CNC FOR DESIGNERS Digital Prototyping Henry Cleaver TERM 1 - Weds, PM SESSION – 1300-1600 (BST) TERM 2 - Weds, AM SESSION – 0900 -1200 (BST)

CNC technology – using digital interaction to aid physical manufacture – is an important a tool in the design process as it is as a means of production. For architects and designers it offers great opportunities to experiment, develop ideas and maintain control all the way through to the finished piece. This course will focus on the significance of prototyping as part of the design process. Students will learn how to set up and operate a 3-axis CNC machine whilst undertaking small design exercises and a final design & construction brief. Research and experimentation will concentrate on materials, machining tolerances and designing within any limitations thrown up along the way, whilst analysis of CNC fabricated products will add context. Students will engage in group discussions and design sessions online and machine operation can be done live, virtually, if not in person in the DPL. Core learning will include: students gaining a good working knowledge of CNC technology, as well as producing a physical CNC fabricated object that they have successfully designed, tested and manufactured. Technical requirements: Basic understanding of Rhinoceros 5 or 6, with the software installed (or remote access to the AA computer lab).

WEEKLY SESSIONS Session 1: Wednesday 7th October/13th January Introduction to CNC - Introductory presentation - Group discussion and analysis on prototyping methods Session 2: Wednesday 14th October/20th January Computer Aided Manufacture - RhinoCAM software and CNC machine intro - 2D design exercise for basic milling operation Session 3: Wednesday 21st October/27th January CNC in design - Presentation on CNC as a tool within the design process + discussion - Intro to 3D and double-sided milling with links to pre-recorded video content - Simple joinery design exercise Session 4: Wednesday 28th October/3rd February Final design brief - Analysis and discussion of previous week’s design exercise - Intro to final design brief - Ideas generation, design session and group discussion OPEN WEEK Session 5: Wednesday 11th November/17th February Design session - Pre-recorded video content on material properties, tooling and machining tolerances - Design session and group discussion - CNC milling of test pieces and analysis Session 6: Wednesday 18 th November/24 th February Design session and final product development - Group problem solving and design development - Final design manufacture - One-to-one tutorials Session 7: Wednesday 25 th November/3rd March Project analysis and discussion - Group analysis of projects - One-to-one tutorials - Extra project submission agreed with each student (if necessary) Session 8: Wednesday 2nd December/10th March - // AA MEDIA JURY DAY Final presentation Submission requirements:

- Final design CNC fabricated product - Final design concept images with accompanying construction photos and annotation - 300 word self-analysis of project

Henry Cleaver is the Digital Prototyping Technician at the AA where he provides expertise and advice to students using the DPL. He is an accomplished furniture and lighting designer, model maker and graphic designer and holds a degree in Model Making for Design from the Arts University Bournemouth. Since 2013 he has been key to the development of the AA’s Digital Prototyping Lab.