Did You Know? The Maker Hub is for Everyone
Whether you’re a freshman or a seasoned senior, it’s easy to miss out on certain campus resources, and the Maker Hub, if you’re not an engineering student, is probably one of them. I’m here to remedy that for you. In this blog, I’ll show how you, a George Fox student of any major, can gain access to the Maker Hub and its wide variety of tools.
The Maker Hub is the College of Engineering’s main space, and it contains everything an engineering student needs to complete classwork and personal projects. However, access to the Hub is not restricted to engineers. Any student can complete the quizzes and training necessary to use any machine in the space.
Why would you want to get into the Maker Hub? That’s simple. There’s far more in the space than laser cutters, welders, and soldering irons. It contains a variety of tools and machines many students would be eager to use. It has a printer for shirt designs, a press for mugs, a jewelry station, and even 3D printers.
Read on to learn about the different machines you might be interested in. I’ve included a link for each to the Maker Hub wiki page where you can find more information and the certification quiz for the machine.
Getting Access
The first step in using Maker Hub resources is getting through the door. You can access the facility through the door next to the Makers Market in the Klages Center. The door requires a card swipe, like your dorms, but without being given access, it won’t unlock.
To gain access, enroll in the Maker Hub Introduction Canvas course. After that, you will need to sign the Maker Hub Waiver and pass the Access Quiz on Canvas. After you sign the waiver, you will need to take a 33-question access quiz. The Getting Started wiki page should have all the information required to pass the access quiz.
Quiz Tips
Something to note for these quizzes: There is not a limit on the number of tries you have to pass. You can take them as many times as you want. The only passing score is 100% and, if you want to continue to be certified for multiple years, you will have to retake the quizzes after each summer.
For every machine you want to use, one or more quizzes may be required. Each machine has its own quiz and some rooms, such as the Prototype Lab, require passing grades on their own quizzes to access.
If you run into issues with the quizzes, try asking any engineering student for help (they have to retake these every year), or ask a volunteer in the maker space for assistance. In addition, the information you need to pass the certification should all be on the Maker Hub wiki.
Something to note is that simply doing the quiz will not give you immediate certification on the machine you want to use. To have open access to that tool, you will need to schedule a meeting with a staff member and make a physical demonstration of your knowledge before you can access the machine at any time.
‘The Three Commandments’
This is covered in the quiz and the wiki, but, before thinking about using the Maker Hub, you should know “The Three Commandments.” They are a code of conduct that any person in the space should follow if they want to continue using the Hub’s resources and materials.
The Commandments are:
- Safety First
- Reset the Space
- Be Professional
(In-depth explanations of each Commandment can be found here on the Maker Hub wiki).
Please be kind and courteous in the Maker Hub. These machines’ first purpose is student resources for class projects, and the Hub is a place that facilitates student creativity and education.
While you are encouraged to work on personal projects, the purpose of the space is not to assist you in producing a large quantity of items. Lengthy and repetitive tasks lock down a specific machine for long periods of time, and other students may need that tool for school work or their own projects. Maker Hub resources are for the use of all students qualified in their use.
Materials
As you plan your projects, you will need materials, and the Maker Hub has policies in place regarding what materials are provided and what you need to source.
The Hub provides a limited selection of low-cost materials and consumables to the student body. These include wood, 3D printer filament, and acrylic sheets. However, there are two scenarios where you are expected to procure your own materials.
The first is if you need a large amount of any material to complete a project. So, don’t try to build a shed or a boat in the Maker Hub. Quoting from the Maker Hub wiki, “The term ‘large quantity’ also applies to expensive materials such as a full sheet of plywood, which can cost well over $100, depending on the quality. Sure, some projects legitimately need a large quantity of materials. Just ask the Maker Hub staff about it first. Maybe we’ll give you the green light; maybe we'll ask you to cover the cost. We monitor our inventory carefully and want there to be enough materials available for everyone to enjoy, so please don't abuse this privilege.”
The second reason you would need to acquire your own materials is if you need something that isn’t stocked. Those in the Hub suggest you consult them about your project so they can assist you with where to purchase your materials or what specifically you need. They might be able to save you a big headache.
The Machines
Here’s some links to useful machines that you might find interesting. Included on the wiki page for each machine is a link to the certification quiz. The quiz is generally near the bottom of the page and sends you to the corresponding Canvas quiz.
The Hub (no additional quiz required to enter)
Sublimation Printer (for printing designs on fabric)
Prototype Lab (additional quiz required to enter)
Laser Cutter and Laser Engraver
The Vault (additional quiz required to enter
Full List of Equipment Available
With that, you should be well-briefed on the Maker Hub, what it has available to you, and how you can gain access to it. However, this is not an exhaustive overview of the Hub. Not everything offered or provided is detailed here. Go to the Maker Hub wiki for the full description of Maker Hub resources, as well as processes written and explained by engineers who have a more in-depth understanding than me. But, hopefully, you now have an idea of where to go from here and the resources to assist you in gaining access and letting your creativity run wild.
Contact
To schedule a training session, there should be a student “ace” on that machine’s page on the wiki. If no one is listed, email makerhub@georgefox.edu. They will assist you.
For further information or assistance, contact Justin Johnson, senior engineering technician, at justinj@georgefox.edu or Nick Sullivan, Maker Hub manager, at nsullivan@georgefox.edu.
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