Digital
The Ultimaker S5 is a Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printer. Designing for 3D Printing requires proficiency in 3D Computer Aided Design software. PLA, Tough PLA, Nylon, ABS, CPE, CPE+, PC, TPU 95A, PP, PVA and Breakaway are able to be used on these printers. Not all materials are stocked. We utilize MakerFleet, a web-based CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) and print management service, to handle file submission, slicing and print monitoring.
The Markforged X7 offers the ability to print Onyx with Fiberglass, HSHT Fiberglass (high-strength, high-temp fiberglass), Carbon Fiber and Kevlar reinforcement. Laser inspection scans parts mid-print to ensure dimensional accuracy for the most critical tolerances.
The Form 3 from Formlabs is a high-end Stereolithographic (SLA) printer that uses a laser to zap liquid resin into solid form. It's a sophisticated printer that can produce excellent quality prints with little maintenance or tweaking.
A laser cutter is a cutting device which focuses a high energy laser beam onto material resulting in a high quality and dimensionally accurate cut. These devices can cut, engrave or etch various materials. Laser cutters are fully enclosed systems that prevent laser operation unless the safety interlocked doors are fully closed.
The ILS 12.75 CO2 laser platform model includes 75 watts of laser power, and a 24″ x 48″ work-space with 12″ of Z-axis clearance for laser etching, engraving, and cutting.
A laser cutter is a cutting device which focuses a high energy laser beam onto material resulting in a high quality and dimensionally accurate cut. These devices can cut, engrave or etch various materials. Laser cutters are fully enclosed systems that prevent laser operation unless the safety interlocked doors are fully closed.
The PLS 6.75 CO2 laser platform model includes 75 watts of laser power, and a 18″ x 32″ work-space with 9″ of Z-axis clearance for laser etching, engraving, and cutting.
The ProtoMax Water Jet is a compact waterjet capable of cutting virtually any material by shooting a stream of water mixed with abrasive. Typically, it is used to cut metals, however plastics or ceramics can be cut as well. Waterjets are great for cutting sheets of material from a drawing. Another benefit of waterjets is that it can cut materials that are sensitive to high temperatures.
CNC
The Thermwood M45-510 fixed table moving gantry CNC router is primarily designed to machine low profile materials such as hardwoods, softwoods, fiberboard (MDF), particleboard, plastics and aluminum.
Milling is a cutting process that uses a milling cutter to remove material from the surface of a workpiece. The milling cutter is a rotary cutting tool, often with multiple cutting points. The milling process removes material by performing many separate, small cuts. The Tormach Milling Machine is designed to provide industrial capabilities in a small space.
Shop
Panel saws are used to cut large sheet materials into smaller rectangular sections and pieces, often as part of an initial sizing process. Panel saws are most commonly used with plywood and wood composites such as medium density fiberboard (MDF) and particle board. Unlike a table saw where the work piece is moved past the cutting blade, with a panel saw the operator moves the circular saw across the workpiece with the workpiece fixed in place.
The table saw is often called the most important tool in a woodworking shop due to its versatility, but that also means it has a higher safety risk than other machines. A table saw is used to rip (cut with the grain), to crosscut (cut against the grain) and to perform more advanced operations through the use of jigs and fixtures.
A miter saw is used primarily to crosscut various pieces of wood, composites, and in some cases aluminum. The large saw blade is capable of cutting large and small timbers in one easy motion, perfectly at 90 degrees. The saw can also be angled up to 45 degrees in either direction to accomplish mitered cuts.
In a makerspace the bandsaw lends itself to be a very commonly used machine. It’s variety of blades and large cutting capacity makes it excellent for cutting a wide array of materials, including wood, composites, foam, plastics, and some metal. A bandsaw is primarily used for cutting straight lines, both ripping and crosscutting, and secondly used for cutting curves and arcs, as well as advanced techniques using additional jigs and fixtures.
A drill press is used to produce round holes in a variety of materials. Although the majority of drill press tooling consists of various types of drill bits, specialty tooling is available for countersinking and large hole sawing.
Stationary belt and disc sanders utilize abrasive coated cloth or reinforced paper to remove material from work pieces. The belt and disc are the machining surfaces where the abrasive coated belt moves in a downward direction towards the work table. Always note the direction of rotation of the abrasive disc as you only want to put work pieces in contact with the disc on the downward motion side.
The spindle sander is made for sanding inside curves. The sanding drum rotates, while moving up and down, in order to spread out wear on the sandpaper. Different diameter drums can be installed to best fit the workpiece.
Textiles
The Juki DDL-5550 is the most popular industrial and commercial sewing machine on the market today and it’s easy to see why. With its low vibration and low noise feature, the machine head provides the operator with a comfortable and easy work environment. Not only is it easy and quiet to use but it also works for a broad variety of materials from denim, upholstery, leather/suede, and even fur or reptile skin.
The Roland CAMM-1 GS-24 24" Desktop Vinyl Cutter is made for cutting intricate designs from a wide range of materials quickly and accurately.
Fine Arts
With advanced media handling options from cut sheet to roll, from plain papers to photographic, fine art, and even 1.5 mm thick poster boards, the Epson SureColor P-Series Printer continues to redefine the state of the art in wide format photographic imaging applications.