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An excellent application, I have used it many times to create projects that can be laser printed. Students can use it to create designs that can be used as a template or made into a DXF. FILE that can be laser printed to create prototypes.

Adobe Illustrator is a powerful vector graphics editor that is widely used in various industries, including design, illustration, and digital arts. In the Australian Curriculum, it can be utilised within the Technologies discipline, particularly in the Design and Technologies strand. Here's how it can be integrated:

Design Process: Adobe Illustrator facilitates the design process by allowing students to create, manipulate, and refine vector-based graphics. Students can use it to develop digital prototypes, design logos, create diagrams, and illustrate concepts related to product design or user interfaces.

Visual Communication: Effective communication of design ideas is crucial in the Technologies curriculum. Illustrator enables students to express their ideas visually with clarity and precision. They can learn about principles of design, typography, colour theory, and layout as they create digital artifacts.

Digital Technologies: While Adobe Illustrator primarily falls under the Design and Technologies strand, its use also intersects with the Digital Technologies strand. Students can explore concepts such as digital representation, data visualisation, and the use of software tools for creative expression.

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Industry-leading vector graphics software | Adobe Illustrator

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Adobe Illustrator is vector based graphics software that lets you scale down your artwork for mobile screens or scale up to billboard size — and it always looks crisp and beautiful.

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Some

creative ways cardboard can be used in the building process, covering techniques for cutting, shaping and combining the material, along with the many tools that can be used to help in this process.

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I recently wrote about some creative ways cardboard can be used in the building process, covering techniques for cutting, shaping and combining the material, along with the many tools that can be used to help in this process.

But I sometimes find, particularly with smaller children, that cutting cardboard from scratch can be a barrier to design in a couple of ways. First, when given a blank page (or cardboard sheet in this case), not every child is ready to bring their imagination to life. They need inspiration, examples, or prompts. I equate it to story starters, like "Once upon a time..." or "There once was a girl who..." or "It was a dark and stormy night..."

The second reason cutting the cardboard can be a barrier is merely due to hand strength. Even with the newest innovative tools available to them, some students struggle with the actual act of cutting. This can bring about frustration, and while some of that is good for the soul, it can also be a turn off to creativity, especially when the time is limited.

For both of these reasons, I felt the need to create ready-made cardboard "story starters" so that students could quickly design, assemble and test their creations. I cut these wafers on our school laser cutter so that lines are precise. I use them in combination with a large assortment of other materials, in addition to just plain cardboard.

To get what I needed, I hopped into Adobe Illustrator and started with some simple designs. I was inspired by Katie Henry's work at Birdbrain Tech, where I saw her use simple cardboard squares with a line cut from one side to center, so learners could interlock these flat pieces into 3-dimensional blocks on the way to integrating robotics into creatures they built themselves. Since I was in the middle of my own Hummingbird robotics unit, I began with just that.

After creating one kind of square, I thought it might help to enable users to connect to multiple sides of the square, or to the corners for that matter. Then I moved on to circles. I also needed longer, flat pieces, that might serve as a creature's spine, or long legs. Legs? If they have legs, then they are going to need feet. So feet came next. And if you have feet, you need hands! Along the way, I added small holes for LEDs, pipe cleaners, straws, or brads.

As you can imagine, the possibilities for different shapes are limitless. However, like LEGO® bricks, my goal is not to zap the creativity out of my students, but rather foster it by leaving the door open to more thought and imagination, to more that the learner can do on her own. I just needed a kickstart.

I must admit, however, that even as I write this, I am thinking of more shapes to add to the library.

Here are some examples (in PDF format) which you can download to try out. I've made them in two colors, and I cut the black lines first. This method allows me to cut the smaller parts precisely, then finish off with each shape's perimeter.

Cardboard Wafer Designs

Squares and Circles, Small squares and circles, Spines, Feet, and Hands

To see these in action, here's a quick video:

I'd love to hear from you if you decide to use these in your projects. If you've thought of other ways to reuse ready-found material like cardboard, I would love to hear that too.

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Rapid Prototyping with Laser Cut Cardboard Wafers

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I recently wrote about some creative ways cardboard can be used in the building process, covering techniques for cutting, shaping and combining the material, along with the many tools that can be used to help in this process. But I sometimes find, particularly with smaller children, that cutting cardboard from scratch can be a barrier to...

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An excellent comparative and instructional video on what is involved in the student project

Thankyou to: "The Swedish Maker" on YOUTUBE

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Bandsaw VS CNC - Making a Flat Pack Stool

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Great instructional video on how to use Fusion 360 to design a flat pack stool

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How to design flat pack stool in Fusion 360

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An excellent video on introducing CNC routers and FUSION 360

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CNC Router Project Part 1 || Intro and Fusion 360 CAM

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As mentioned in previous sections:

CNC in Industry, CNC plays a vital role in the manufacturing industry and also finds applications in many other industries in Australia. ServiceNow has predicted that almost 10 per cent of Australia's workforce - about 1.3 million people -will have to retrain by 2027 as automation continues to take over. With all of this in mind it is imperative that we start incorporating the relevant technologies into our classrooms.

CNC Machining:

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining involves using computer-controlled machines to fabricate parts from various materials. Its inclusion in the Australian Curriculum's Technologies discipline provides hands-on experiences in digital fabrication and manufacturing:

Practical Skills: CNC machining introduces students to practical skills essential in modern manufacturing industries. They learn how to operate CNC machines, interpret engineering drawings, select appropriate cutting tools, and set machining parameters.

Precision Engineering: CNC machining emphasises precision and accuracy in the production of parts. Students gain insights into tolerance, surface finish, and quality control as they observe the impact of machining parameters on the final product.

Design Optimisation: Understanding the capabilities and limitations of CNC machining influences design decisions. Students learn to design parts that are manufacturable, considering factors such as material properties, tool accessibility, and machining strategies.

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There is only one way to hit the ground running and that is to get the complete package from the source itself. With a CNC expert on site, operational excellence can be assured by leaving the CNC system fully configured without the hassle of freight, courier, unloading and set-up.

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CNC for Schools Unlock the Potential in your Classroom A CNC systems from BG Precision is not just about buying a quality CNC machine, but the overall CNC Solution provided. This also

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This fantastic CAD software application from Autodesk is a gamechanger in IDT classrooms!

Students can create there final design on FUSION 360, and then export it as DXF file to be used on a CNC router

Autodesk Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE platform for product design and manufacturing. Its integration within the Australian Curriculum's Technologies discipline offers students opportunities to engage with advanced design and engineering processes:

Product Design: Fusion 360 allows students to explore the entire product development lifecycle, from conceptual design to engineering and manufacturing. They can create 3D models, simulate mechanical behaviour, and iterate designs based on analysis results.

Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM): Fusion 360's CAM functionality enables students to generate toolpaths for CNC machining. They can learn about subtractive manufacturing processes, CNC programming, and machining techniques while translating their digital designs into physical prototypes.

Interdisciplinary Learning: Fusion 360 promotes interdisciplinary learning by bridging concepts from Design and Technologies with those from STEM disciplines such as mathematics, physics, and materials science. Students can apply mathematical principles to model geometric shapes, analyse structural integrity, and optimise designs for manufacturing.

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Autodesk Fusion Design Extension | Autodesk

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Extend the core 3D design and modelling capabilities of Fusion with access to design tools that automate and simplify the creation of features that are natively aware of the manufacturing process.