Fidget spinners are suddenly all the rage in the Innovation Center.
So far folks have 3D printed them on the Ultimakers, laser cut them out of acrylic on the new laser, and just today cut some out of HDPE plastic on the Carvey.
Easel (the software the runs the Carvey) even has a spinner add-on that enables easy design and tweaking.
I see a big old bag of bearings in our future!
The laser was installed yesterday, and while makerspaces are more about culture, community, and possibilities than they are about machines, this thing sure is a sweet machine. 🙂
Following the install and orientation, we spent the better part of the day cutting, engraving and scoring wood, paper, and acrylic. Once we got the hang of it, CJ (student) and I decided to push the machine with a test cut through 3/4″ pine.
Ryan and Rick (foreground above) assure me that this much flaring is normal, especially with material this thick (and without air assist, which we’ll probably be adding as funding permits).
After much hemming and hawing, institutional and otherwise, and surprisingly much electrical work:
our first laser cutter – a Universal PLS6.150D with two 60 watt tubes – has arrived. It’s sitting down in Receiving, awaiting an install next week!
There are a lot of pent up projects just waiting for its radiation, so we’re excited to get it up and running and get some things cut and engraved.