Intermediate Rapid Prototyping Schedule
Fall 2024, Section A2
Class Homepage
Date Lecture Office Hours Project/Assignment Hand-in
Week 1 Mon 10/21 Course overview and intro to mechanisms.
Scissors script.
Install SolidWorks on your laptop or try out Virtual Andrew.
Laser cutter:
(A) Laser cutter policies.
(B) Laser cutter safety module.
Sign up for fire extinguisher training if you need it.
Wed 10/23 Gears and linkages.
Gears and LittleMan Automaton script
LittleManParts.zip
- Watch this Mechanism video
- Assignment 1: Mechanism
Thu 10/24 Theodora 2:30 - 3:30
Week 2 Mon 10/28 Simulation.
Parts file: Levers.zip
Video: Computational design of mechanical characters.
Emily 3-4
Wed 10/30 Articulated motion.
Resources: Compound.zip, Articulation.zip Videos: Automata videos
Assignment 2: Automaton Mechanism due
Thu 10/31 Theodora 2:30 - 3:30
Week 3 Mon 11/4 Intermittent motion and complex linkages.
Parts files: DrivingShaft.SLDPRT and DrivenShaft.SLDPRT.
MotionStudy files for motion study.
Cozmo's lift.
Emily 3-4
Wed 11/6 Surfaces in SolidWorks.
Image files: frontview_deoroller.jpg, sideview_deoroller.jpg
Thu 11/7 Theodora 2:30 - 3:30
Sun 11/9 Automaton checkpoint files due
Week 4 Mon 11/11 Procedurally-generated objects. Intro to Grasshopper. Emily 3-4 Automaton checkpoint in class
Wed 11/13 Grasshopper part 2: Grasshopper and Rhino.
Thu 11/14 Theodora 2:30 - 3:30
Week 5 Mon 11/18 Grashopper part 3: lists and trees.
Optional video: Grasshopper Trees lecture by Nick Senske
Emily 3-4 Read this data tree tutorial.

Assignment 3: Studded Surface

Automaton final version
Wed 11/20 Weaverbird and Coccoon
Files: StanfordBunny.stl, airplane.stl
Demo: rabbit mesh sculpture.
Final projects
Thu 11/21 Theodora 2:30 - 3:30
Week 6 Mon 11/25 Kangaroo 2 Physics
bouncy.3dm, bouncy.gh, File: kanga-pipe.3dm and instructions for making it.
Emily 3-4 Studded surface due
Wed 11/27 No class: Thanksgiving Break.
Week 7 Mon 12/2 More Kangaroo 2.
Files: organic-shrink.gh, organic-pipes.3dm
Make your own organic shape; brep faces must be quadrilaterals so they produce untrimmed surfaces.
Emily 3-4 Organic shape handin
Wed 12/4 Advanced Grasshopper topics
Books: Khabazi: Generative Algorithms books and porous shell files
Thu 12/5 Theodora 2:30 - 3:30
Week 8 Mon 12/9 No more classes. Work on final projects. Emily 3-4
Wed 12/11 No more classes. Work on final projects.
Fri 12/13 Final projects due.
Taking Care of Yourself
Take care of yourself. Do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle this semester by eating well, exercising, avoiding drugs and alcohol, getting enough sleep and taking some time to relax. This will help you achieve your goals and cope with stress.
All of us benefit from support during times of struggle. You are not alone. There are many helpful resources available on campus and an important part of the college experience is learning how to ask for help. Asking for support sooner rather than later is often helpful.
If you or anyone you know experiences any academic stress, difficult life events, or feelings like anxiety or depression, we strongly encourage you to seek support. Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) is here to help: call 412-268-2922 and visit their website at http://www.cmu.edu/counseling/. Consider reaching out to a friend, faculty or family member you trust for help getting connected to the support that can help.