to identify & solve problems for product development & fabrication

• Understanding of complex manufacturing processes & work flow

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Download Lesson Plan

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Interested in a Field Trip?

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Contact Us! 

We coordinate site visits with RI based companies that utilize advanced manufacturing practices.