What is the point of a Technician?
A Technician is accountable for the successful processing of jobs in the Advanced Fabrication Lab.
What is a Tech responsible for in the first semester?
Basic Operations
Techs are expected to be able to run jobs on any of the machines covered in basic training with minimal help.
Opening and Closing
Techs are responsible for the opening and closing of the AFL. Opening the lab encompasses all the tasks necessary to make the AFL ready for customers. This includes but is not limited to opening the doors, putting out the sign, bringing in emptied trash cans, and turning on the lights. Closing the lab encompasses all the tasks necessary to stop all in-person customer interactions. This includes but is not limited to closing the doors, bringing out the trash, cleaning up the space, and turning out the lights.
Customer Service
The AFL is the flagship lab and often customer’s first impressions of Terrapin Works, so setting a good impression is of utmost importance. Communicating with clients and providing high quality customer service comprises one of the most important job duties of AFL staff members. Communication with clients sets the tone for their relationship to Terrapin Works; make sure to communicate frequently and professionally. Update clients on any significant changes in their request and use professional language, including full sentences, in all written communications.
Clocking into Paycor
Techs are expected to clock into Paycor (previously known as Ximble) at the beginning of their shift and clock out at the end. LCs will receive notifications when this is not completed and disciplinary actions may be warranted.
Selecting an Industrial Track
After having experienced a full semester in the AFL it is expected that a Tech will select an industrial track to pursue during their second semester. Techs should look to their TSs and LCs for suggestions on which track to best pursue then reach out to the designated MS or TC of that track to get started on training.
What is a Tech responsible for in their second and subsequent semesters?
In addition to everything mentioned above, Techs who have been in the AFL for more than a semester are expected to have more knowledge over the lab operations and thus more responsibilities.
Advanced Operations
Techs are expected to be able to comfortably run all basic machines covered during initial training without help from other staff members. Additionally, Techs should be comfortable to handle jobs on the machines of their chosen industrial track.
Basic Maintenance
Techs are responsible for performing TECH - level maintenance tasks as outlined in the Maintenance Spreadsheet
Ticket Queue
Techs are expected to periodically check the AFL Ticket queue and answer general questions about the AFL. This includes but is not limited to:
- How to setup guest PC account
- What lead times are for each machine
- How to submit job requests
- How to add a KFS account
Phone Calls
Techs are expected to take all phone calls and either answer the customer's question or know who to contact about it.
Tours
Techs should be comfortable giving basic tours of the AFL to whoever may walk in. This does not include pre-scheduled tours for open houses or external clients.
Basic Training
This phase of training takes approximately 20 hours to complete. During a normal semester, this would be completed in the 2 week period prior to the end of the add/drop period.
The first Lab Manager training course for AFL staff focuses on a general intro to what the AFL does, what the daily responsibilities for a Lab Manager may be, and how to perform a few basic daily operations. This course also provides a refresher on how to process payments and a safety tour of the lab.
Staff: Intro to Technician Training in the AFL
Staff: Intro to the AFL
Staff: Safety in the AFL
PaperCut: Processing Payments
Using the Credit Card Reader
Using the Terrapin Express Reader
PaperCut: Deposit Funds
AFL LM-01 Deliverables
The second Lab Manager training course for AFL staff focuses on an intro to customer service in the AFL, and discusses how to properly manage and operate the Zortrax M200, Zortrax M300 and Ultimaker 2+. This course also provides a refresher on how to process payments and a safety tour of the lab.
Staff: Customer Service in the AFL
Staff: Zortrax M200/M300 Printer Intro
Staff: Zortrax M200/M300 Workflow
Z-suite: Slicing
Zortrax M200/M300: Starting a Print
Zortrax M200/M300: Harvesting
Zortrax M200/M300: Changing Filament
Staff: Ultimaker 2+/3 Printer Intro
Staff: Ultimaker 2+ Workflow
Ultimaker Cura: Getting Started
Ultimaker 2+: Starting a Print
Ultimaker 2+: Harvesting
Ultimaker 2+/3: Changing the Filament
AFL LM-02 Deliverables
The third Lab Manager training course for AFL staff focuses on a complete tutorial on workflows, machine introductions and basic operation of the Markforged Mark Two and Prusa i3 MK3S.
Staff: Markforged Mark Two Printer Intro
Staff: Markforged Mark Two Workflow
Eiger: Getting Started
Markforged Mark Two: Starting a Print
Markforged Mark Two: Harvesting
Markforged Mark Two: Changing the Filament
Markforged Mark Two: Changing the Fiber Reinforcement Filament
Staff: Prusa i3 MK3S Printer Intro
Staff: Prusa i3 MK3S Papercut Workflow
PrusaSlicer: Getting Started
Prusa i3 MK3S: Preparing to Print
Prusa i3 MK3S: Harvesting
AFL LM-03 Deliverables
The fourth Lab Manager training course for AFL staff focuses on a complete tutorial on workflows, machine introductions and basic operation of the Formlabs Form 2.
Staff: Formlabs Form 2 Intro
Staff: Formlabs Workflow
Preform: Slicing
Formlabs Form 2: Starting a Print
AFL LM-04 Deliverables
The fifth Lab Manager training course for AFL staff focuses on a complete tutorial on advanced operations of the Formlabs Form 2, including harvesting, material changeover, and usage of the Form Cure and Form Wash systems.
Formlabs Form Machines: Harvesting a Print
Formlabs Form 2: Changing Resin Cartridge and Tank
Formlabs Form Machines: Waste Disposal
AFL LM-05 Deliverables
The sixth Lab Manager training course for AFL staff focuses on laser cutting with the Epilog Laser Fusion M2, and includes a basic primer to using Adobe Illustrator for file prep.
Staff: Epilog Laser Fusion M2 Intro
Staff: Epilog Laser Fusion M2 Workflow
Adobe Illustrator: Basics
Adobe Illustrator: Preparing Files for the Epilog
Epilog Laser Fusion M2: Sending a File
Epilog Laser: Preparing to Cut and Engrave
Epilog Laser: USB Driver Setup
AFL LM-06 Deliverables
The seventh Lab Manager training course for AFL staff focuses on an introduction to the power tools available in the space.
Cordless Drill
Impact Driver
Circular Saw
Reciprocating Saw
Dremel Rotary Tool
Ultrasonic Cutter Usage
AFL LM-07 Deliverables
The eighth Lab Manager training course for AFL staff focuses on an introduction to the Keyence and Romer Absolut Arm.
3D Scanning Basics
Staff: 3D Scanners Intro
Romer Absolute Arm: Preparing to Scan
Romer Absolute Arm: Executing a Scan
Basic Post Processing in Geomagic Design X
Keyence VR-3200 Intro
AFL LM-08 Deliverables
The ninth Lab Manager training course for AFL staff focuses on an introduction to the Artec Spider and Artec Leo.
Artec Spider Scanning Tutorial
Artec Leo: Getting Started with Scanning
Post-Processing in Artec Studio
AFL LM-09 Deliverables
Staff: MakerGear M3-ID Workflow
Simplify3D: Getting Started
Staff: Raise3D N2 Plus Printer Intro
Staff: Raise3D N2 Plus Workflow
ideaMaker: Slicing
Raise3D N2 Plus: Starting a Print
Raise3D N2 Plus: Harvesting
Raise3D N2 Plus: Changing Filament
Staff: Dremel 3D45 Intro
Dremel 3D45: Starting a Print
Dremel 3D45: Harvesting
Advanced Training
This phase of training should take approximately 8 hours to complete. At this point, the trainee will have started working regular hours in the lab, and these advanced training topics should be taken up on slow work days, spread out over the course of the rest of the semester.