One thing we’ve been lacking is a good resource on the FAB LAB… a quick guide to what we have to offer and what it does. Well, now our FAB LAB intern Becky has taken care of all that. Peruse the post and you’ll find everything you need to know about our basement buddy.
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The FABlab is where tools are used and messes get made, so we ask all who use this space to do their part in these ways:
- R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Utilize the FABlab to it’s fullest potential under a conduct of safety, cleanliness and a respectfulness to the space, it’s equipment, and it’s users. Make a mess? Clean it up. Find a machine in need of repair? Speak up. The lab works best when we all do our part.
- BYOM: Bring your own materials. With the exception of some CE-sponsored workshops, all materials used in the FABlab will be provided by you. We’ll even help you choose the right ones for your project!
- Take it with you: Our FABlab is a dynamic space made to accommodate small groups, myriad projects, interests and ideas. We cannot warehouse anything so feel free to stay and work here, just take everything with you when you leave the space.
- Document your work: We ask everyone working in the CE spaces to document and share their work. Write. Photograph. Video. However you do it, we love to tell people about the amazing work coming out of the CE. Plus you get to use it for your portfolio!
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS:
Full Spectrum MLE-40 Laser Cutter
The Full Spectrum MLE-40 Laser Cutter is one piece in the FAB Lab that you must try at least once. This piece is generally used to cut or engrave hard surfaces, and the list of allowable materials includes: cloth, paper, chipboard, museum board, MDF, wood, masonite, acrylic (such as Plexiglas). Glass and some metals can be surface engraved but not cut. If you have a question on something that is not listed here, or if you want to make an appointment to utilize the equipment, please contact Peter Lusch (luschpet@msu.edu) or Brian Adams (adamsb@msu.edu). Operation of this piece of equipment requires supervision.
Max. material size: 12.5in X 16in
Max. engravable area: 9.5in X 14.5in
Maximum material thickness: 2.75in
manual
Roland SV-12 Vinyl Cutter
The Roland SV-12 Vinyl Cutter is designed for making professional graphics out of a flexible vinyl material – perfect for stencils, stickers and signs. Simply design your graphic in a vector-based application such as Adobe Illustrator or the Roland Cut Studio software, then cut your design. The SV-12 accommodates material 12-inches wide and up to 42-inches long (maximum cutting area is 9-inches X 39-inches).
Max cutting area: 9in X 39in
Sheet width: 11in or 12in X 43.25in
Manual
Button Machine
The 2.25in Button Machine: as the name suggests, makes the 2.25 inch variety of campaign-style pin-backed buttons. Here at the CE, we’ve used them for events, nametags, give-aways, or a fun activity with co-workers and friends. The Button Maker is so easy to use. Simply prepare artwork to fit within a 2-inch radius, print it, cut it with the accompanying circle cutter, load it into the Maker and with a pull of the handle you’ve got a button!
Central Machinery 8-inch Drill Press
The Central Machinery 8-inch Drill Press is used to secure material for drilling purposes. Differing shapes and sizes of material will affect positioning of clamps, so be sure to consult a FAB Lab staff member before making any drills. Our drill press can accommodate soft materials up to 1.625 inches in thickness, such as wood, plastic, and some metals. This can be a dangerous piece of equipment if not handled correctly, so we require you wear safety glasses, and that you secure jewelry and long hair away from work area when operating the machine.
table tilts 45 degrees left and right
chuck capacity: 1/2in.
max. material depth (wood): 1.625in.
**get materials/speed chart from pg 14 of manual
manual
HP DesignJet 111 Printer
The HP DesignJet 111 is a general purpose ink jet printer perfect for small jobs (4×8 inches) up to oversized jobs (24×64 inches). Simply provide a CE staff member a PDF of your work to have prints made. Our printer accommodates individual sheets along with roll papers of a variety of finishes and thicknesses. Check with CE staff for our current stock of paper.
paper weight: 17# to 56#
min. manual sheet feed: 4.3in X 8.1
max. manual sheet feed: 24.in. X 64 in
max. roll feed width: 24in
manual
MakerBot Thing-o-Matic
The MakerBot Thing-o-Matic creates 3-Dimensional objects from CAD files using a hot plastic filament material. The MakerBot is perfect for basic prototyping, our Thing-o-Matic is a great way to explore your ideas or learn the process of 3D printing. If you have a question, or if you want to make an appointment to utilize the equipment, please contact Peter Lusch (luschpet@msu.edu) or Brian Adams (adamsb@msu.edu). Operation of this piece of equipment requires supervision.
build area: 3.9in. x 3.9in. x 3.9in. (100mm x 100mm x 100mm)
material: plastic filament
manual
YourStory LB30 Laminator/Binder
The YourStory LB30 Laminator/Binder is exactly what it sounds like, and operation is fairly simple: print your photos or pages, put them inside of YourStory brand book covers, place your book into the top of the machine. When you hear the beep and the arrow stops blinking, then you know it is done. Take it out and let it cool, and you’ve got yourself a newly bound book! Books may be up to 12-inches square. You can also laminate pages, cards, documents and other flat items up to 12-inches square.
Max. bindery area: 12in X 12in
Max. laminant area: 12.5in X 12.5in
Manual
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We hope to see you in the FAB Lab soon!