Fablab Belfast

Fablab Belfast will host a one day Solidworks workshop, in
parametric modelling for machining. In this course you will
be guided through the process of how you can create a model
in the virtual environment and process it for manufacturing
across a variety of CNC machinery. This can include 3, 4 and 5
axis milling, waterjet cutting, plasma cutting, 3D printing and CNC
lathe turning.

Date: Thursday 10th November 2016
Location: Fablab Belfast, 5 Churchill Street, Belfast BT15 2BP
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: £75

To book your place contact Patrick
Tel: 028 90 755 412
Email: patrick.ohare@ashtoncentre.com

Face Shield

Hi folks and welcome back to another fast paced, highly exciting and adrenaline-fuelled year in Technology & Design.

As we all know Health & Safety is always forefront in our minds when we enter the Technology & Design environment and keeping our students and staff as safe as possible is most important, with this in mind we have had a number of requests for details of the googles with detachable face shield.

This item can be purchased from Rapid Electronics
and the order code at the time of this post is 89-9646

Click on the link below to view further details
Rapid Electronics Face Shield link

May the force be with you!

CAD alternative for schools

I know we are all in the same boat when it comes to running large software programs on our school computers and school networks, it can turn into quite the headache and heartache for everyone involved, sooooooooo i was recently introduced to OnShape, it is the first and only full-cloud based CAD system which runs through your web browser, phone or tablet, which means no lengthy downloads and more importantly its FREE and available to use by students, teachers and anyone that has an interest in CAD.

The good news is that the skills you have picked up using your schools CAD system are transferable to OnShape, i was quite surprised at how familiar it all felt, you can also import your existing Solidworks and Inventor drawings and models into Onshape and it will export in many different formats including STL, please take a look at OnShape as a possible alternative to your schools CAD system.

OnShape are running some short online webinars that you might find interesting, click on the following link if you are interested in registering for any of the upcoming events https://www.onshape.com/onshape-sketch-aug-11 

Happy CADing!

AMMA Summer Workshops

Hi folks, i hope you are all enjoying the fantastic summer weather we have all been accustomed to over recent years #monsoonseason

The AMMA Centre in Armagh are running a series of summer workshops in August aimed at anyone aged 15+ Adults included, if you wish to apply online for a place please click on this Link

Further information can be found at www.createinnovatearmagh.org.uk/

iD Cards - Loughborough Design School - Free App

By Loughborough University

The iD Cards app identifies 32 key types of design representation used by industrial designers; when they are used; and for what types of information. They facilitate more effective New Product Development (NPD) through enhanced design methods, communication, team working and inter-disciplinary collaboration.

iD Cards are an outcome from research at Loughborough Design School from 2005 to 2011 that responded to problems in the use of language and understanding for design representations (sketches, drawings, models, prototypes) during NPD. iD Cards have been supported, distributed and adopted by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) for use by its global members (students/educators/practitioners).  Try it for free on both Apple and Android.

Project Picture Gallery

A wide range of pictures showing examples of student and customer projects that have been created using Kitronik kits and products.  Click here for the gallery.

Technology Subs wanted

I have recently had a couple of calls from schools looking for qualified Technology and Design substitute teachers. If you know of anyone out there who is fully qualified and not in work could you drop us a line at Clounagh.  Many thanks.
Martin.

Something for Nothing

There you go, now i have your attention, I received a phone call from David Johnston in the Royal School Dungannon (028 8772 2710) in which he asked if there were any schools that use the PIC AXE system as they are making the jump to GENIE and they have some surplus stock that they are willing to pass on to anyone in need.

Items are:
PIC 16F888 approx 30 Rapid 13-0862
PICAXE 08M2 approx 80 Rapid 13-5022
A number of pre-built activity/project boards

Please feel free to contact David on 028 8772 2710........... and yes it`s all FREE!!!!!!

Tensol Cement Alternative

Hi everyone over the past couple of years we have had a number of calls from schools relating to the issue of obtaining Tensol Cement, due to shipping regulations etc.
On a chance conversation with one of our Technology & Design teachers (Connor Devlin St Brigid`s Armagh, i`ve named you) he was able to tell me of another product that he feels excels Tensol Cement, it creates virtually no residue and bonds in seconds.

For anyone interested in possibly moving away from old faithful to new and exciting, the product is called Evo Stik Rapid Mitre Fix Trade 351882

Lismore student excels at GCSE Engineering

Pictured above is Lismore Comprehensive student Dylan Blades who has gained second place in GCSE Engineering in Northern Ireland. Dylan is currently studying A-Levels in Lismore and plans to follow a career course in the field of engineering. Pictured is Mr Hughes (Engineering tutor), Mrs R Lavery (Vice Principal), Dylan, Mrs Ballentine (Engineering tutor) and Mr O'Neill (Head of Technology and Engineering)

Engineering success for Lurgan Junior High School

Lurgan Junior High School Excel at Sentinus Event

MDX 40 Driver for C2K Transformed schools

Hi and welcome back to the exciting (and possibly stressful) new academic year!
All of the schools should now have been through the C2K Transformation and with all new systems comes the inevitable tinkering and tailoring to suit your own specific needs, as some of you have probably noticed there are new drivers required for your CNC machines.

We will upload any new drivers as requested to our VLE in order to ease the process.

In addition you might need to contact the C2K service desk 0870 6011666 and ask for 2D Design to be deployed to your school.

As usual please feel free to contact our Technology & Design team.

3D printer videos

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24209140

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25239606

Happy New Year to all, just a couple of videos on BBC relating to 3D priniters.

Martin.

STEM Module - Autodesk Software Roadshow

Autodesk Launches its Support for Northern Ireland Schools – An exciting opportunity
to see how Autodesk can support your School, in conjunction with the STEM Module.
Autodesk are proud to be able to support all Northern Ireland Schools with FREE access to its
industry leading software both inside, and outside, the classroom as well as curriculum created by
teachers, for teachers, as part of our new Design the Future Campaign. In addition to this, as
global software partners of both F1 in Schools, and VEX Robotics, Autodesk has an abundance of
exciting opportunities to inspire your students. Plus with our new certification programme,
mapped to UK curriculum standards, you can ensure you and your students gain the industry
professional recognition that you deserve.
In conjunction with the STEM Module, Autodesk will be hosting a series of drop in sessions from
11am until 5pm across the country to give you a taster of what is on offer. You will be given the
opportunity to sample some of the curriculum, meet our partners and see how you can take the
steps towards integrating this technology into your classroom.
To STEM Module will be making the following visits:
Monday 21st Oct
NEELB - Antrim Board Centre, Lough Road, ANTRIM
Tuesday 22nd Oct
WELB - Education Technology Centre, OMAGH
(Dunnes Stores Car park opposite)
Wednesday 23rd Oct
SELB - Clounagh Centre, PORTADOWN
Thursday 24th Oct
SEELB - Board HQ, Grahamsbridge Road, DUNDONALD
Friday 25th Oct
BELB - Fortwilliam Resource Centre, Fortwilliam Park, BELFAST

Solidworks Student Design Kit

We are happy to announce that the new serial number is now available for the student design kit, any teacher or student that already has the software installed will be able to upgrade the licence.

If you require a new installation, a disc can be requested from Jacquie Uprichard jacqueline.uprichard@selb.org please be aware there are two versions (32 bit and 64 bit) if your computer is a 64 bit machine you will need to bring a pen drive/external drive to the Clounagh Centre with at least 6Gb of free memory.

I hope this all makes sense, any queries please feel free to contact us.
Happy CADing!

Circular saw/Bandsaw Training - Full Course

We would like to bring to you attention the following circular relating to Circular Saw/Bandsaw Training.  Please contact jacquie.uprichard@selb.org should you have any queries.  If there are teachers or technicians in your department that require this training could you please bring this to their attention.  
Please note, this is not refresher training.
 Click here for the link to the document.

Bandsaw and extraction replacement programme.

We are aware that there are still a number of schools who are yet to have their new bandsaws and extraction units fitted.  We would like to assure you that we are currently working on this and hope to have all work, (including any remaining issues with retrofitted extraction units to older bandsaws/existing hammer saws) completed in the coming weeks.  We appreciate your patience and co-operation on this matter.  We would also like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best of luck in the upcoming academic year. 

PS If there are any new teachers/technicians in your department could you please let us know and we will add them to the mailing list. 

Centre Lathe Test - deadline 28th June.

For those who have yet to complete the Yacapaca Centre Lathe test could you please do so before next Friday 28th. I appreciate there have been some issues with users not getting logged on but that has now been resolved.  If you do not see the test you may have to click on the archive tab (top right) on your home screen after you have logged in.

Technician Training - News

 Please click on the link below and see circular number 2013/096 for details.

http://www.selb.org/schooldocuments/index.htm

KS3 Project sharing opportunity - CANCELLED!