Training
To ensure that the lab users operate the machinery in the IDEA Lab appropriately and safely, a variety of training is available to students, faculty members and staff at SHU.
The IDEA Lab promotes a culture of safety, where students feel comfortable and confident utilizing the equipment safely, enhanced with printed and audio-visual materials.
IDEA Lab Trainings
Learning Objectives
- How to safely operate our 3D printers
- Coordinate with a staff member to start your print
- 3D-printing rules
- How to properly fill out a 3D printing ticket
- When you can use our 3D printers
- How to prepare the 3D printer
- How to check the filament
- How to use Octoprint
- Access Octoprint
- Uploading .stl files
- Auto Slicing
- Printing using Octoprint
- How to properly pick up your print
- Cleaning the support
3D Printing Rules
- What am I not allowed to print?
Anything that is considered harmful or inappropriate. When coordinating with a staff member to start your print, you will be told if there is any issue. - How many printers can I use at once?
One printer. We want to make sure that everyone has access to the printers on top of keeping usage reasonable, as it is a free service. Ask a staff member about any special requests. - How long can my print be?
There are no specific time limits, however during the ticket approval, the staff member may ask you to make tweaks to your print if something is wasteful. - Can I choose a specific color/material?
For the 3D-Printing Basics training, the Prusa MK3S printers are preloaded with a variety of colors of PLA filament. By choosing which specific printer you’ll use, you are choosing the color that is preloaded into it. For other colors and/or materials, consult with a staff member about our other 3D printing training. - What do I do if the filament ran out or broke?
Notify a staff member to resolve the issue and then you can continue or restart your print using the same printing ticket. - My print is finished, what’s next?
Wait until it is available in the Pick-up Area for you. Ask a staff member if you need help! - What happens if my print fails?
Consult with a staff member to start another print to try again. You can re-use the same printing ticket. We recommend asking a staff member for advice as it may be failing because of the file or printer. - What happens if the printer breaks?
Inform a staff member or if none is available, fill in a line on the 3D Printer Issue Log. Remember to always stay out of the Staff-Only Area by the printers that is marked on the floor.
Learning Objectives
- How to safely operate our Epilog Lasers
- Coordinate with a staff member to start your project
- Using the fume/filter
- What to do in case of a fire
- How to use the E-Stop
- How to use InkScape
- Cutting vs Engraving
- Doubles
- Sniping/Boundaries
- How to Use the Epilog Manager
- Placement
- Hairline stroke for cutting vs fill for engraving
- Job settings
- Learning the laser controls
- Materials that are safe in the laser cutters
- Inserting the material
- Focusing
- Placement
- Tips for using the laser
- Holding down the test piece
- Frequency when burning
- How kerf is related to getting a good press fit
Epilog Laser Rules
- There must be a staff member in the room for you to be able to use the laser.
- You are allowed two free sheets of wood per semester; for any more sheets than that, or other material supplied through the Maker Space, you must ask a staff member.
- If you would like to bring in your own material, you need to have clear documentation of exactly what material it is (i.e., an MSDS) and you must get approval from a staff member before using it.
- You must always have the filter on when running a job on the laser.
- If you want to use or remove the laser rotary adapter, you must have a staff member put it in or take it out of the machine. Do not try to put it in or take it out yourself.
- If there are any problems, such as fire, machine error or machine crash, you must report these problems to a staff member immediately.
Learning Objectives
- Safety
- Coordinate with a staff member to start your project
- Jobs must be validated by a staff member before starting
- A staff member must be present at all times
- When operating the Shopbot you must wear safety glasses, ear protection and closed toe shoes
- Tidy up anything “loose” such as necklaces, and do not wear anything on your hands including jewelry (or gloves while the machine is on)
- While in operation, you must stand behind the safety line (red tape on the floor)
- If you need to store any materials for more than a day, contact a staff member. By default, any materials found in the lab are considered available for use
- Free scraps are available, ask a staff member
- Loading
- For large pieces, two people are required. A staff member can help you!
- Make sure the material is flat and its corner is at the XY origin
- Clamping technique/vacuum holding
- Powering the Shopbot
- Gantry/bed/spindle/buttons/tools/vacuum
- direction/where is the XY origin located
- Changing bit
- Checking current bit size
- Changing bit/collet
- Secure new bit
- VCarve
- Importing your design (and accepted formats)
- Creating Toolpaths
- Path tool
- Pocket tool
- Vcarve tool
- Dog Bones/T Bones
- Choosing the right bit
- Feeds and speeds
- Troubleshooting
- Scale/dimensions
- Closing path
- Cutting extra paths
- Checking directions
- Toolpath order-Exporting from VCarve to the Shopbot
- Shopbot control
- Zeroing the machine
- Loading .SBP file
- Staff member validation
- Dust collection on
- Vacuum on
- Starting the job/checks while operating
- Troubleshoot (depth, size, direction, etc.)
Inlay
Two-sided 3D Machining
What are the Labels on an Arduino?
The Arduino board differs based on the type of Arduino board (i.e. Uno, Leonardo, Micro, etc.) you have, but the basic set up and labels are the same.
Understanding the Arduino IDE
The Arduino Software (IDE) contains the text editor where you can write code, a message area (output pane), a text console and a toolbar. When the Arduino board is connected to a computer you are then able to upload sketches, programs, to the board. In the Arduino IDE, the programs you write are called sketches, and these sketches are written in the text editor and saved with the file extension .ino. In the text editor you can copy, paste, cut, search, replace text, and debug once code is compiled. Text in the message area will give you feedback on your code and let you know if there are any problems that you need to debug.
Additional Resources to Learn Arduino
What is Easel?
Easel is a web-based CNC software platform that allows users to design, import and carve from a single program. Easel is easy-to-use for makers of any level and is free to use.
What is the Carvey?
The Carvey is a fully enclosed CNC Router that was designed with safety and simplicity in mind. Using Easel, users can create a simple design and cut it out of various materials like wood and plastic in a few minutes.
Carvey Training Videos
Overview
Button Functions
Preparing Materials
Use Guide
Using the Carvey for PCB
When using the Carvey to make a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), you will need to use software, such as Fritzing or Fusion 360, to make the design, and then you must import it into Easel. This will either be in the form of an SVG file or g-code. G-code is preferable.
FlatCAM
FlatCAM is an application that allows users to prepare their designs for use with a CNC router. This training on FlatCAM will allow users to take their PCB design files that are in Gerber, Excellon, or G-code format and prepare them for use with the Carvey CNC Router. (For important things to keep in mind look at the Cheat Sheet)
Preparing a One-Sided PCB
Two-sided PCB
CorelDRAW
CorelDRAW is a vector graphics editor. If you can export your PCB design to an SVG then you will need to edit and prepare those SVG files for the Carvey so that your PCB prints correctly.
Preparing SVG File for Carvey
Fritzing UI
Fritzing Important Notes
What is Soldering?
What is Solder?
Soldering Safety
Soldering Technique
Desoldering
Essential Tools
Refining the Basics
Intermediate Walkthrough
CAM Training
Electronics Training
PCB Schematic
PCB Layout
CorelDRAW: Creating Paths from Pictures
Emergency Equipment
For student, faculty and staff safety, emergency equipment has been strategically positioned throughout the IDEA lab. Equipment includes first aid kits, fire extinguishers and eye and body wash stations. The IDEA Lab staff regularly inspects all equipment, ensuring that it is in proper condition and within expiration dates.
Various forms of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are also available to all its users to safeguard themselves when dealing with potentially dangerous chemicals or equipment. The PPE includes bleach wipes, disposable lab coats, safety vests, masks, face shields, safety glasses or goggles, gloves and earplugs or earmuffs.