Yes. Feel free to use any components in the space! But please put whatever you used back where you found it - or replace whatever you take.
Depends. The CO2 laser cannot colorize your workpiece - instead, they will burn your material in varying degrees of intensity. A color image will first be converted into grayscale on the computer, and the laser can burn with higher or lower intensity to create a darker or lighter effect.
The fiber laser can engrave in color on stainless steel. Depending on the frequency and other settings used, will result in different colors being engraved. The material must be stainless steel. No other material will produce a color engraving.
Unfortunately not. While it's impossible to have a cohesive universal "allowed" and 'not allowed' set of lists, there are some commonly used permitted materials and disallowed materials. Caution must be taken when using unknown materials, as it may ignite, not cut, emit dangerous fumes, or cause other hazards.
Check the Reference Materials Chart here for a complete list of materials that can be used on our CO2 lasers. Always ask if you are unsure!
If the machine is available after your reserved time has elapsed, you may continue working as long as there are no others waiting to use the machine, but please cede time to others if you have exceeded 6 hours of use in that week.
No, we do not allow for any of our equipment to be borrowed.
No - other than for 3D printing, we encourage all students to take a DIY approach to their projects. That being said, a staff member will always be around for assistance if you are stuck or having trouble.
We provide online Safety and Basic Use (SBU) Courses for all of our machines, though certain machines will who you to take the course and come in for a quick hands-on assessment. If you need further assistance after completing the course for the machine you are interested in, there's always someone here that can assist you with the equipment. Come visit the Makerspace to get started!
No. We will provide you with material to get you started on the machines during your initial test project. We usually have some scrap materials in most rooms left behind by others. If you have a particular project in mind though, it is best to supply your own materials or purchase them from our store (if available)
We have some material available for purchase in our store but if you have a specific project in mind, it is probably best to supply your own material.
Not exactly. Our staff will do their best to offer technical support on your project but we do not have any actual consultants on handwant.
If you want help building your own Makerspace, we do offer some consulting for that. Feel free to contact us for a tour and more information.
Our CNC cutters take your vector image file and follow the paths, node to node, with a sharp razor blade that cuts your image out of the material. The vinyl, paper or similar material is first placed on a "sticky" cutting mat and then loaded into the machine. You then adjust the blade cutting depth in order to cut the material but not cut through the paper/plastic backing or the cutting mat holding the material in place.
The first step is to take our online Safety and Basic Use course. It can be found here.
Once you have completed that training you are able to use the machines! You will need to use appropriate CAD software in order to design the 2D/3D image and save the file accordingly either as a .dxf. There will be some post-processing that has to be done to get the correct toolpaths built. Once this is completed, our staff can assist you in ensuring you have set up your material correctly to mill the design.
While our usage expectations may change in the future, we currently ask that you not use the laser for more than three contiguous hours a day, and not more than six hours a week total. Time spent learning how to use the laser will not count against that in any meaningful way, and if the laser is available, we're also likely to be flexible about usage. Please be courteous to your fellow makers!
One of our staff members can assist in teaching you how to solder. If you have other questions for your projects, visit the space and we'll see if we can help. For step-by-step instructions on how to solder, check out our Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Soldering.
Yes. Please advice a member of our staff on your project before getting started. Most of the machines are top load sewing machines but we do have an older side loading one. Not all bobbins fit the same machines. Also, it is advised to read the manual before using the machine to reduce the chance of injury to either yourself, other makers in the Makerspace, or the machine.
If you have completed the SBU training for the machine you can use the following link to reserve a machine. The 3D printers are not self serve and can not be reserved.
This is a big part of why we created our SBU trainings! We require them to be completed before most machines can be used. They are a great starting place to familarize yourself with our equipment before coming in to use them.
Normal Business Hours during the Fall and Spring Semester:
Monday - Friday 1pm - 9pm
Normal Business Hours during the Summer and Winter Semester:
Monday - Friday 12pm - 5pm
Please note: Hours are subject to change at any time for observances for Holidays, University Closings and maintenance. If you'd like to use the Woodshop, please call ahead to ensure that it is open for the day.
Pretty much anything (except weapons or drug paraphernalia). 3D printing is used to prototype projects, replacement parts for equipment (we 3D print replacement parts for our 3D printers!), useful organizational items, toys, and medical equipment/prosthetics. It's really only limited to your design capabilities (or someone else's if you download a file) and the printer's size capability. Thingiverse has some really cool files created by others if you want to get ideas.
Anything you want - as long as it's NOT:
- Weapons or objects that can intentionally cause bodily damage
- Drug paraphernalia
- Production of items for profit
We've had people make rocket parts, motorcycle mods, custom PCBs, coasters, shoes, you name it!