Extreme Manufacturing Requirements

For a successful Extreme Manufacturing event - in other words - for build success on a rapid time frame - there are several stringent preparation requirements.

The intended outcome of Extreme Manufacturing is a smooth, enjoyable build event that results in optimized learning and fun. We have observed that the single most important element towards fulfillment of the participants is a completed product. We have observed this in light of that no matter how much fun people had in the process - if they do not see a finished product at the end of the workshop - their morale is likely to go down. In extreme cases - they are downright pissed off due to improper expectation management. We expect to finish and promise a finished build - otherwise we don't start by calling the event an Extreme Manufacturing event.

We have seen great fulfillment from OSE's workshops. We have changed many participants' mindsets from believing that they can not build things - to a mindset that they can build anything. Seeing a product come together from scratch - under one's own hands - to a fished form - can be very fulfilling and empowering - both practically and psychologically.

The quality of the results will depend on the amount of pre-build preparation that both the producers of the event - and the participants - are willing to study prior to the actual build. Naturally, preparing the material takes a lot of time - and so can studying the materials.

Requirements:

1. An instructor who understands the design rationale for every single part of the build, who has the experience of building the item at the very least one time, and who is good at teaching.
2. A design that has been optimized for simplicity, low skill requirement, and minimum unique parts count. Minimum part count is not as critical as minimum unique part count.
3. Carefully orchestrated, efficient workflow.
4. Verifiable workflow.
5. Complete and perfect written documentation. There are many types of learning styles. There are apparently people who work best from written instructions, for whom even having a visual model that they can see in real life not being as important as the availability of material in written form.
6. Effective short videos showing the build in rapid, condensed form, which can be viewed quickly - and looped during the build for repetition. Ideally - these are 5 to 15 second segments showing all the steps - and should include voice-over. We point out the importance of voice-over.
7. CAD models and ability to view them in 3D. For this, we use FreeCAD models - though online, embeddable 3D - and part explosions with annotations - can be used. We are developing WebGL models and techniques for generating them.
8. Real life model of the product being build for participants to look at.

Failure to address these preparation points is likely to result in the following:

1. Frustration due to unclear procedures and insufficient time for build completion
2. N