Introduction to Digital Fabrication

This certificate prepares carpenters to integrate digital tools—CAD/CAM, CNC routers, and laser cutters—into rough and finish carpentry, cabinet, and architectural millwork. The curriculum includes OSHA-30 safety, layout/measurement, joinery, and installation for entry-level preparation and incumbent-worker upskilling in wood-products shops and on-site construction.

CA=10

This certificate prepares carpenters to integrate digital tools—CAD/CAM, CNC routers, and laser cutters—into rough and finish carpentry, cabinet, and architectural millwork. The curriculum includes OSHA-30 safety, layout/measurement, joinery, and installation for entry-level preparation and incumbent-worker upskilling in wood-products shops and on-site construction.

Item 1.            Program Goals and Objectives

Goal: Upskill current and aspiring carpenters to apply digital fabrication methods within carpentry workflows.

Objectives:

• Apply shop and site safety consistent with OSHA-30.
• Perform rough-carpentry layout, measurement, and assembly to tolerance.
• Execute finish-carpentry tasks including fitting, scribing, and installation.
• Use CAD/CAM to generate cut lists, toolpaths, and shop documentation.
• Set up and operate CNC routers and laser cutters for wood products.
• Integrate digital and conventional methods to improve accuracy and productivity in cabinet/millwork and site construction.

Program Outcomes

1. Demonstrate rough and finish carpentry tasks to safety specifications, applying OSHA-30 practices.
2. Prepare parts, fixtures, and assemblies for cabinet/millwork and site construction using CAD/CAM, CNC routers, and laser cutters.
3. Interpret drawings into cut lists, toolpaths, and installation plans, integrating digital and conventional methods to improve quality, speed, and material yield in wood-product workflows.

Item 2.            Catalog Description

This certificate prepares carpenters to integrate digital tools—CAD/CAM, CNC routers, and laser cutters—into rough and finish carpentry, cabinet, and architectural millwork. The curriculum includes OSHA-30 safety, layout/measurement, joinery, and installation for entry-level preparation and incumbent-worker upskilling in wood-products shops and on-site construction.

Item 4.            Master Planning

This certificate supports the college’s career education mission by aligning the Carpentry pathway with modern digital fabrication used in regional cabinet shops, architectural millwork, set/prop fabrication, and jobsite prefabrication. It complements existing Carpentry and Wood Technology coursework, provides an OSHA-recognized safety credential, and offers stackability into related certificates or an AS where applicable.

Item 5.            Enrollment and Completer Projections

Interest in the Introduction to Digital Fabrication Certificate of Achievement is expected to be modest at first and grow quickly through marketing efforts to bring this program into broader community awareness. Enrollment and completion of CA are projected to be at least 10 students per year completing after the inaugural first two years of this program.

Item 6.            Place of Program in Curriculum/Similar Programs

• There are no active inventory records that need to be changed in connection with the approval of the proposed program.  
• This program does not replace any existing program on the college’s inventory. 
• There are no related programs offered by the college.

Item 7.            Similar Programs at Other Colleges in Service Area

Laney is the only college in the district that offers carpentry curriculum.  Outside of our district:

• City College of San Francisco – Construction Technology (COA): carpentry-adjacent coursework; not focused on digital fabrication within carpentry workflows.
• Santa Rosa Junior College – Carpentry Fundamentals (noncredit): residential framing and tool safety; distinct from this for-credit digital-fab integration.
• CCSF – Maker Studies (COA): makerspace-centered and cross-disciplinary; not carpentry-anchored.
   Laney has notified peer colleges and is available to coordinate to avoid duplication.

This certificate supports the college’s career education mission by aligning the Carpentry pathway with modern digital fabrication used in regional cabinet shops, architectural millwork, set/prop fabrication, and jobsite prefabrication. It complements existing Carpentry and Wood Technology coursework, provides an OSHA-recognized safety credential, and offers stackability into related certificates or an AS where applicable.

• City College of San Francisco – Construction Technology (COA): carpentry-adjacent coursework; not focused on digital fabrication within carpentry workflows.
• Santa Rosa Junior College – Carpentry Fundamentals (noncredit): residential framing and tool safety; distinct from this for-credit digital-fab integration.
• CCSF – Maker Studies (COA): makerspace-centered and cross-disciplinary; not carpentry-anchored.
   Laney has notified peer colleges and is available to coordinate to avoid duplication.