Difference between revisions of "Kit wishlist"

Revision as of 01:12, 8 December 2011

A list of things people would like to see in Makespace. We can't guarantee when or if we'll get any of this kit, but if there's something you'd like, let us know here.

If an item below can be fabricated safely using existing kit, then it should be built, not bought!

The FabLab kit

Briefly:

Fab Labs share core capabilities, so that people and projects can be shared across them. This currently includes: 1. A computer-controlled lasercutter, for press-fit assembly of 3D structures from 2D parts 2. A larger (4'x8') numerically-controlled milling machine, for making furniture- (and house-) sized parts 3. A vinylcutter, to produce signs, printing masks, flexible circuits, and antennas 4. A precision (micron resolution) milling machine to make three-dimensional moulds and surface-mounted circuit boards 5. Electronics assembly 6. Programming tools for low-cost high-speed embedded processors 7. Sewing and embroidery equipment 8. You can read more about how Fab Labs started by following this link. www.cba.mit.edu. There is also a wealth of know how on Fab Lab equipment and projects.

A la Manchester:

• Dimension 1200es Series 3D Printer
• Epilog Mini 24 Laser Cutter
• Roland Modela MDX-20 Desktop Miller
• Roland Vinyl Cutter
• Shopbot CNC Router
• Janome Memory Craft 200e Embroidery Machine
• 'Fab Vac' Vac former

Woodwork/metalwork

• Aluminium forming (because local providers aren't very good)
• A big sturdy workbench with a vice
• Hacksaws and files
• A mini drilling/milling machine, for example http://www.chesteruk.net/store/conquest_mill.htm for making PCBs and light wood and metal work.

• a small manual lathe eg

http://www.chesteruk.net/store/conquest_lathe.htm plus lathe tools and a bench grinder to sharpen them.

• Any decent bench drillpress, with drills, holding vice, etc.

a CNC mill conversion just like http://www.jarkman.co.uk/catalog/cnc/taigcnc.htm  Good for PCBs and a lot else. Plus cutters and workholding bits. It will need its own PC, too.  Also see http://www.jarkman.co.uk/catalog/cnc/

• A bandsaw that will run horizontal or vertical (but mostly horizontal, for chopping the ends off bars) eg http://www.chesteruk.net/store/hv128_bandsaw.htm

Electronics/PCB tools

• Temperature-controlled soldering station(s)
• Toaster oven (for reflow soldering)
• Fume extractor(s) for above
• Bench power supplies (e.g. a mix of 5V, 12V, variable, and multi-rail PSUs)
• PCB holders or "helping hands"
• Side cutters
• Abrasive pen
• Heatsink tweezers

NB. PCB etching baths and etch-resist are probably unnecessary because the milling machines would allow PCBs to be milled instead of etched.

3D printing

• This is the 3d printer from Portishead: http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/
• http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2011/08/ultimaker-theres-a-new-3d-printer-in-town.html

Flameworking

If we want to be able to make borosilicate glass components at Makespace, we'll need at least the following:

• MAPP gas torch
• MAPP gas for torch
• Torch holder with metal or ceramic heatproof bench plate for rolling
• Shears
• Carbon paddle

AV kit

What about providing Audio Visual equipment for creating audio-visual experiences, interactive or not. This can be combined with workshops in animation, film-making, special effects, synthesisers, computer graphics, etc.

Equipment might include: a projector screen (or white wall), a relatively good quality, high-resolution digital projector, amplifier, speakers (with good subwoofer.) Also software for animation, computer graphics, audio synthesis, video editing. Sensors for interactive experience: camera, motion sensors.

One idea is to teach 3D modelling of a character which can be part of a game/video, and also be printed on the 3D printer.

Software tools

LabVIEW

Gimp - www.gimp.org/

Blender - www.blender.org/download/get-blender/

Open office - download.openoffice.org/

Inkscape - www.inkscape.org

Google Sketch up - sketchup.google.com/ with stl plugin

This plugin seems to work quite well www.guitar-list.com/download-software/convert-sketchup-skp-files-dxf-or-stl

However this program repairs any incomplete stl files www.netfabb.com/

Or this program http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/

Adobe - www.adobe.com/uk/

Qcad - www.qcad.org/qcad.html

Eagle - www.cadsoftusa.com/freeware.htm

MIT Software - http://fab.cba.mit.edu/content/tools/software/cad_cam/

Materials lists

Laser Cutter materials

Max Size 300mmx600mm

• Acrylic 3mm - Clear 300mm x 600mm
• Acrylic 3mm - Various colours 300mm x 600mm
• Acrylic 6mm - Clear 300mm x 600mm
• Plywood 3mm Various Sizes
• MDF 3mm (Laserable) Various Sizes
• Cardboard 3mm 300mm x 600mm
• Cardboard 5mm 300mm x 600mm
• Paper 300mm x 600mm
• Leather
• Fabric

Modella Milling Machine materials

Max Size 150x200mm

• Machineable wax 40mm x 90mm x 150mm
• Circuit boards 1.6mm x 1000mm x 1200mm
• Wood (Various) 150x200mm

Shopbot CNC Router materials

Max Size 1200mmx 2400mm x 120mm

• Plywood 3-25mm thick
• MDF 3-25mm thick
• Aluminium
• Cast Iron
• Acrylic
• Brass
• Steel
• Foam

Vinyl Cutter materials

• Copper Tape 3M 1126 150mm x 33m
• Vinyl roll (canary yellow) 380mm wide
• Vinyl roll (card red) 380mm wide
• Vinyl roll (royal blue) 380mm wide
• Vinyl roll (cactus green) 380mm wide
• Transfer Tape, Permacel 595B 150mmx 55m
• WHITE Epoxy film 3M 1 150mm x 90m

3D Printer materials

Currently the raw material costs are quite high. Therefore...

• ABS plus cartridge (white) 1000 cm3
• soluble support cartridge 1000 cm3

Additional electronics/PCB materials

• Flux-cored solder

Useful reference lists

IEEE Spectrum: http://spectrum.ieee.org/geek-life/hands-on/diy-essentials/0

Full fab lab list: http://fab.cba.mit.edu/about/fab/inv.html

workshop in a container: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AsejLtLc70nwdG5DeVJmOVA4OUxpcXl6alFaNzh5Unc&hl=en_US#gid=0