Friday, October 20, 2017

Vinyl Cutting in a Maker Space

When you think about maker spaces one often imagines  tools like 3D printers and laser cutters.  And even though I would eventually want both of these tools in a school maker space, there is a starter tool that I would get in my school maker space immediately - a desktop vinyl cutter!

My first impression of a vinyl cutter was that it was 'just' a sticker machine;  but that was BEFORE I saw it in action!     Here is a quick video of what happened when I brought a desktop vinyl cutter to Tech Savvy Girls Camp! 



The AHA I got from that experience is that this tool INVITED these middle school kids to make in ways that I think MANY maker spaces are looking for. 

The experience with the vinyl cutter left our users wanting to MAKE more! 

  • It was easy to learn - low threshold.
  • It sparked the imagination into thinking of possibilities. 
  • It provided students with an opportunity to practice creative thinking by thinking of constraints and how to work with and around the constraints.
  • It helped students gain confidence working with both manual and digital tool and processes. The students got a chance to build skills  measuring,  working with precision,  planning carefully,  and using design tools. 
  • It provided a quick win -  that had them thinking of new ways to use the tool.
  • It made learning personal!  
  • It naturally lead to the EMPATHY stage of design thinking - How might I make ____ for _____. 
  • It lead to thinking  about  sustainability in that they could repurpose, redesign, recycle many objects using their new skills and available tools and materials. 
  • It provided  a first experience with design tools and the process of designing for computer controlled machines.  
With their new understanding of how design tools can be used to create and send information from the computer to control a piece of equipment they not only provided foundational skills but also confidence to venture to other cutting tools that have require a bit longer on boarding like a laser cutter or CNC router.



Although Vinyl Cutters often have their own software to control the cutter itself,  we encouraged students to design on tools like Google Draw  or Gravit.io -  both of which can export as SVG.

In this short video,  CeCe shares how she designed her water bottle using Google Draw.










While an entry level machine like the Cricut or Silhouette provide an easy entry point for smaller school maker spaces,  increased use  may lead a maker space to look at more serious vinyl cutters like the Roland cutter found in Leah Joly's classroom/maker space. 
     Leah's students weeding vinyl designs for
     classroom stool facelift project

More student projects below:



Looking around at her classroom and the student projects on her blog is evidence that this tool can really make a difference when working with students on putting forth and sharing quality work. 
Educator Ron Berger essay on creating a classroom culture where students are given the tools and time to do BEAUTIFUL WORK  is one of the justification I share for including a vinyl cutter in your classroom/ maker space. 


Student work from Leah Joly's students 

Is there a more profound lesson than taking pride in creating work of importance and beauty for a real audience?  .... Ron Berger (Beautiful Work)


Once a Vinyl Cutter becomes part of an available set of maker tools, it will work its way in other maker projects adding elements of 'beautiful work" to the project. Imagine your students putting their maker skills to use to Rebuild a Kid’s Bike like this project by @Woodshopcowboy





10 comments:

  1. I found this blog after a long time which is really helpful to let understand different approaches. I am going to adopt these new point to my career and thankful for this help.
    Laser engraving Perth

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are able to find four types of laser cutting machines on the market. If you require anything form wood to stainless steel to be cut, this would be the method.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for sharing the knowledge and keep up the good work. Heat Press For Sale ​ It' s my pleasure to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thats really great blog , thanks for sharing to us.
    Get all type digital machine like as AM.CO.ZA V-Series™ High-Pressure High-Speed USB Vinyl Cutters
    Vinyl Cutter

    ReplyDelete
  6. WANLONG MACHINERY is a leading China EPS pre-expander machine supplier, EPS shape moulding machine manufacturer that focuses on China EPS pre-expander machine, EPS shape moulding machine. Factory direct sales, preferential prices, export enterprises for many years, CE certification Auto Block Moulding Machine

    ReplyDelete
  7. Create Make Learn: Vinyl Cutting In A Maker Space >>>>> Download Now

    >>>>> Download Full

    Create Make Learn: Vinyl Cutting In A Maker Space >>>>> Download LINK

    >>>>> Download Now

    Create Make Learn: Vinyl Cutting In A Maker Space >>>>> Download Full

    >>>>> Download LINK

    ReplyDelete
  8. Create Make Learn: Vinyl Cutting In A Maker Space >>>>> Download Now

    >>>>> Download Full

    Create Make Learn: Vinyl Cutting In A Maker Space >>>>> Download LINK

    >>>>> Download Now

    Create Make Learn: Vinyl Cutting In A Maker Space >>>>> Download Full

    >>>>> Download LINK kL

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hey! What a wonderful blog. I loved your blog. QuickBooks is the best accounting software, however, it has lots of bugs
    plumber services in rawalpindi,

    ReplyDelete