SeamLS

The Advanced Functional Fabrics Curriculum

Thank you for your interest in the SeamLS curriculum from Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA). Bookmark this page to ensure easy access. Below are 8 individual units of the curriculum, which can be taught as individual units or together as a full advanced functional fabrics curriculum.

If you have any questions as you go through the curriculum, please feel free to reach out to curriculum@affoa.org

Engineering Design with Prototyping

This curriculum is composed of 15 lessons. Engineering Design with Prototyping (EDP) is designed to be a 3-4 week module, but more time can be added as needed to extend work time, ideating time, prototype building, etc. In the first 2 weeks of the course, labeled in the curriculum as Engineering Design (ED), students will learn about user-centered design and complete a design cycle to create a detailed sketch of an advanced functional fabric product prototype; they will then create a slide deck and present their idea. In the final 1-2 weeks of the course, labeled in the curriculum as EDP, students will create a working prototype of a functional fabric product and present their work at a final product exhibition.

Advanced Functional Fiber Manufacturing

This curriculum will teach students a variety of shop skills and foundations, which will give them the necessary background for creating preforms.

In addition to the fifteen lessons, this curriculum also includes Job Breakdown Sheets outlining general machining processes, preparing for preform draw, and drawing preforms. These can be found in the “Job Breakdown Sheets” section of the curriculum.

Blueprint Reading

This curriculum teaches students how to read blueprints by focusing on each part of a blueprint individually. By learning about each component and studying many different sample blueprints, students are able to read and understand any blueprint.

Electrical Engineering Curriculum

In this curriculum, students will learn about the basic principles of electrical engineering through a variety of lessons, activities, and references. They will experience building circuits for themselves, then learn about the science behind these circuits.

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing

In this curriculum, students will learn about the definitions and symbology of a variety of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) concepts, including feature control frames, angularity, and maximum material condition. After completing this curriculum, students will complete a final assessment where they identify the various GD&T markings on a technical drawing.

General Shop Safety

In this curriculum, students learn the basics of shop safety, from personal protective equipment to electrical safety. Through a variety of lessons and activities, students learn to approach their work in the shop with efficiency and safety.

Introduction to Measurement

This curriculum teaches students how to accurately measure machined pieces using three methods: machinist scales, dial calipers, and micrometers. By learning about these three devices, as well as the motivation behind accurate measurements, students are able to accurately measure any machined piece with high precision.

Knitting Fundamentals

This curriculum builds foundational knowledge about knitting, patterns, and yarn, then instructs students on how to use the Knit Paint software and the SHIMA SIEKI knitting machine to create original designs. This all-in-one curriculum also includes a section of student challenges using the various SHIMA SEIKI templates, as well as a section on safety protocol and additional information for using the machine.

Questions?

If you have any questions as you go through the curriculum, or would like to connect with the AFFOA team to discuss how to best leverage the content, please feel free to reach out to curriculum@affoa.org