Makerspace Orientation and Safety Requirements:

  • Successful completion of the safety policy precludes lab use.
  • No more than 24 students can be in the Makerspace at any given time. The door may be closed or you may be asked to leave if this number is exceeded. Please respect these rules.
  • Makerspace is open during posted hours. Check for schedule changes during finals period and holidays or for class reservations. The hours are on our website and on the whiteboard outside the door. 
  • Demonstration of proficiency of select pieces of lab equipment precludes Makerspace use.
  • People, tools, and tables must be treated with respect. 
  • Horseplay, running, yelling and/or fighting is absolutely forbidden in the Makerspace.
  • You must sign in and sign out every time you use the Makerspace.

All Makerspace patrons must be let into the space by Makerspace employees or Innovation Alley Staff. Patrons must be supervised while using the Makerspace. 

Proper Attire:

  • Closed toed shoes and pants are required when using the woodshop or power tools. 
  • Eye protection must be worn at all times when in the woodshop, using hammers, any power tool, or around others using power tools. This includes drills!
  • Remove rings, bracelets, necklaces, and tie back anything that may get snagged by a moving machine when operating power tools. 
  • Prescription glasses may be worn in place of safety glasses EXCEPT for when operating the CNC Router
  • Failure to wear eye protection may result in loss of Makerspace privileges.

Injury-Causing Accidents:

In the event of an injury‐causing accident, the following procedures must be followed:

  • Notify the Director immediately! Staff will follow established procedures.
  • All personal injury accidents require a meeting between the injured person and the Director before Makerspace privileges will resume. The purpose is to determine the cause of the accident for the prevention of future accidents.

Non-injury Accidents:

In the event of accidents resulting in machine damage, material "kick-backs," jamming, or other unsafe events, the following procedure must be followed:

  • A meeting is required between the person involved in the accident and the Director.

Cleaning of Lab Facilities:

  • Each student is personally responsible for cleanup and tool return.
  • Each machine and work area should be cleaned immediately after use.
  • The last person to use a machine is responsible for cleaning the machine and surrounding work area. Even if someone leaves the space dirty before you, you must still clean up after you are done. 
  • Each student is required to assist in a general clean up of the lab at the end of the day, or when deemed necessary by lab supervisory personnel.

Students failing in their cleanup responsibilities:

  • First offense: Warning.
  • Second offense: Loss of lab privilege for 1 week.
  • Third offense: Loss of lab privilege until meeting with the lab manager.

 

Running Prints, Laser Cutting, or Operating CNC Machine:

  • DO NOT TOUCH THE 3D PRINTERS!!!!!
  • .stl model files are required for 3D Printing! Do not slice your own file! Please read our equipment page if you are confused about the process. 
  • Users may NOT start their own 3D print without the express permission of a Makerspace employee. 
  • .dxf files are preferred for the laser cutter. Files must be provided/previewed before being run. You may be asked to re-make a file if it does not appear properly!
  • All CNC router files must be previewed by a Makerspace employee before they can be added to the router. 
  • Users who run their own .gcode without the authorization of a Makerspace employee accept the cost of any and all processes, including but not limited to: wasted material, replacement tooling, and the cost to repair the machine. They may also be banned from usage of the Makerspace.

Machine Rules:

  • Make sure machines are in the “off” position and motion has stopped, before leaving them. Never try to touch a machine before it has come to a complete stop. 
  • All safety guards must be kept in place while operating equipment. If a guard or safety device is an impediment to safe operation of a machine, seek help.
  • Use equipment for its intended use. If in doubt, ask for help.
  • No one should use equipment until they have received proper and safe instruction and feel comfortable with its operation.
  • If you have made an adjustment on a piece of equipment, return it to its normal position after you are done.
  • Do not use broken or damaged equipment; report immediately to the Director. This includes dull or chipped blades.
  • Do not attempt repairs to any equipment that is broken. Notify the Director or student assistants for help.
  • Make sure machine's work surface is unobstructed and clean before use.
  • Always keep your eyes on your fingers, listen to the sound of the machine and nose keen to the smell of smoke.
  • Never talk to someone operating a machine.
  • Operator should never talk to someone while operating a machine.
  • Only one person may operate a machine at a time. 
  • Clean up your mess! Wipe up all spilled liquids. Pick up your materials. Put away tools. Sweep up any loose debris.
  • Return all tools to their proper storage place after using.
  • Ask the Director for approval before storing materials or projects in lab.
  • Do not use plaster or any cement based material on any power machines.
  • Headphones playing music are prohibited in the lab while operating power tools. Hearing protection, however, is encouraged but not strictly required. 
  • If you are going to be using materials that will affect others around you (strong smelling materials, things that will create a lot of debris), please inform those around you as well as the Director or student assistants to approve the use of materials.
  • These rules are meant to protect you from injury; please obey them.

Miscellaneous:

  • Items made in the Makerspace must be designed to be manufactured and operate safely. If they are deemed to be unsafe, they must be redesigned to continue to be built in the Makerspace. 
  • All creations in the Makerspace are expected to be original creations or respect the tenants of Fair Use doctrine. 
  • There are no standard processes for protecting Makerspace users' IP (intellectual property). If a user is concerned about the security of their design (e.g. an .stl file on a flash drive), please talk to a Makerspace employee.
  • We cannot help you with anything that is considered "classified" or will break an "NDA" due to the nature of the Makerspace, our queue manager system, and the university's network requirements. If you have questions, please speak with the Director.
  • Do not enter the Makerspace while under the influence of mind‐altering drugs or alcohol.
  • A safe attitude will protect you and others. Think, practice, and develop safe working habits.
  • Respect the rights and property of other students. Be thoughtful and helpful towards others in the Makerpsace.

 

E-Signature this document:

I acknowledge by my signature below that I have read and understood the above policy. I agree to abide by all safety rules, procedures, and best-practices for working in the lab. I acknowledge that if I break these rules, I may be asked to leave the Makerspace and will do so in an orderly manner.