I was lucky to take this course in 2013, and TA last year.
Neil Gershenfeld is a genius. HTMAA is just the tip of the iceberg with all his works.<p>Every week we had to learn about a different fabrication process, make something and present it in class.<p>If you guys are into fab labs, I encourage you to visit this page: <a href="http://www.fabfoundation.org/fab-labs/" rel="nofollow">http://www.fabfoundation.org/fab-labs/</a><p>Also, one of the best ways to learn, in my opinion, is by learning from other people's mistakes. That is why every student in the class documents their projects. You guys should definitely view some of the class works! [<a href="http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/863.13/people/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/863.13/people/index.html</a>]<p>Every year Neil updates the links. You should visit the most recent year to see what's new and relevant. [<a href="http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/863.14/" rel="nofollow">http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/863.14/</a>]
This is really cool. I also like the "no frills" way it is presented.<p>I got into making stuff kinda by default when I finished formal training and realized my qualifications were just going to put me in a job doing the same thing over and over again. I taught myself SketchUp (or youtube taught me) and began offering my 3D design services to anyone who would give me the time of day.<p>I've had the opportunity to work with architects, engineers, designers, basically people from all different fields who make physical things. I have tried to go into every job as a learning opportunity and have learned so much.<p>I consider my work now as a problem solver for design projects of different kinds and MIT making this kind of information available makes it a lot easier for people like me who use google a bazillion times a day but have to sift through a lot of unreliable info to find the practical method that just allows you to get the job done.<p>Love it
There is also the excellent series of demonstrations and explanations by Dan Gelbart[1] on high-precision techniques, aimed at scientific instrument prototyping.<p>It kinda presupposes a much better equipped workshop than many will have access to (mainly a waterjet and 100T press, although I don't imagine computerised sheet-metal brakes are especially common either)<p>[1] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/dgelbart/videos" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/user/dgelbart/videos</a>
The amazing part is how commonplace these rapid prototyping tools are now compared to even 5 years ago. With TechShop's and HackerSpaces in almost every major metro area, these tools are more accessible than ever!<p>(I taught one of the PCB design lectures for a similar class at Georgia Tech being taught by Thad Starner.)
I'm pleased to see how much instructional content is available for fledgling prototypers. I got into the field after reading Shane Colton's [<a href="http://scolton.blogspot.ca/" rel="nofollow">http://scolton.blogspot.ca/</a>] and Charles Guan's [<a href="http://www.etotheipiplusone.net/" rel="nofollow">http://www.etotheipiplusone.net/</a>], build reports.<p>In a similar vein to the post material, Dan Gelbart's youtube course on rapid prototyping is invaluable: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/dgelbart/videos" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/user/dgelbart/videos</a>
One of the best course of my degree (microengineering) was Production Techniques. Basically each group (2 students) was assigned a manufacturing technology and had to write a report and make a talk about the technology, its cost and its limitations.<p>I think this kind of course is the best way if you want to learn how the stuff around us is really made, or if you want to start a product with kickstarter out something like that.<p>Do anybody know that kind of course available on OCW, edX or something like that ? I would be happy to provide the documents from my course but they are in french so probably useless around here :/
I have bookmarked a page by a student with the same name because I was interested in his skinned kayak build.<p>He made and shared a python script to generate the cross sections for CNC use. Interesting that it was related to this course<p><a href="http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/863.12/people/calisch/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/863.12/people/calisch/index.h...</a>
I wish high-schools would add some of this stuff to after school programs.<p>Learning to make circuit boards would have helped me with all my spaghetti wiring I do/did.
Neil Gershenfeld is responsible for two of the best courses at MIT: "How to Make (almost) Anything" and "The Nature of Mathematical Modeling". Neither are compatible with healthy sleep habits, but both are transformative. I took NMM and, to this day, one my biggest regrets is never taking "How to Make (almost) Anything."
Here's an inspiring interview with Neil Gershenfeld regarding Fab Labs and his vision for future fabrication:<p><a href="https://edge.org/conversation/neil_gershenfeld-digital-reality" rel="nofollow">https://edge.org/conversation/neil_gershenfeld-digital-reali...</a>
There's also a sister class taught in the spring through the Fab Foundation (<a href="http://fabacademy.org/" rel="nofollow">http://fabacademy.org/</a>) -- it's the same material, but open to anyone that has a Fab lab in their area.<p>For example, here's AS220 (a lab in Rhode Island)'s page describing the course: <a href="http://www.as220.org/fabacademy/" rel="nofollow">http://www.as220.org/fabacademy/</a>
This is so, so amazing. I cannot express how much would I want to take this course. Unfortunately, the notes themselve don't have much value for me, as I never experienced anything similar. Video of the actual classes would be something.
Here's a link to last year's class: <a href="http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/863.14/" rel="nofollow">http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/863.14/</a>