Build Your Own Factory
Build Your Own Factory allows students to attain intimate, first hand understanding of manufacturing processes through the construction of factory technologies in benchtop scale. More often than not, mass manufacturing technologies rely not on particularly complex or unattainable techniques, but on the optimization of very simple physical forces. The course has focussed on the Precious Plastic project, an open source global project to create machines to recycle and reuse waste plastic. In year one of the course students fabricated and tested the equipment. In year two of the course students used the equipment to develop collection methods and test making methods.
Planning
The class worked as a group to develop drawings and a building plan. Upon finalizing a design the students organized subgroups for mechanical, electrical, machining, welding, and user interface. Each week the students would gather and present the research from their subgroup to the class.
Fabrication
Working from the CAD drawings produced in our planning stage students completed much of the fabrication within Parsons Making Center. Students used the facilities for all of our welding and machining requirements along with our CNC plasma cutter for the steel and aluminum components.
Testing
With shredder and extruder components, the group assembled prototypes for testing. During weekend workshops, with the assistance of our mechanical engineer, we were able to complete the electrical systems and create functioning machines. With the prototypes we were able to test and adjust the machines.
Assembly
Following required adjustments the working test prototype were disassembled in order to complete the final version of the machinery. The new setup included a CNC cut plywood and aluminum extrusion table with fully enclosed electrical along with electrical control nameplates.
Sorting and Shredding
Making and Reuse
Workshops and Community