Our FabLab Policies
Be excellent to each other
3D PRINTING POLICIES
General Use:
Our 3D printers are here for your educational and personal projects. Please note that we don’t allow commercial use, so manufacturing or mass production of items isn’t permitted.
We offer personal printing, but it’s limited to 8 hours of queued print time per day. If you have a longer project for academic purposes, please visit or contact the FabLab.
Academic projects will be printed before personal projects.
Please note that personal printing isn’t available during finals week to ensure everyone can complete their academic work.
Materials:
We primarily use PLA as our standard material, but if your project requires something different, we’re happy to help! Other materials, including those for SLS and SLA printers, are available for academic projects—just visit or contact the FabLab.
Since availability can vary, colors might change, so please keep that in mind when planning your prints.
For larger projects, we ask that you provide your own filament. Please visit or contact the FabLab to discuss your project needs.
Not every project is suitable for 3D printing, so don’t hesitate to ask if you’re unsure.
Print Submission and Handling:
Most prints are queued remotely via 3DPrinterOS. If there’s an issue with your file submission, we’ll send you a cancellation email explaining the problem and how to resolve it. If you need further assistance please visit the FabLab to discuss the issue with our staff.
We recommend a 0.3mm layer height for prototypes to keep things efficient. If you need finer details, lower layer heights are available but keep in mind they’ll increase print time.
An infill of 10% usually works best for most projects.
Please only handle your own prints. Removing supports and cleaning up your model is a great learning experience, but we’re here to help if you need it.
When you’re done, please return all tools used for removing supports or cleaning prints to their proper place. If you’re unsure where something goes, just ask a staff member—we’re here to help!
Maintenance and Cleanliness:
We all share this space, so let’s keep it clean together! Dispose of PLA scraps in the blue bin near the printers.
If you’re using glue, please use the designated white gluing mat to keep surfaces clean.
If you encounter any issues with a printer, such as a filament running out or a print problem, let our staff know. We’ll handle it for you—no need to troubleshoot on your own.
We’ll also take care of removing prints from the printers and placing them in the pick-up area for you. Print pickup is organized by your FSUID and can be found either at the front desk or in the FabLab, depending on when your print finishes.
Project Planning:
3D printing is an iterative process, and it often requires multiple attempts to get things just right. Remember, failure is part of the learning process, so plan ahead and give yourself extra time to experiment and refine your project.
Workshops and Learning Opportunities:
Interested in learning more about 3D printing? We offer workshops, tutorials, and resources to help you get the most out of the fablab. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, we’re here to support your learning journey. Visit our events page and explore our website.
LASER CUTTING
Reservation and Availability:
The laser cutter is available by reservation only. Use the online calendar to book your time slot.
You must arrive on time for your reservation. If you are more than 15 minutes late, your reservation may be forfeited.
The laser cutter is primarily for academic projects. Personal projects are permitted but may be subject to time restrictions, especially during peak periods such as finals week.
No commercial or mass production of items is allowed.
Supervision and Safety:
You must remain in the FabLab while the laser cutter is operating. Leaving the laser cutter running unsupervised is a serious fire hazard.
Ensure the exhaust fan and compressor pump are running whenever the laser is cutting or etching. These systems are essential for safe and effective operation.
Avoid looking directly at the laser beam to protect your eyes.
A fire extinguisher is available next to the machine. If you have any concerns about material igniting, please alert the staff immediately.
Material Guidelines:
Only approved materials may be used with the laser cutter. Consult with FabLab staff if you are unsure about a material.
The laser cutter can process wood, acrylic, EVA foam, rubber, and some plastics.
The following materials cannot be cut or etched with our laser cutter:
Metal
PVC
Synthetic leathers(also PVC)
Polycarbonate (Lexan)
Pressure-treated woods
PETG
Polypropylene
HDPE
Maximum material dimensions are 24" x 12" x 7” with a cutting thickness of up to 1/4".
Users are encouraged to use available material scraps, but larger projects may require bringing your own materials.
File Preparation:
Files must be prepared in vector format with cut lines set to a stroke width of 0.001pt.
We use Adobe Illustrator to send vector files to the Epilog job manager. Any vector lines set to a stroke width of 0.001pt will be recognized as cuts. Any other vector or raster information will be interpreted as etching.
Other programs can be used to prepare your projects, but they may require additional steps in Adobe Illustrator before sending them to the laser.
Ensure files are submitted in the correct format and follow all guidelines for cutting and etching.
Job Completion and Cleanup:
After your job is completed, clean the laser cutter bed and surrounding area. Dispose of material scraps properly or take them with you.
All tools and equipment must be returned to their designated locations. If you are unsure where something belongs, ask a staff member.
Emergency Procedures:
In case of a fire or other emergency, immediately stop the laser cutter, use the fire extinguisher if needed, and alert FabLab staff.
VINYL CUTTING
Reservation and Availability:
The vinyl plotter is available by reservation only. Use the online calendar to book your time slot.
You must arrive on time for your reservation. If you are more than 15 minutes late, your reservation may be forfeited.
Supervision and Safety:
Users must remain in the FabLab while their vinyl job is being processed. Leaving the plotter unsupervised can lead to job errors or damage to the machine.
Ensure the plotter is operating properly, and notify FabLab staff immediately if any issues arise during your job.
Do not attempt to adjust or troubleshoot the machine without staff assistance.
Material usage Guidelines:
Only approved vinyl and compatible materials may be used on the plotter. Ask staff for guidance if you are uncertain about your material.
The FabLab provides some basic vinyl colors(garnet, gold, black, white)
The Fablab has transfer tape, squeegees, cutting blades and mats for use in the lab.
Large jobs using more than 3 feet of vinyl require users to provide their own material.
The vinyl plotter is primarily for academic and educational projects. Personal use is permitted but may be restricted during peak academic periods.
No commercial or mass production of items is allowed on the vinyl plotter.
We do not provide any Heat Transfer vinyl for fabric but do have a heat press available for use.
Maximum material width for the plotter is 24 inches.
Materials should be free from creases, folds, or damage that could interfere with the plotter’s performance.
File Preparation:
Files must be prepared in vector format and submitted in formats such as .ai, .svg, or .eps. Adobe Illustrator is the recommended software for file preparation.
Make sure your file is properly formatted with the desired cut lines clearly defined before sending it to the plotter.
Test the design on a smaller scale if you are unsure about the outcome.
For HTV designs to adhere to fabrics, you may need to mirror your design prior to cutting
You may need to create outlines if you download a custom font from your own machine.
Job setup:
Ensure that the vinyl is properly loaded into the plotter and wheels are aligned within the blue areas.
FabLab staff can assist if you are unfamiliar with the process.Double-check all settings (cutting pressure, speed, etc.) before starting your job to avoid damaging the vinyl or plotter.
Stay by the machine throughout your job to monitor progress and prevent potential issues like material shifting.
Clean up:
After your job is complete, remove any excess vinyl and dispose of scraps properly.
Clean the work area and return any borrowed tools or equipment to their designated locations.
ELECTRONICS
We have a electronics workstation inside the FabLab. It includes a soldering station, solder vacuum, Fume extractor, and many misc electronic components.