Introducing: “hardware hobbyist” Austin Neff. This electronics whiz kid is a crucial member at Idea Fab Labs, as he heads up the Electronics Zone. With experience in everything from robotics to LED lighting to audio processing and micro controllers, Austin is “all over the board” when it comes to his work at IFL. By day, he’s…
Question: Do you have a crush on brass bracelets only to discover that the retail price is beyond your budget? Answer: DIY. The Maker Movement in Santa Cruz is thriving and our Jewelry Zone offers an exciting environment for creating your own baubles. From texturizing and forming metal bracelets to stone setting and everything in between,…
Brief Explanation: The laser cutter and engraver uses a drawing program to tell it what to do. A CO2 laser can cut and engrave wood, leather, some plastics, cotton, paper, even bread! It’s not strong enough to cut glass or metal, though it can etch glass and coatings on metal such as anodization or paint.
How it works: It uses a focused beam of light to burn through wood or other materials. It can cut all the way through or just engrave the surface. It is good at very detailed cuts and engravings.
What it makes: It is used to make engravings of images, signs, boxes, sculptures and more. A CO2 laser can cut and engrave wood, leather, some plastics, cotton, and paper!
Redsail 1290 Laser cutting & engraving machine
GWEIKE LC1390 Laser cutting & engraving machine
Brief Explanation: The 3D printer builds objects by “printing” out one layer at a time, using a 3D model as a guide.
How it works: It is essentially a tiny hot glue gun, that squeezes out melted plastic and draws a single layer of an object, then moves up a tiny bit, and draws the second layer on top of the first layer, and on and on.
What it makes: Mostly small plastic items such as toys, containers, replacements parts, and more.
2 x Prusa i3 Mk3
3D Systems Sense 3D Scanner
Brief Explanation: The ShopBot is a computer controlled router that can cut or carve wood. It can cut up to a 4ft by 14ft piece of wood. We can use a drawing program, or we can send it a 3D model in order to tell it what to do.
How it works: It uses stepper motors to move the router through the x, y, and z axis system. A router is like a drill bit, but it is designed to move sideways through wood as well as up and down.
What it makes: It can be used to make furniture: chairs tables, desks, kitchen cabinets. Also large signs, 3D carvings, and more.
