ShopBot Tools

Digital Fabrication for Educators Workshop

Expand the capabilities and access to digital fabrication tools in your classroom with principles covered in this class. Work independently and with other educators to master CNC basics and convert designs for other digital fabrication tools enhancing the classroom learning

Workshop Description

Our 2.5-day Digital Fabrication for Educators Training is held at our Durham, NC headquarters. Classes are usually scheduled 2-3 times throughout the year and are limited in size. This group training takes students from an introduction to ShopBot tools and software and then moves on to hands-on design and machining with ShopBot CNC and other digital fabrication tools.

Classes begin at 9:00AM and end at 5:00PM on both Thursday and Friday, the Saturday class ends at 1:00PM; Thursday evening open hours to work independently (optional). Lunch will be provided each day, as well as a light breakfast and coffee each morning starting at 8:30AM. If you have any dietary restrictions, please note them in the online form you receive a link to in your confirmation email. That way we can accommodate you as appropriately as possible.

Prior to coming to your training, we ask that you download a demo version of the software emphasized in the session that you will be attending. Links to downloads for the software are in each description.

Cost: $400

Bring a friend or colleague to share your computer station with for no additional charge. Limited availability for sharing a reservation. Ask for details.

Difficulty

Please read the description of each session before you sign up for one of them. All sessions will allow time for attendees to work on projects of their own design and/or interest.

CEU Credits: 2

Emphasis: VCarve Pro CAD/CAM software
Dates TBD
All skill levels are welcome, but this is the session suggested for those newer to Digital Fabrication. A trial version of VCarve Pro may be downloaded from the Vectric website.

Emphasis: Fusion 360 CAD/CAM for ShopBot CNC, laser cutting and 3D printing
Dates TBD
Please create a Fusion 360 account before attending the class. Email Sallye if you would like suggestions for some tutorials to view prior to the workshop. This session will be much easier to navigate if you have a basic understanding of how to design in CAD/CAM, and have some experience using a subtractive digital fabrication tool such as a CNC machine or a laser cutter.

Contact us if you’d like to schedule this training at your school or makerspace. We travel!

Upcoming Classes

Check out our Virtual ShopBot Workshop for ongoing virtual trainings. In person trainings at ShopBot Tools in Durham, NC are temporarily suspended due to COVID-19.


Visiting ShopBot and Durham, NC

Sign-up:

Call 888-680-4466 or 919-680-4800

Workshop Topics:

  • Using CAD/CAM software to design and prepare files for machining via a ShopBot tool
    • CAD/CAM software emphasized varies by Session
    • VCarve Pro, Fusion 360, Aspire
  • Cross-platform training — including demos on how designs originally intended for one digital fabrication tool can be prepared for use on another platform (i.e. CNC to laser or vinyl cutter, 3D printing to 3D carrving on a CNC machine.)
  • Design flow
  • 2D vs. 3D
  • Computer aided design (CAD) and machining (CAM) software
  • How to evaluate which digital fabrication process is best for the desired outcome
  • Advanced learning about ShopBot tools
  • Fusion 360 CAD/CAM software (if time allows)
  • Using a Rotary Indexer on a ShopBot tool (if time allows)

There are opportunities for show and tell, and at least one round table discussion, so attendees should come prepared with questions and/or examples of how to use digital fabrication in education. Working in collaboration with fellow attendees, you should leave the workshop with hands-on projects and ideas to address topics related to STEM, CTE, the Arts, Common Core, and/or Next Generation Science Standards.

ShopBot Tools, Inc.

Toll Free: 1-888-680-4466

Phone: 919-680-4800
Fax: 919-680-4900

ShopBot Tools, Inc.
3333-B Industrial Drive
Durham, NC 27704
USA

Office Hours
Monday–Friday: 9am–5pm EST

After Hours Tech Support
Monday–Friday: 5pm–9pm EST
Saturday–Sunday: 10am–5pm EST

Office Closure
ShopBot Tools, Inc. is closed New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Outside of normal office hours, we regularly check for support requests, email and phone messages. To make sure we can get back to you as soon as possible, leave a phone number or return email address where you will be available.