Semina

Cut, drill, weld and solder, the way it is done in a real shop

The Engineering Workshop is where frames are made. It teaches the method, not just the result: the right tool, the right order, the right protection. A careful build earns full marks, every mistake is named with the source that says why, and the whole build can be replayed and re-marked on the server.

Start buildingSee the courses

[01] Step by step

How it goes

  1. [01]Draw the plate on the dot sheet, or start from a kit
  2. [02]Cut it from the sheet and smooth every edge
  3. [03]Drill each hole to its clearance
  4. [04]Weld a centre-bar frame in the jig, V-blocks and clamps
  5. [05]Solder the power board
  6. [06]Check mass, balance and drag, then send it to the STEM Engine

[02] Specification

Tools on the bench

MeasuringVernier calipers, marker and template
CuttingCoping saw, sanding block
DrillingDrill and bits, sized to the screw
JoiningHex keys, torque screwdriver, thread locker
WeldingTIG torch for aluminium, the welding jig
SolderingSoldering iron, for the power board
SafetyMask, extraction, glasses, helmet

[03] Machines

The machines you will run

The Machine bench drives seven real machines, each drawn to its maker's published dimensions. Turn one on, cut, and stop it with the same G-code a real shop sends.

  • Desktop CNC router: the SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PRO
    [01]Desktop CNC router

    SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PRO

    Work area
    300 × 180 × 45 mm
    Drive
    Spindle to 10,000 rpm, GRBL
    Cuts
    Plywood, plastics, G10 and carbon sheet
  • CNC router: the SainSmart Genmitsu 4040-PRO
    [02]CNC router

    SainSmart Genmitsu 4040-PRO

    Work area
    400 × 400 × 78 mm
    Drive
    Spindle to 24,000 rpm
    Cuts
    Wood, plastics, composites, light aluminium
  • Diode laser, 10 W: the xTool D1 Pro 10W
    [03]Diode laser, 10 W

    xTool D1 Pro 10W

    Work area
    430 × 400 mm
    Drive
    10 W diode, GRBL laser mode
    Cuts
    Thin plywood and opaque acrylic
  • CO2 laser, 40 W: the OMTech K40
    [04]CO2 laser, 40 W

    OMTech K40

    Work area
    300 × 200 mm
    Drive
    40 W CO2 tube
    Cuts
    Plywood and acrylic
  • 3D printer: the Creality Ender-3 V2
    [05]3D printer

    Creality Ender-3 V2

    Work area
    220 × 220 × 250 mm
    Drive
    0.4 mm nozzle, Marlin
    Cuts
    PLA and PETG parts, 1.75 mm filament
  • Vertical mill: the Tormach PCNC 440
    [06]Vertical mill

    Tormach PCNC 440

    Work area
    254 × 159 × 254 mm
    Drive
    R8 spindle to 10,000 rpm
    Cuts
    Aluminium and steel, with work offsets and coolant
  • CNC lathe: the SIEG SC2 (7 × 14)
    [07]CNC lathe

    SIEG SC2 (7 × 14)

    Work area
    180 mm swing, 350 mm between centres
    Drive
    500 W, 100 to 2,500 rpm, LinuxCNC lathe mode
    Cuts
    Round bar in aluminium and brass

[04] Standards

Marked against

  • [01]ISO 273Clearance hole sizes for every screw you drill for
  • [02]ISO 4762Socket head cap screws that hold the frame together
  • [03]ISO 2768-1General tolerances your cuts are measured against
  • [04]ISO 7089 washersWashers and nuts
  • [05]TWI and Miller welding practiceTIG welding aluminium in a jig
  • [06]OSHA safetyProtection at the bench: mask, extraction, glasses, helmet
  • [07]NASA-STD-8739.3 solderingSoldering the power board
  • [08]ISO 2533 air for dragStandard air, for the drag estimate on your frame

[05] More builds

Build something else

Start today

Cut your first plate today

Create an account and open the Workshop in your browser, then take a short course to go further.

Start buildingSee the courses