Unit Outline
ZAE105
Introduction to Fabrication
Semester 2, 2025
Mark Shelton
University College
University College
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Mark Shelton
Email: Mark.Shelton@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This unit introduces key concepts, processes and principles of industry 4.0 driven digital fabrication in a manufacturing environment. You will undertake remote, team-based project work to create fabricated objects that respond to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 
Team members based at our tech-solutions hub will liaise with you to determine your fabrication and assembly requirements and support you in developing your finished product. Equipment at this facility includes 3D printers for additive manufacturing, Co2 laser cutters and a recycled plastic press. You will determine the appropriate fabrication method based on your design requirements and submit plans for the fabrication process. 
To achieve this, you will develop and apply a range of skills and knowledge relating to: 
  • Computer Aided Design 
  • Cloud based communication of digital fabrication information 
  • The Design Thinking process 
  • The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 
  • Quality assurance 
  • Reflective practice 
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. 
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1
Use digital toolsets and digital literacies to develop engineering designs and models
2
Apply digital fabrication tools and techniques to plan and execute fabrication processes
3
Reflect on the effectiveness of the fabrication process in relation to sustainable development goals
4
Describe the effectiveness and efficiency of the online manufacturing process to maintain quality and safety of the design and build process
Alterations as a result of student feedback
To be determined
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
Online
Tutorial (Online)
All students online: fornightly evening online tutorials, weekly self-directed learning modules
1
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 
 
 

How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
AT1: Design Challenge
Week 5
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:
AT2: Fabrication Plan
Week 10
50 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:
AT3: Fabrication Review
Week 13
20 %
LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: AT1: Design Challenge
Task Description:
To introduce you to a range of different digital fabrication skills required for your major assignment (AT2), you will be asked to solve a basic design challenge that addresses a sustainable development goal.
You will use computer aided design software to generate a 3D model of your solution and then use intermediary software to prepare your design for digital fabrication.

Your assignment will be presented as a digital portfolio that contains the following:

- Iterations of your design concept from initial sketches through to 3D CAD generated model

- A description of how your model solves the design problem

- Files relating to digital fabrication settings, with an explanation of your choices

- A reflection on your digital fabrication technical skill level with suggestions for self-improvement required across the semester
Task Length:
Maximum of 800 words plus CAD models
Due Date:
Week 5
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Describe properties and functionality of materials and equipment used during the fabrication process
LO2
2
Describe the connection between your design solution and the sustainable development goal it supports
LO3
3
Apply digital literacy to design and create 3D CAD models
LO1
 
Assessment Task 2: AT2: Fabrication Plan
Task Description:
This assessment task will form part of a major project that covers both AT2 and AT3. At this stage, your task is to create a fabrication plan for a product that addresses one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. You will use the five phases of the Design Thinking process to generate a human-centered design solution.

You will use your CAD skills to create a series of technical documents that will enable your design to be remotely digitally fabricated.

You will create a fabrication portfolio that contains the following:

- Images of the design and fabrication processes

- Description of safety mitigation strategies for the fabrication staff

- Analysis of the quality of your finished product

- Reflect on your experience developing documentation for the digital fabrication process including any personal development required

- An analysis of how your design concept supported one or more of the sustainable development goals

This solution, including CAD and other images will be presented to key stakeholders in either a live or pre-recorded format. This presentation will be a maximum of 10 minutes.
Task Length:
Portfolio and maximum 10 minute Presentation
Due Date:
Week 10
Weight:
50 %
 
 

CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Use digital toolsets and skills to prepare for digital fabrication
LO1
2
Identify and mitigate safety concerns in the work environment
LO2
3
Communicate ideas and information in relation to the quality of a digitally fabricated product
LO4
4
Analyse how the design solution contributes to the sustainable development goals
LO3
 
Assessment Task 3: AT3: Fabrication Review
Task Description:
You will reflect on the effectiveness of your fabrication project and your own experiences and development throughout the unit to complete a fabrication review. A template will be provided which will include key topics that you will need to comment on, justifying your evaluation with facts and evidence. Key topics will include:

- Discuss your technical skill development (with examples of work)

- Discuss your professional skill development

- Discuss the fabrication process you used and reflect on what you learnt about the equipment and the materials chosen

- Explain how you mitigated any safety concerns and comment on the effectiveness of your strategies

- Reflect on the quality of the finish of your product, explaining what you would change in the future

- Reflect on your understanding of the sustainable development goals and how they relate to product design and fabrication
Task Length:
700 word report
Due Date:
Week 13
Weight:
20 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Communicate safety and quality issues with the fabrication process
LO4
2
Describe the effectiveness of the fabrication project and working remotely
LO4
3
Reflect on your ability to meet sustainable development goals
LO3
 
 
 

How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
Academic progress review
The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see
Important Guidelines & Support.
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
 

Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.
 
 
 

Required Resources
Required reading materials
 
 
Recommended reading materials
 
 
Other required resources
A PC capable of running Autodesk Fusion. Please note that there is a free educational licence for all UTAS students.