Makerspace boot camp fast-tracks training for student co-ops

The boot camp provides hands-on training in critical areas such as manufacturing design techniques, safety protocols and advanced digital fabrication tools. By fast-tracking this training, employers benefit from co-ops who are prepared to tackle real-world challenges and ready to integrate seamlessly into their teams, reducing onboarding time and increasing productivity. UC’s makerspace initiative underscores its commitment to cultivating a workforce that’s immediately impactful and well-prepared for the demands of the engineering industry.

The five-day Kinetic Vision co-op makerspace boot camp takes command of the UC Ground Floor Makerspace starting on Jan. 13, immersing participants in a whirlwind of innovation toward several goals. These include cultivating a deeper understanding of manufacturing design through laser cutting, 3D printing and computer numerical control (CNC) machining, gaining experience in a new computer-aided design language, going through safety training, working with equipment and enjoying camaraderie with other co-ops.

Surrounded by advanced technical tools, engineering and industrial design co-op students will seamlessly blend into the hands-on training sessions. Navigating state-of-the-art digital fabrication prototyping equipment inside the makerspace, they should feel right at home embracing innovation.

“These students were already hand-selected by Kinetic Vision because they were at the top of their skill levels, so we’ll simply give them the opportunity to work on a project collaboratively over the course of the week,” says Benjamin Jones, director of the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace. “We’ll give them hands-on training in the makerspace, which is largely translatable to what they will do at Kinetic Vision, but more importantly, we’ll give them that week to jump-start their relationships and become colleagues.”

Justin Rost, lead design engineer at Kinetic Vision, recognizes the pivotal significance of student bond-building endeavors. “It’s great for students to be able to collaborate with their peers, build rapport with one another and learn how to work as a team in a challenging environment.”

Throughout the boot camp, UC students will embark on a deep dive into the theory and safe handling of digital fabrication tools, spotlighting the world of CO2 laser engraving. As the week unfolds, participants will conquer the realms of desktop and industrial fused deposition modeling.

“Partnering with the 1819 Innovation Hub for this boot camp allows students to not only design parts for CNC machining, but work directly with the machinist to learn firsthand the impact their design choices have,” Rost says. 

While the students have access to technical guidance to ensure that what they’re doing makes sense and is practical, Jones says the creative problem-solving is their own.