Hello everyone,
July 2024 may go-down in history as the hottest July ever recorded! What a good reason to work on your projects and create something new in the air conditioned 3D Lab at Wayne College. We are happy to talk about your ideas and use the software and equipment to make them a reality. Our hours of operation are here and a list of equipment is here. We offer free advice and free use of most the equipment. Make a point to stop-by!
We spent the summer maintaining and fixing equipment, notably a 3D printer with movement problems, a dye sublimation printer with clogged nozzles, and a an aging laser engraver that needed a little TLC. In the spirit of “making”, we prefer fixing our equipment instead of hiring outside companies. It helps us understand the equipment and teach its use to others. We are also upgrading software in the 3D Lab to support new students visiting the lab, especially young engineers! We are happy to teach you how to use paint programs, CAD software, vector art programs, and much more in the 3D Lab.
Earlier this summer, instructor Kristen Horst brought her family to make personalized t-shirts for a family event. The process involves a design that cut into outlines onto heat-transfer vinyl using a vinyl cutter. She then removed the background vinyl, leaving the design on its clear backing material. A shirt is placed in a heat press, the design placed on top, then pressed for 40 seconds at 400 degrees. Then it’s done! It’s an easy process for a few shirts, but can be tedious if many need made.
Alumnus Rob Howard has been a regular at the 3D Lab since the spring semester. He crafts amazing leather items such as satchels, hats, wallets, decorative items, and whatever else he dreams up. In the past, Rob hand-cut leather pieces and punched stitching holes manually. He discovered that the lab’s laser cutter is perfect for his work, as it easily cuts leather. Being proficient with art design programs such as Adobe Illustrator and PhotoShop, Rob can laser-cut leather pieces and stitching holes with precision, then engrave images onto the leather’s face. It has simplified his workflow and looks artisan-made! He resented and sold his work at Maker Faire Wayne County earlier this year.
Earlier this week, we were visited by clients from Christian Children’s Home of Ohio, a residential treatment facility in Wooster designed to meet the mental, emotional, physical, recreational, and spiritual needs of abused, neglected, and traumatized children. Children are provided a variety of therapeutic approaches, such as equine-assisted therapy, art, group, partial hospitalization, individual, play, and certified trauma therapy.
In the 3D Lab, we introduced them to the empowerment and confidence that “creating” instills in everyone. We explained how these digital tools work, then they got busy using them! Many felt right at-home with using the design software and understanding how the machines work. They made personalized water bottles and plaques (provided by P. Graham Dunn), 3D printed earbud holders, metal buttons, and more for a fun afternoon together! Opening their minds to making creative things possible is what we’re all about.
Stay tuned next month as we reveal more interesting things happening the 3D Lab!!
Until then,
Tom
See how 3D printing makes casts, braces & orthotics affordable and accessiblehttps://all3dp.com/1/3d-print-orthotics-practitioners-guide
Like puzzles to beat the summer heat? Here are 30 that you can 3D print!https://all3dp.com/2/3d-printed-puzzle-stl
Wayne County 2024 is happening on Saturday, July 27th 20, 2024! Signups are starting soon! Click here for more information.
There will be no July Maker Monday meeting. Work on your personal projects to share with the Maker group when Maker Monday meetings resume. Please check www.schantzmakerspace.com for information.
Be sure to attend Make-it Monday, a monthly open meeting every second Monday at 6:00-8:00 p.m. Visit https://applecreekhistoricalsociety.com/maker-space for more information.
We offer a free “listserv” that allows to you ask questions to members in the makerspace. It’s great for sharing ideas, forming friendships, and helping & advising each other. To join, send an email to listserv@lists.uakron.edu with “SUBSCRIBE MAKERSPACE-GROUP” in the subject line.