In recent years, digital fabrication has become an increasingly important skill in various industries including manufacturing, architecture, and design. To provide basic knowledge of digital fabrication to school students, the Jigme Namgyal Engineering College in Samdrup Jongkhar provided 5 days of training to 15 high school students. The training ended yesterday. Digital fabrication is the process of using digital tools and technologies, to create physical objects or products.
Students were taught how to use design programmes such as Autodesk Fusion 360 and CorelDraw software to create digital models of their designs.
Students also learned to operate digital fabrication machines like 3D printers and laser cutters.
These machines use digital files to create physical objects, allowing students to transform their designs into physical forms.
“We are just introducing digital fabrication to them since some students have not seen 3D printers at all. So if we provide basic training to them right now they can be able to learn more in the technical field in the future. Moreover, they are on vacation and learning the basics of 3D printers and digital fabrication will not waste their time,” said Dorji Gyeltshen, Fab lab in charge at Jigme Namgyal Engineering College.
Students said the training has enhanced their creativity and problem-solving abilities as they can explore new design concepts and experiment with different materials and techniques practically.
In five days of training, the students made several souvenir products like key hangers, name tags, and educational kits.
“Since we are taught practically, we will not forget it. This type of training will benefit us if we don’t get the job we can do this type of work and earn,” said Yeshi Lhendup Dorji, a student of Garpawoong Middle Secondary School.
I had only heard about the Fab Lab, but I had not seen it. After coming here I knew more about the machines and their components. Now I have basic training in it and if in the future I get into this type of field it will be easier for me and we can do private business depending on the demands if we don’t get a job,” said Tsheten Dorji, a student of Tsenkharla Higher Secondary School.
“In digital fabrication, we learned about coding and making things by using 3D printers and laser-cutting machines. By doing practicals, we learn more skills and we do not forget them, with books we forget them,” said Lhazin Choiney Wangmo, another student of Garpawoong Middle Secondary School.
“The training will benefit us, now Fab Lab is trending and in the future, if we have to use it, today’s experience will benefit us. It could also help us get a job in the future,” said Tshering Choki Yangzom, a student of Nangkhor Central School.
The Jigme Namgyal Engineering College is hopeful this type of training will also encourage students to take up the science stream. The college has plans to organise advanced digital fabrication training for the same group during the winter vacation.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
