Roland DG Co-Hosts An AI-Powered Original Clock-Making Workshop with Hamamatsu Science Museum Mirai-ra

10/03/2024　Corporate Activities, Digital Printing

From August 21 to 23, 2024, Roland DG held a free workshop for elementary, junior high, and high school students at Hamamatsu Science Museum Mirai-ra. Participants used AI to generate images based on their ideas and printed them onto wooden boards using UV printers. They then assembled the clock movement to complete their original clocks.
Click here for more details about Hamamatsu Science Museum Mirai-ra

Utilizing AI in a digital fabrication workshop

The workshop began with learning about AI literacy, including essential considerations like copyright, and then moved on to practical image generation. Children worked hard to figure out what words to input into the AI app to achieve their desired designs.

When the input wasn’t sufficient, the AI couldn’t produce the intended designs. The participants repeated the process of modifying their input words and increasing their detail until gradually getting closer to their desired designs. Many unique and imaginative ideas were born, ranging from abstract art-like designs to fun, animal-themed designs, and even original characters.

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  Learning about literacy for image-generating AI

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  Parents and children brainstormed together for the perfect design.

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  Inputting prompts with advice from staff

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  The workshop venue featuring the BD-8 desktop flatbed UV printer

Creating original one-of-a-kind clocks

Many participants joined the workshop as parent-child or sibling pairs. Families enjoyed working together, discussing everything from AI-based design generation to printing.

After finalizing their designs, it was time to print. We used our VersaSTUDIO BD-8 desktop flatbed UV printer for the printing process. The compact BD-8 can print directly onto three-dimensional objects and supports a wide range of materials using UV ink. The participants, many of whom had never seen a UV printer before, were fascinated by the printing process, often recording the moment with their smartphones. Once the design was printed, children carefully touched the newly printed clock faces, delighted with the result.

After drilling a hole in the center of the clock face, participants installed the clock movement. They tightened screws with tools, cut the hour, minute, and second hands to their preferred lengths, and finally set the hands to complete the clock.

The children’s eyes sparkled as they admired their one-of-a-kind clocks, with many expressing their excitement: “I want to make another one!” and “It was so exciting and fun to create designs with AI because I didn’t know what to expect.”

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  Parents and children watched the printing process using the BD-8.

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  The printing process produced smooth color gradients.

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  Staff drilling the hole

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  Adjusting the hand lengths with tools

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  Volunteer staff assisting during the workshop

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  Taking a commemorative photo with the completed original clock

Co-hosting the workshop and future prospects

This workshop was co-hosted with Hamamatsu Science Museum Mirai-ra, with the goal of introducing digital technology to children and raising awareness of local companies. Our staff, who were involved in the planning and operation, reflected, “It was a great opportunity to collaborate with Hamamatsu Science Museum, which is committed to creating content that contributes to children’s learning and growth.”

A representative from Hamamatsu Science Museum Mirai-ra shared, “We were thrilled to provide a new experience that went beyond what our usual exhibits offer, such as the excitement of printing directly on wood with a specialized printer. The participants were very satisfied.”

Through this workshop, we believe participants experienced the fun of creating new things. As we move towards the future, AI is expected to play an even bigger role in our lives. We were excited to help spark the children’s creativity by giving them hands-on experience with AI to quickly turn their ideas into designs. We hope that the experience of making something together with their families becomes a treasured summer memory.

Roland DG and Hamamatsu Science Museum Mirai-ra look forward to providing more exciting experiences in the future.