Grades 6+ | April 17 | 9:00 AM. - 12:00 PM

In this hands-on digital fabrication class, students will design and create their own custom metal artwork using the same tools and workflow used in modern fabrication shops.

Students will begin by selecting an image or silhouette that represents something meaningful to them. Using digital design tools, they will prepare their artwork so it can be precisely cut using a CNC plasma cutter.

Each design will be framed inside a metal ring chosen by the student. Options may include a simple circle, a table saw blade, or a barbed wire ring, giving every piece a unique industrial style.

After preparing their digital files, students will watch as the plasma cutter uses an electrically charged arc to cut their design from steel. Once the cutting is complete, students will move into the finishing stage where they will:

• Clean and grind the metal edges

• Smooth and refine the cut surfaces

• Prepare the piece for finishing

• Apply a protective finish to complete their artwork

By the end of the class, students will have created a custom plasma-cut steel art piece ready to hang in their room, shop, or home.

Along the way, students will experience the full digital fabrication process used in modern manufacturing and metalworking:

Design → Fabrication → Finishing

No prior metalworking experience is required. All materials, instruction, and safety equipment are provided.

Students leave with both a finished piece of metal art and a new understanding of how digital design connects to real-world fabrication technology.