tech talk Integrated Design, Part 3: Fabrication Preparation to Project
Completion Te third and final part of this series discusses time management, tool and material prepping and final execution.
WORDS BY JOEY KNAPP, SIMPLICITY IN SOUND, AND TOM MILLER, MUSICAR NORTHWEST
TOM’S PART:
INTRO In the last two articles we introduced you to a design phi-
losophy called “Integrated Design”. We discussed some guidelines for design and layout. We also provided informa- tion on resources that can prove indispensable to the installer or fabricator who is ready to take their game to the next level. In this third—and final—article of the series, we are going
to get down to the nitty-gritty of seeing our vision through to fruition and completing the project. It’s time to get to the fun, dirty, exhilarating, and exhausting task of fabrication. In this article, Tom is going to talk about some of the fundamentals of fabrication, and how to avoid some of the pitfalls that can drag a project out well beyond the budgeted time. And Joey is going to give us his tips on getting to the finish line. He will also provide us with valuable resources for tools and materi- als, which we will need to provide the level of world-class fit and finish that he is known for.
54 Mobile Electronics June 2014
At this point we should have a pretty solid vision of what the finished product will look like. We should have gone through the layout phase to determine where our components will live, and which shapes, colors, textures, and materials we will be uti- lizing in the build. Now is the time to follow our plan of attack and start building. The more preparation you have put in to the design and layout phases of the build, the faster and smoother the build will go. Like a contractor with an architect’s blueprint, you can simply go through the process of completing the build. In more pragmatic terms, being prepared should include having a clean and safe working environment. I like to do a thorough cleaning of the fab shop before I begin a new project, and I’ll clean regularly between stages, or when I finish a portion of the project. I’ve found that this little bit of time spent cleaning and organizing can greatly improve my overall time spent on the project. Also, make a list of the materials and hardware (or any spe-
cialty tools) that you’ll need for the project, and make sure they are on hand when you will need them. You want to avoid having to stop in the middle of a build because you ran out of some- thing, or having to compromise on your vision because you didn’t have the right tool at the time. If you don’t feel like you have a complete and comprehen- sive plan, don’t fret. The truth is very few of us can see every
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