Hello everyone,

The final week of summer break finishes this week; a new semester with new students and fresh stories begins this Monday!  Yesterday was Welcome To Wayne Day, a fun event where new students explored the college grounds, met faculty & staff, and discovered the academic and personal resources available to them.  The 3D Lab was available that day, being a free resource for  academic and personal projects, regardless of discipline.

The 3D Lab is also a community resource; we welcome people of all backgrounds and ages to explore what the lab can help you with.  We assist with the design and fabrication of replacement broken parts, make customized gifts (often with free, donated materials), and transform ideas into real objects that you can hold into your hand!  Let us know you’re coming; we’ll have someone who can show you the ropes and get you started.

Earlier this summer, a community member asked if the 3D Lab can assist with creating a replacement spool for his weed trimmer.  PLA, the typical plastic used in 3D printers, is not strong enough for spinning force of a trimmer.  But other plastics are suitable, such as PLA+, ASA, and polycarbonate.  We chose the latter for this project.  Another community member reproduced the part with Fusion 360 CAD design software, then we printed the design on our Lulzbot Taz printer with polycarbonate filament.  It worked quite well!

Did you know that www.thingiverse.com has thousands of replacement parts available for almost anything you can dream of?  Keep in-mind that community provided designs are not approved by manufacturers and can result in injury.  For instance, a 3D printed refrigerator knob is a “safe” replacement, while a replacement belt pully may not be if not designed and/or printed correctly.

Back in the lab, community member John uses the laser cutter for a variety of projects, such as tool case foam inserts, wedding decorations, and toys for his kids.  His latest creation is lasering shapes from 1/16” plywood into unique earrings for his wife.  Some were left as natural wood tone, others painted.  Metal hooks are easily found on Amazon, completing the earrings.  It’s one-of-kind (actually, two-of-a-kind) jewelry!

Earlier this month, the Wayne College 3D Lab made a road trip to the Holmes County Fair for the annual Kids Day.  In its 100th year, the fair is one of the most family friendly and affordable entertainment experiences for people of all ages to enjoy.  There were lots of educational and “just plain fun” activities, such as crafting a clucking rooster, making slime, and playing a matching game. 

The 3D Lab brought a 3D printer into the mix where hundreds of kids (and many parents and adults) were fascinated with how they worked.  Now that 3D printers have been  available for a number of years, some kids have printers at-home and in their schools, excited to relate their stories at our table.  I foresaw many budding engineers throughout the day!

Stay tuned next month as we reveal more interesting things happening the 3D Lab!!

Until then,

Tom

Would you eat 3D printed meat?  Just approved by the FDA and USDA, it may be coming to your plate.  Here is everything you need to know:https://all3dp.com/1/3d-printed-meat

We all enjoy board games!  Here are the 40 best 3D Printed Board Games of 2023 that you make:https://all3dp.com/2/best-3d-printed-board-games

Wayne County 2024 is happening on Saturday, July 27th 20, 2024!  Signups are starting soon!  Click here for more information.

There is no August 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.