Back to Rapid Prototyping Center Home
Welcome Faculty!
What is the value added of creating a course-based project that utilizes RPC resources?
- Digital fabrication plays a critical role in contemporary design practice.
- Digital fabrication allows for greater flexibility and customization in the design process which assists in the development of efficient and innovative design solutions.
- The RPC is a learning environment that supports students in the development of the requisite digital fabrication and digital project management skills necessary for success in industry.
What is an RPC course-based project?
An RPC project begins as a simple online form in which you define a learning outcome(s) that integrates the RPC's digital fabrication technologies into your course and/or curriculum.
The RPC staff is available to:
- Provide support for faculty in the design of their projects in order to meet their student learning outcome(s).
- Supply training materials that can be shared with students that will enable them to choose the appropriate software work flow and fabrication technology to execute their project.
- Schedule project production to allow for students to meet their course deadlines.
- Provide web-accessible updates to faculty so that they may track the progress of their students anytime, anywhere.

How can I design a successful RPC course-based project for my students?
Step 1: Identify Learning Outcomes
Identify the learning outcome(s) for your course that could be met by creating an RPC course-based project.
Step 2: Determine Requisite Knowledge
Determine whether your students have the following requisite knowledge to use digital fabrication technologies:
- CAD skills such as 2D drafting, 3D surface modeling and 3D solid modeling.
- Manual skills with tools such as the table saw, band saws, drill press, etc. Currently students are certified on these machines with an identification badge that indicates in which machines they've demonstrated proficiency.
- The CAD skills in item one should be provided within the foundation curriculum of your respective program. If you find that students are lacking in these skills then contact the faculty in charge of foundations coursework to ensure that these skills are being taught.
- The manual skills in item two are currently provided by organizing an orientation session in the DAAP Woodshop. Contact Jim Burns by email or at 513.556.1207 to organize an orientation session for your students.
Step 3: Schedule Project
- All project scheduling is to happen within the first three weeks of the quarter to avoid project conflicts in the RPC and to ensure that the RPC has enough time and resources at hand to facilitate the project.
- The RPC has limited capacity so project scheduling is subject to other project schedules. It's recommended to schedule projects as early in the term as possible to avoid the busy time at the end of the term.
- Set the deadline for your students' submissions to the RPC to be at least one week in advance of your course deadline or critique date to ensure that the work will be completed in time, especially if extensive finishing work is required.
- To assist with scheduling please refer to the following weblink:
Step 4: Write the Assignment
- Identify a physical deliverable (or digital fabrication output) that can be realistically completed within the time frame you've established.
- Determine the parameters and/or constraints of the project in terms of technology use, material use, quantity of submissions allowed per student, etc.
Step 5: Handout
You may find it helpful to create a physical handout for your students which includes the following:
- The learning outcome(s) of this project.
- The RPC submission deadline for this project.
- The course deadline (critique date) for this project.
- The required physical deliverable(s) (digital fabrication output) for this project.
- A complete list of the parameters and/or constraints of the project.
How do I request an RPC course-based project (and how can the RPC staff assist me)?
- Log in to DAAPspace.
- Click Manage Projects or navigate to Facilities > Rapid Prototyping Center > Job Submission System > Manage Projects.
- Click on Add New Project.
- Fill out the submission form.
- When you have completed the submission form click the Add Project button at the bottom of the submission form page.
- Determine the parameters and/or constraints of the project (material usage, cost, quantity of submissions, technology use, etc.) to allow for the RPC to provide directed support and training to the students submitting to the project.
- The project that you have created is not active until it has been approved by the RPC - the RPC may need additional dialog with you regarding the scheduling and definition of the course-based project prior to its approval.
- You and your students will received a confirmation email message that notifies you of your project's approval, reiterates the submission time frame and provides links to helpful training resources.
For further information please don't hesitate to
contact us.
Comments