Module 13 of 19
Module 13: Mechanical design and machine design
What the official assignment asks for.
Unofficial
Paraphrased from the Fab Academy 2026 class pages, retrieved 24 Oct 2026. The official page is the authority and may have changed: read it on fabacademy.org.
What the official assignment asks for
Two class pages share this lecture date: mechanical design (build the machine's mechanical parts) and machine design (actuate and automate it). Both are group assignments.
Group assignment
- Design a machine that includes mechanism, actuation, automation, function and user interface.
- Build the mechanical parts and operate it manually.
- Actuate and automate your machine.
- Document the group project and your individual contribution.
- Prepare a demonstration of your machines for the next class.
Bare-minimum vs exceptional
TBC
A worked bare-minimum and exceptional rubric for this module has not been written yet. Until then, treat the official assignment above as your minimum, and ask your instructor what they expect.
A general check before you call it done
General checklist from the author, not specific to this module and not official.
- Each official bullet above has evidence in your documentation: files, photos, a short video or output.
- Group work and your own individual contribution are clearly separated and described.
- Source files are linked, not only screenshots, so someone else could reproduce your work.
- You say what failed and what you changed, not only what worked.
- You say how this connects to your final project, even if only a little.