Makerspace Equipment
Tools and equipment available at the Makerspace
- Equipment Overview
- Laser Cutting
- Laser Safety
- Training and Reference
- Reserving the laser
- xTools F1 Ultra
- xTools D1 Pro
- Muse 3D
- Smoke Purifier
- 3D Printing
- 3D printing rules
- Current inventory of filament
- Training and Reference
- Filament drier
- Orca Slicer
- Bambu A1 mini
- Bambu P1S
- Creality Hi
- Prusa MK3S
- Raise 3D Pro 3 Plus
- Sovol SV07 Plus
- Textiles
- Embroidery Machine: Brother
- Sewing machine: Kenmore
- Sewing machine: Singer
- Knitting Machine
- Serger/overlock machine
- CNC machines
- Cricut/ Vinyl Cutters
- Electronics Equipment
- Printing
- PiSignage
Equipment Overview
This page is a placeholder. Content to be written by Makerspace members.
Laser Cutting
Laser Safety
The laser creates a very narrow, very hot band of light that rapidly heats what it touches, and will quickly burn, melt, vaporize, crack, or otherwise damage a variety of materials, including you.
Primary Dangers:
- Vision: The laser can cause blindness if misused.
- Fire: Work catches fire, or machine or table starts to catch.
- Breathing: Smoke and vapors.
- Sharp edges: Some materials can have sharp edges when freshly cut.
Never tamper with the safety settings or use if anything is not working correctly.
Always use the fume extractor with the exhaust hose connected to the laser you are operating.
If you see anything unsafe, please report it immediately.
Know where the emergency stops are located and how to use them for the laser you are using. Depending on the laser they can be:
Never use two materials on top of each other. Fires can start more easily in the area between.
Minimize the number of people near the laser.
Never use flammable liquids or gasses near the laser cutter or on materials that are going to be used in the laser cutter. If flammable substances are used to clean parts (alcohol, solvents, etc.), make sure they are fully removed and everything is clean and dry before the next use.
Never leave the laser unattended, it can start a fire.
We have different lasers with different capabilities. None of the following materials should be used in any of our lasers. They give off toxic fumes or just won't cut:
- Unidentified materials
- PVC sheet, pipe, or fabric (this includes vinyl and imitation leather)
- Other types of plastic not specifically approved (For example ABS and polycarbonate melt and burn rather than cut)
- Any metal not specifically approved for use (the fiber laser can engrave some soft metals)
- Carbon fiber, fiberglass, or any composite containing epoxy
- Artificial leather or chrome-tanned leather
- Styrofoam / Foamcore board
Vision Safety
Make sure all vision safety guards are in place before operating. If in any doubt wear a pair of laser safety glasses also. Be super careful with semi-reflective surfaces. Never insert a mirror finished or highly reflective surface shiny side up in a laser.
Despite the temptation, do not stare at the laser light while it is operating. Monitor the operation in the software.
In Case of Fire
Hit the emergency stop.
For tiny fires (e.g. candle size): Shout “Flare up!”, open the lid and spray with water. Close the lid and allow to ventilate for a few minutes. Confirm that it is out cold and get permission from staff or volunteer on duty before continuing.
If a flare up doesn’t go out immediately, or if the fire is growing: turn off the air assist and the blower using the keypad (if the laser has these), or turn off or unplug the power strip.
For more serious fires (e.g. the entire piece of work is starting to burn), shout “FIRE!”, use the small fire extinguisher in the can with the yellow trigger. If possible, turn off air assist and blower or unplug the entire power strip. Alert everyone in the space to the danger.
If the can extinguisher with the yellow trigger is not enough, or if the fire is electrical: The red fire extinguisher with the blue tip, and the one attached to the wall near the green workbench, both use caustic chemicals that can damage or destroy the laser. However, it is better to destroy the laser than to burn the building down.
For a big scary fire that cannot be put out safely, help staff or volunteer on duty evacuate everyone from the building. Proceed quickly and calmly to the safest exit. Call 911. Everybody in the Makerspace should meet on the corner in front of Starbucks.
Laser cutter fires usually have one of more of the following contributing factors:
- Not observing the laser cutter while operating
- Incorrect power and pulse settings
- Insufficient exhaust
- Unsuitable material
- Dirty optics
- Laser cutter not cleaned out regularly
Training and Reference
Material Compatibility for Laser Cutters
- General
- https://laserengravingtips.com/laser-test-file/
- Linoleum: https://community.glowforge.com/t/materials-supported-question/8558
Misc. Links of Interest
- Big list of misc. tools for various laser cutting projects: https://www.mylasertools.com/?tags=3d-print%2Claser-cut
Reserving the laser
xTools F1 Ultra
xTools D1 Pro
Muse 3D
Smoke Purifier
3D Printing
3D printing rules
Current inventory of filament
Training and Reference
3D-printing Reference and Training Information
General Design for 3D Printing
Filament Characteristics and Usage
- ABS
- PETG
- PLA
- TPU
Sources of 3D Printing Files
- makerworld.com/en (requires login to download)
- www.thingiverse.com
File Conversion
- Conversion of McMaster-Carr IGES files to STL: https://www.xconvert.com/iges-converter
Slicers
Misc. Links of Interest
- General
- Big list of misc. tools for various 3D printing projects: https://www.mylasertools.com/?tags=3d-print
- Lithophane-related
Filament drier
Orca Slicer
Bambu A1 mini
Bambu P1S
Creality Hi
Prusa MK3S
Raise 3D Pro 3 Plus
The Makerspace's largest 3D printer, with two nozzels, can print two colors at once.
Requires IdeaMaker Slicer installed on Makerspace Laptops. Free download at https://www.raise3d.com/ideamaker/Text
- Power on the printer; make sure
- Use the "Connect" button in the slicer UI to connect to the printer
- Upload the sliced file to the printer
- Use the "Connect" button to print the file from "local storage"
References
Sovol SV07 Plus
References
https://www.sovol3d.com/pages/help-center
https://wiki.sovol3d.com/en/SV07
Textiles
Embroidery Machine: Brother
Members wishing to use the embroidery machine must first attend the Embroidery Machine class, since it is a sensitive machine. You are always wecome to visit the space and look at the equipment to prepare to use it, or ask a certified member to use it with you.
Upcoming classes are listed on our website: https://rockvillemakerspace.org
Sewing machine: Kenmore
Sewing machine: Singer
Knitting Machine
Serger/overlock machine
CNC machines
ShopBot Desktop
The Makerspace has a ShopBot Desktop, which is available to members who have taken the CNC class and received a certification.
We use the Makerspace Edition of Vcarve Pro, which is compatible with the current "free trial" of Vcarve Pro which is free on their website.
Cricut/ Vinyl Cutters
Cricut
Current Cricut attachments
Electronics Equipment
Soldering
Reflow oven
Oscilloscope 1
Digital oscilloscope
Printing
HP Laser printer
Silkscreen press
Heat press
PiSignage
The makerspace has a window display TV which is controlled by a raspberry pi. Here are some notes for those working on it:
HDMI 3 on the TV (was HDMI 2 before today)
HDMI 0 on the raspberry pi 4 B
HDMI Cable or port may be loose -- momentarily drops picture when device is moved
Red Power Light sometimes goes out momentarily when device is moved
Software version update from4.8.1to5.4.3?
Fan is noisy because of vibration against the case, when it is removed from the case, it is not noisy at all.
Remote control can control the TV from outside the window -- no need to move furniture.
Directions for end-user operation:
- Power on the TV unit.
- Turn on the TV with the remote
- It should default to HDMI 3, and the playlist should auto play.
When you need to turn it off:
1. Is it safe to turn off the unit without sending a shutdown signal to pi signage?
References:
Current Status:
* Attempting to upgrade the system seems to have put it into an undefined state, so we may need to restore it from backup and try the upgrade again.