This unit introduces key concepts, processes and principles of industry 4.0 driven digital fabrication in a manufacturing environment. You will undertake small-scale, team-based project work to create fabricated objects that relate to a local industry, organisation or community need or opportunity. To achieve this, you will plan your fabrication project identifying safety, quality, velocity and cost issues that you might encounter. You will then complete the fabrication component of the project, which involves incorporating the use of common materials and digital fabrication equipment, including initial CAD modelling. Other practical learning activities include component fabrication, additive manufacturing, laser-cutting, and forming and shaping by using various materials and approaches. You will prepare required toolsets and machinery, manage the fabrication process end-to-end, analyse outputs and finished products, and evaluate their conformance to requirements for safety, quality, velocity and cost.

This unit also introduces learning through practice by exposing you to authentic learning experiences. These experiences are placed at the centre of learning and assessment, so you have the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to respond to industry, community and/or global needs.

You will be introduced to:

• a range of methods, tools, techniques and approaches to practice
• principles and perspectives such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership in real world scenarios
• reflection and deliberative thinking as a means of developing knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations
• ways of understanding problems and developing solutions through active inquiry.