v
 [ . . ] ~ robots!
 o-[_]-o
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Jim Bern Winter 2023-24 @ Williams College

Links

• Lab Open Hours
• Lecture Videos

Syllabus

What to Expect

• Your final grade is 100% Homework.
  • Homework will typically have three levels. They are intended to be completed in order. (If the A- level was fun, try the A. If the A was fun, try the A+.)
    • A- (90): Easier project; more guided.
    • A (95): Harder project that builds off the A-.
    • A+ (100): Open-ended mildly-terrifying project.
    • NOTE: An unsuccessful attempt at the A- will score between 0-80 points depending on how far you got.
      • If you fix it after the due date, you can score up to an 80.
  • Style
    • Straight-forward code/engineering that "gets the job done" will score the full points for its level.
    • Code/engineering that "works" but is horrifying will lose 1-20 points.
      • If you fix it, you can have all the points back.

Books

• FUNdaMENTALs of Design

Inclusivity

• Williams College values an inclusive environment, and so do I. In this class, we welcome anyone regardless of age, background, beliefs, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, and other visible and non visible categories. I am available to address any questions or concerns in person or over email.

Health and Accessibility Resources

• Students with disabilities or disabling conditions who experience barriers in this course are encouraged to contact me to discuss options for access and full course participation. The Office of Accessible Education is also available to facilitate the removal of barriers and to ensure access and reasonable accommodations. Students with documented disabilities or disabling conditions of any kind who may need accommodations for this course or who have questions about appropriate resources are encouraged to contact the Office of Accessible Education at [email protected].

Calendar

• Homework is released on Tuesday and is due on the following Tuesday, in-person, at the beginning of lecture.
• Lectures are Tuesday and Thursday in TCL 206 from 9:55 - 11:10 am.
• Lab is Tuesday in Hopper (South Science) 016 (floor 0; not floor 1; not floor 00).
  • Lab Section 03 is from 1 - 2:30 pm.
  • Lab Section 04 is from 2:30 - 4 pm.

Week	Homework	🧙👩‍🔬 tue	👨‍🏫 thu
	MECHANICAL
0	DXF filetype, STL filetype, (Pac-Man screesnshot, pyramid/house screenshot)
1	callipers, dimensioned drawings, LAYOUT, OpenSCAD, Conversation, basic 3D-printing (pyramid/house, plastic puzzle pieces, names, jig, castle)	Feb 6	8
2	screwdriver, pliers, screws, nuts, 3D-printing with supports, basic assembly, basic procedular generation (boxes, Lithophane, pantograph)	13	15
3	Solidworks (sketches--dimensions, relations, assembly--relations) (more boxes)	20	22
4	breadboard, protoboard, through-hole soldering, basic KiCad (LED circuit, LED circuit board)	27	29
5	Arduino, sensors, actuators (robotic desktop pet))	Mar 5	🖼️7
6		12	14
7		🌞	🌞
8		🌞	🌞
9	bearings, tapping, advanced Conversation (lazy susan, fidget spinner part 1)	Apr 2	4
10	reamer, arbor press, FK, IK (fidget spinner part 2, robot arm)	9	11
11		16	18
12		23	25
13	last homework	30	May 2
14		7	👻9

• 👨‍🏫 Lecture
• 🧙 Tutorial (bring laptop)
• 👨‍🔬 Lab (work on homework)
• 👻 final project demo
• 🖼️ class is at WCMA
• 🌞📚 no class