About Me

Sara AlMutawaa

An engineer graduated from University of Bahrain in Feb, 2020 holding B.sc. in Mechanical Engineering. I did my senior project with a colleague, which was “Simulation and design of a magnetic pump” using Comsol Multiphysics Software, and supervised by Dr. Omar AlAbassi. This project won the 1st place in the “senior project exhibition of collage of engineering”.

Student Agreement

As a Fab Academy student at Fab Lab Bahrain, I am responsible for...

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About the Program

This program consist of three sections to be completed in nine weeks, as explained below:

Pre-Fab

This section is to:

  • Introduce students to git.
  • build and upload personnel site.

    • and it consist of two main topics which are:

    1. Principles and Practices
    2. Project Management








    Module 1

    This section focuses on digital fabrication principles an mastering additives/subtructive fabrication design. and it consist of:

    1. Computer-aided design
    2. 3D scanning and printing
    3. Computer controlled machining
    4. Computer controlled cutting

    Module 2

    This section focuses on electronic principles and programming. and it consist of:

    1. Embedded programming
    2. Input devices/ output devices
    3. project develpoment
    By the end of this module the final functional project should be completed and documented on this website.

    Before we Start

    In May,18 2021 I had the first meeting with the Fablab academy instructors Salman AlAraibie and Duaa AlAali. The meeting was an introduction to the program, instructors and get to know other cadidates.

    1. Preliminary course calendar:

    Week Week start date Topic
    1 May, 24 2021 Project Management
    2 May, 29 2021 Computer-Aided Design
    3 June, 5 2021 Computer Controlled Cutting
    4 June, 12 2021 3D Printing and Scanning
    5 June, 19 2021 Computer Controlled Machining
    6 June, 26 2021 Embedded Programming
    7 July, 3 2021 Input & Output Devices
    8 July, 10 2021 Moulding and Casting
    9 July, 24 2021 Project Development

    1. Lectures and Reviews

    The program lectures were given by Neil Gershenfeld, Amarican professor at MIT.












    Week 1: Principles and Practices

    This lecture talks about the history that makes what we are living now considering fabrication possiple. I wrote a simple note of what I learned in the lecture as the following.
  • In 1952, MIT made the first computer control manufaturing machine, the first computer that can be used for real time interaction, where it was connected to a milling machine. The circumstances that led to this invention, is an emerging jet aircraft where it was hard for the machinest to turn the cranks. So the idea came to connect a computer to the machine to turn the cranks and automate.
  • Whirlwind computer is developed for air defence.

  • One of the people behind this computer was Vannevar Bush, an engineer who created the post war idea of National Scientific Foundation.
  • Claude Shannon, one of Vannevar Bush students, an engineer who played a great role in developing digital age.
  • John Von Neumann applied Shannon’s work on computers.
  • Both of Shannon and Von Neumann where big insights in making what we are making today possiple.”

    • Week 1: Project Management

    This class is important to orient the students by:
  • Introducing students to version control.
  • Getting started by building a personal website that documents the work.
    • The students are free to edit the original website provided for the students in Mkdocs and use it for documentation, or use other templates in html. Here is a description of what I did with my website.

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    Week 2: Computer-Aided Design

    This week is to lear about Computer Aided Design, and to model a possible final project. And the learning outcomes from this topic are:
  • Evaluating and selecting a 2D and 3D software.
  • Demonstrate and describe processes used in modelling with 2D and 3D software.

    • Student are free to choose any drawing software that will lead to the final project, and the software they are more comfortable with. I have experince in AutoCad and Inventor drawing softwares, as I studied and use them during studing in university. I used these softwares mostly for drawing mechanical parts and assamble them.
    Our instrutors shared there experince and introduce us to different drawing softwares.

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    Week 3: Embedded Programming

    For this week I recieved a kit from FabLab that contains different items to do the required assignment.
    Embedded Programming is a totally new topic for me, so I faced some difficulties to understand, where I had to read, watch and listen to many information to get to know what is embedded programming.

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    Week 4: Input & Output Devices

    In this week, we will use the same Arduino Nano but with different Input and Output devices. These devices are provided to us in the kit such as, Servo Motor, Piezo Buzzer, and Sensor.
    I used the same program Arduino IDE to program the Arduino Nano and make these devices do a certain function such as rotating the motor.

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    Week 5: Computer-Controlled Cutting

    In this week we will be having a group assignment to learn how to use the Laser Cutter and test it. The learning outcomes in this week are:
    1. Demonstrate and describe parametric 2D modelling process.
    2. Identify and explain processes involved in using the laser cutter.
    3. Develop, evaluate and construct the parametric construction kit
    4. Identify and explain processes involved in using the vinyl cutter.


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    Week 6: Computer Controlled Machining

    This week is talking about Computer Controlled Machining, where there will be a group and individual assignments.

  • Group Assignment: test runout, alignment, speeds, feeds, and toolpaths for the machine.
  • Individual Assignment: Make(design+mill+assemble) something big.

    • The Learning outcomes for this week are:

  • Demonstrate 2D design development for CNC production.
  • Describe worflows for CNC production.


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    Week 7: Moulding and Casting

    This week is about Moulding and Casting, there will be an individual assignment that we should do which is:

  • Designing a 3D mould, mill it (rough cut + finish cut) , and use it to cast parts.


    • The learning outcomes from this week are:

  • Design appropriate objects within the limitation of 3 axis machining.
  • Demonstrate workflows used in mould design, construction and casting.


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    Week 8: 3D Scanning and Printing

    This week is to learn about 3D printing and scanning and how to use each. The learning outcomes from this week are:

    1. Identify the advantages and limitations of 3D printing.
    2. Apply design methods and production processes to show your understanding of 3D printing.


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    Week 9: Project Development

  • This is the final week in Fablab Academy, where I will do my final project based on the skills and knowledge I gained during the past 8 weeks.

  • The project requirements are:

    1. Create your own integrated design.
    2. Demonstrate 2D & 3D modelling capabilities applied to your own designs.
    3. Select and apply appropriate additive and subtractive techniques.
    4. Demonstrate competence in design and programming including an input & output device.


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