Wallace State Community College Launches Digital Fabrication Pathway for Engineering Students

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(Alabama)- Wallace State Community College’s Engineering Technology program has launched a new Digital Fabrication Pathway, a forward-thinking track designed to provide students with essential skills in the rapidly evolving field of digital fabrication.

Digital fabrication is a cutting-edge process that merges 3D modeling and computer-aided design (CAD) with both additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques. Additive manufacturing, better known as 3D printing, builds objects by layering material, while subtractive manufacturing removes material through processes like machining, sanding, and cutting. This pathway integrates different software programs, allowing them to communicate seamlessly, thus merging 2D drawings, vector drawings, and 3D modeling into one cohesive process.

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Todd Hardman, Chair of the Engineering Technology Department, emphasized the significance of this new offering. “Digital fabrication offers a diverse range of opportunities. It can be used for anything such as modeling and making fishing lures to 3D printing houses. Over the last few years, 3D printing has primarily been a method of prototyping, as it hasn't been the most cost-effective method for mass production. However, it is becoming more cost-efficient and feasible for production applications, such as 3D printing concrete tiny homes,” said Hardman. “The core of our program remains strong in designing and prototyping. While 3D printing for production is still developing, it is becoming more prevalent, and the technology is advancing.”

While traditional engineering technology has focused on precision and replication, particularly using AutoCAD for blueprints and technical drawings, the new Digital Fabrication Pathway adds an exciting element of creativity. This pathway allows students to push the boundaries of design while honing their technical expertise.

“Within our program, everything is project-based. Many of our projects exist in a digital world, but we also engage in hands-on 3D printing, modeling, building, and fabricating,” Hardman explained. “We focus heavily on the different types of materials used, as the materials used in digital fabrication are crucial. As materials evolve, prototyping improves. For example, a prototype bicycle chain made of plastic might not last long, but with advanced materials and testing, it could become functional and durable. This is why our program includes courses focused on materials and methods, as well as material specifications.”

Michael Logan, an adjunct instructor in the program, highlighted the growing industry and career opportunities within the digital fabrication field. “The industry is growing, with applications such as 3D printing houses, metal parts, and even prosthetics such as noses and ears,” said Logan. “Additionally, with this industry, you don't have to be physically present where the industry is, as jobs in this field are not confined geographically. I've designed for companies in Australia, as they just need the files to run on their machines."

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The pathway’s curriculum is designed to provide students with a well-rounded education, showcasing the vast possibilities within the field. Logan explained that the program goes beyond traditional replication. “Traditionally, our programs focus on replicating drawings and parts. However, the Digital Fabrication combines AutoCAD with design and art, offering a more creative angle. The Manufacturing Projects course provides students with creative input. It's not just about replicating drawings, as they get to innovate and create new designs, learning how the designs function in the real world.”

Logan also emphasized the importance of understanding materials and finishes, which are covered in two key courses within the pathway. “In the program, we put a big focus on the different types of materials used because when it comes to printing in metal, many people don't realize that the metal is in powder form and bound together with resins,” Logan noted.

The Digital Fabrication Pathway at Wallace State consists of six additional courses beyond the traditional Engineering Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. These courses are:

• Introduction to Materials and Finishes
• 3D Graphics and Animation
• Manufacturing Projects
• Industrial Energy Sources & Sustainability
• Industrial Drawing
• Material Properties

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With just six courses (18 credit hours) beyond the standard Engineering Technology AAS degree, students can earn dual AAS degrees, significantly enhancing their skill set and employability. “For a student in the engineering technology field, it's only six courses, or 18 credit hours, different from our basic Engineering Technology AAS degree. Students who have an interest in digital fabrication while in the Engineering Technology program can return for an additional semester or two to complete the six specific courses required to obtain an additional AAS degree in Digital Fabrication,” Hardman said.

For more information about the Digital Fabrication Pathway and how to apply, visit Wallace State Community College's Engineering Technology program webpage, email Todd Hardman at todd.hardman@wallacestate.edu, or call (256) 352-8146.

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