This course has been approved for Fall 2014 -- the page, course, and design of the printers we will build are all under construction
MY4777/MY5777/EE4777/EE5777 Open-source 3-D printing
(Fall 2014)
Instructor: User:J.M.Pearce
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to distributed additive manufacturing using open-source 3-D printing. First this course will provide an overview of open-source hardware and technological development in theory and practice. Both the use of software and user communities will be highlighted and demonstrated. Next, the course will detail the design, use and maintenance of the open-source electronics behind the development of self-replicating rapid prototypers. Then the technological evolution of the open-source 3-D printing technology will be covered with a focus on developing innovation for improved performance and materials selection. Each student will build a customized RepRap and the course will cover hardware, firmware, slicing and printer controller software for operating and maintaining the device. Finally the material properties, applications and ramifications of RepRap technology will be discussed.
The course is meant for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in Materials Science & Engineering, and Electrical & Computer Engineering, while students in other areas of engineering or science with a strong interest in this topic are also welcomed. Graduate students are expected to complete all coursework assigned to the undergraduates and an in depth project.
Credits: 3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-[0-3]), (3 lecture hours and 0-3 lab hours)
Required Course Material
There is a $500 course fee for this course. This fee will be used to purchase a MOST Delta RepRap kit, tools and filament for you to use during the course. At the end of the course you keep the printer you built and modified. The design will be somewhat like the image above - but note that it is a rapidly evolving technology so by Fall the design will have improved.
Textbook: J.M. Pearce, The Open-Source Lab (Elsevier,2014). Other reading will be handouts in class, on-line reading, and emailed pdfs. See hyperlinks in schedule.
Course Organization
This course will be run as an intense seminar meeting as a group. Students will be expected to read the course material before class and actively participate in discussions. The majority of class time will be spent on projects in a flipped class format. Each student will be responsible for building a RepRap 3-D printer to use to complete the projects. Students will be responsible for giving short presentations on their projects on each sub-topic in front of the class at the end of the semester.
Grading
Letter Grade | Percentage | Grade points/credit | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
A | 93% & above | 4.00 | Excellent |
AB | 88%– 92% | 3.50 | Very good |
B | 82% – 86% | 3.00 | Good |
BC | 76%– 81% | 2.50 | Above average |
C | 70% – 75% | 2.00 | Average |
CD | 65%– 69% | 1.50 | Below average |
D | 60%- 64% | 1.00 | Inferior |
F | 59% and below | 0.00 | Failure |
I | Incomplete; given only when a student is unable to complete a segment of the course because of circumstances beyond the student’s control. A grade of incomplete may be given only when approved in writing by the department chair or school dean. | ||
X | Conditional,with no grade points per credit; given only when the student is at fault in failing to complete a minor segment of a course, but in the judgment of the instructor does not need to repeat the course. It must be made up within the next semester in residence or the grade becomes a failure (F). A (X) grade is computed into the grade point average as a (F) grade. |
Grading Policy
Grades will be based on the following:
RepRap build | 200 |
Rock Wall Project | 100 |
Celtic Project | 100 |
Science Equipment Project | 150 |
OSAT Project | 150 |
Big Money Project | 300 |
Total Points | 1000 |
- Grad students must also complete an improvement to the RepRap.
Late Assignments
Deduct 10% per day, up to 5 working days, then 0 grade. Only exception is for documented illness. Missed projects are penalized by the negative square of the percent total.
Course Policies
Appropriate behavior, attendance, participation and collaboration with your peers on group assignments is expected. Collaboration/Plagiarism Rules Collaboration is encouraged on the group project but the individual project and exams must be completed alone. Calculators are allowed for exams but electronic communication devices are prohibited.
University Policies
Academic regulations and procedures are governed by University policy. Academic dishonesty cases will be handled in accordance the University's policies. If you have a disability that could affect your performance in this class or that requires an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please see me as soon as possible so that we can make appropriate arrangements. The Affirmative Action Office has asked that you be made aware of the following: Michigan Technological University complies with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for equal access to education or services at Michigan Tech, please call the Dean of Students Office at 487-2212. For other concerns about discrimination, you may contact your advisor, Chair/Dean of your academic unit, or the Affirmative Programs Office at 487-3310.
Course Schedule
Please Note: Readings will be updated periodically before we get to the module.
Reading
Module 0: Introduction
- Watch RepRap video
- OSL Chap. 2 OSH Introduction, Cathedral and Bazaar, Microsoft OSH
- OSL Chap. 3 OS License
- OSL Chap. 4 OS microcontrollers Arduino Tutorials
Module 1: RepRap
- RepRap build OSL Chap. 5, or Delta Build Overview:MOST
- Slicers RepRap Magazine 1
- Printer controllers
Module 2: Community
- Free and open repositories of designs
- RepRap IRC, RepRap Forums, RepRap Groups
- Arduino Forum, Arduino google group
- Appropedia
Module 3: Open source CAD
Module 4: OS Science
- OSL Chap. 5
- OSL Chap. 6 examples
Module 5: OSAT
Module 6: Big Money