Photo by Zuzana Fudala, Staff Writer
By Zuzana Fudala, Staff Writer
Technology has come a long way, from our primitive ancestors making the first precursor tools, to the present where we have machines to help us make things, technology has advanced greatly.
Recently, we have seen the rise of affordable 3D printing to the public and it has since gained popularity with all the things one can create. While it can still be pretty pricey, there have been some community outlets that provide patrons the opportunity to 3D print their ideas; one outlet is located right here at Moraine Valley Community College.
The Student Maker Studio lab, or SMS, offers students, faculty, and community members access to 3D printers, laser engraving, and CriCut – which can be used to make things like stickers, vinyl decals, and paper crafts – and recently a button maker! Located in the Library in the L building, room L235, the Student Maker Studio is a small designated space for anyone to make almost what they want. “If you can think of it, you can make it.” states Klaudia Walkosz, an employee and assistant at the studio.
If you attended Fall Fest earlier this semester and stopped by the library’s table, you had the opportunity to enter a raffle to win one of three prizes created by the Student Maker Studio. This writer ended up entering, and while I had hoped to win the supercool holographic dragon bookend, I ended up winning a bright blue articulating dragon which is still cool.
The Student Maker Studio originally started as a grant-funded project as something new for people to interact with, and has since become part of the library’s budget. There have been many students that have already made 3D printed items at the lab, such as cosplay props. Plenty other items such as mini Dungeons and Dragons figures, fidget toys, a retractable sword, and small picture frames have been made as well, with some on display in the studio. Some items can take minutes to make while others can take days, so keep that in mind when you’re thinking about what to create. While we’re on the subject of what you should make, it’s best to avoid making things that can be a sanitary issue. 3D printed items can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so it’s best to avoid making something that can increase that chance, like a cup for example.
The best part is that the studio is free! No charge for supplies or to use any machines and tools. No class enrollment required either. However, supervision is necessary when using the studio, and certain machines such as the laser engraver and 3D printers can only be handled by staff. Regardless, it’s still cool to have something like the Student Maker Studio available for students, faculty, and the community alike.
If you haven’t checked out the Student Maker Studio yet, then you definitely should. The studio’s open hours are from 9:30-11:30 am, all other times require an appointment; appointments are preferred especially for complex projects. Anyone interested should bring files or a rough sketch of what they want made. The studio does not design items, but will assist with projects. If you are interested in 3D printing, something you can use is computer-aided design (CAD) programs such as Autodesk Fusion or Autodesk Inventor to create your idea. If you do not have any of these programs then try Tinkercad, a free beginner online website to create your designs. If you’re having trouble or are confused as to how these programs work, the studio can help show you how to use them. The laser engraver is currently unavailable for use, but will return at an undisclosed time.
To make an appointment for SMS, click the link here or access the Library though the MV Connect homepage. You’ll be able to choose your time and date, what machine you want to use, and who you want your lab consultant to be. After that click continue, fill out your details like name and email and click confirm appointment.
Now that you have the inside scoop on the Student Maker Studio, it’s time to let your creativity flow! Schedule an appointment or maybe spend the winter break designing what you want to make. I know I will; I already have some ideas on what I want to make.
All photos by Zuzana Fudala, Staff Writer and Photographer
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