Documentation:SBME-Teaching-Labs
Welcome to the SBME Teaching Labs Wiki! Here you will find important information for SBME Undergraduate Design Courses, including details about our teaching labs, available in-house and external prototyping resources, ordering and reimbursement, and 3D printer booking systems.
Prototyping Resources
The SBME Makerspace
The SBME Makerspace is a prototyping space available to SBME students registered in undergraduate design courses. The SBME Makerspace is currently located in WESB 315 and 317, on the third floor of the Wesbrook Building. There are a wide variety of additive and subtractive prototyping tools available to students in the Makerspace, as well as basic electronic components and testing equipment (power supplies, oscilloscopes, soldering tools).
Training and Access
All SBME undergraduate students enrolled in a design course (BMEG 257, 357, and 457) are allowed to access the Makerspace. All users of the Makerspace must complete an in-person safety orientation before being able to use the space. For those enrolled in 257 and 357, Makerspace access is only permitted during designated course studio times and Makerspace Open Hours. Capstone students are welcome to come during studio times and open hours, but also have the opportunity to get card access and use the space during off-hours (non-studio times). To get off-hours access, students must complete a hands-on training course on power tools and off-hours safety procedures before being granted card access. Due to department rules, only those actively enrolled in BMEG 457 will be permitted to take this training.
3D Printing
The Makerspace has the following 3D printers:
- Creality Ender 3 S1
- Monoprice Select Mini V2
- Anycubic i3 Mega
- Prusa MK3S+
- Anycubic Photon Mono X*
- Formlabs Form 3B+*
- Ultimaker S5*
*requires additional training/approval to use
For filament printing, we recommend downloading and using the Ultimaker Cura Slicer: https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura/
Protomax Waterjet Cutter
The Protomax Waterjet by OMAX is equipped with a 30,000-psi pump. The Protomax can cut metal, glass, plastic, wood, and more under 1 in. thick with a 12 in. by 12 in. cutting area. The OMAX Layout and OMAX Make software is installed on the Makerspace Waterjet laptop, ready to use.
Because of the high cost of maintaining and operating a waterjet cutter, there is a fee for use for design courses. Please ask your instructor/the lab manager for more information.
A comprehensive guide on how to operate the waterjet cutter can be found here (TODO: insert Kevin's guide).
Epilog Fusion Pro 36 Laser Cutter
The Epilog Fusion Pro 36 Laser cutter is an industrial machine capable of engraving, cutting, and marking. It has a maximum working area of 36” (X) x 24” (Y) x 9″ (Z) and is able to cut many materials including acrylic, delrin, fabric, fiberglass, and wood, and is able to engrave and mark most plastics, anodized metals, glass, fabric, paper, and wood. A full guide to the Epilog Fusion Pro's material compatibility can be found here: https://www.epiloglaser.com/en-ca/laser-machines/fusion-pro-laser-series/#Compatibility and as always, please check with the Makerspace Technician before cutting or engraving anything in the laser cutter.
Makerspace Workshop
The Makerspace Workshop (located in WESB 317) offers a variety of power and hand tools to work with wood, plastics, and aluminum. Please note that working with stainless steel with any of the Makerspace tools is NOT PERMITTED.
- 10" Rikon Bandsaw
- 10" Dewalt Mitre Saw
- Ryobi Disc and Belt Sanding Station
- Drill Press
- Spot Welder
- 12" Grizzly Benchtop Shears
- 12" Grizzly Pan and Finger Brake
- A variety of hand tools (wood and hacksaws, screwdrivers, pliers, cordless drills, Dremel tools, tap and die kit, wrenches, etc.)
Carbide 3D Nomad 3 CNC Desktop Mill
The Carbide 3D Nomad 3 CNC Desktop Mill is a CNC machine that is able to cut most wood and plastics, as well as aluminum, brass, and copper. The Nomad 3 has a cutting area of 8" (X) by 8" (Y) by 3" (Z), so it is ideal for smaller parts that require stronger material properties and high resolution. Any jobs for the Nomad 3 must be done with a TA that has been trained on the device and/or the Makerspace Technician.
Outsourcing Fabrication
If SBME does not have the resources you require to prototype your design, we have compiled a list of external resources to outsource your work. You will have to use your design course budget if you wish to use these facilities/services.
Sheet Metal, Waterjet, and Laser Cutting
PCB Fabrication
Capstone Purchasing and Reimbursements
There are two options to consider when ordering materials for your projects:
1) Have us do it for you!
We strongly prefer this method as it benefits many people in different ways:
- Your credit cards remain untouched - all of your purchases would feed directly from SBME funds;
- If we are able to lump your order with another group's order(s), we can reduce shipping energy/materials/labour, plus save on shipping fees;
- UBC gets educational discounts through select vendors that we would make available to you;
- Everything would be delivered to campus and we would reroute it back to you more easily, particularly if you are working on your projects in campus spaces;
- We have an additional paper trail to track group expenses if needed.
In most cases, this is the default method for ordering materials.
A materials procurement template can be found here. To use this form:
- Fill it out to the best of your ability
- Forward it to your faculty supervisor for approval via email.
- Forward the email with approval and the procurement form attached to jacqueline.kho@ubc.ca.
On our end:
- We will process all orders first thing every Monday and Thursday morning
- Forms submitted after Sunday or Wednesday at midnight will be ordered on the following order processing day (next Monday or Thursday)
- Your group has been/will be assigned a locker on the third floor of the Wesbrook building. When your order comes in, we will relocate your materials to your lockers (unless another location is agreed upon with your team and Jacqueline) and notify you via Teams/email that your order(s) have arrived.
2) Reimbursement
You may purchase items using your own funds and get reimbursed for it at a later time.
This route is meant for:
- small purchases;
- materials that are required on short notice; and
- cases where it is easier to physically go to a store and source materials out in person.
You still require a record of approval from your faculty supervisor. Please forward this and copies of any accompanying receipts to jacqueline.kho@ubc.ca once the purchase has been made. Costs will not be reimbursed if receipts/invoices are missing or costs are not reported.
To get reimbursed, you can claim your expenses by filling out the form and following the steps outlined here. We strongly recommend submitting in batches, and ideally in one big batch at the end of the term. Please note that reimbursements are typically returned in a few weeks' time. If this timeframe is a concern, please get in touch with jacqueline.kho@ubc.ca to discuss alternative options.
Preferred Vendors
When purchasing items, take a look first at the following vendors, as we often order from these sources (which means sometimes educational discounts, and also a higher likelihood of free shipping!)
Electronic Components
Mechanical Components
Chemical and Biological Reagents
SBME Purchasing also has Amazon Prime, so you can source materials from Amazon for quick/free shipping.
Teaching Labs Booking
The Makerspace
The Makerspace (WESB 315/317) does not require booking for SBME design course students (BMEG 257/357/457). However, studio times are reserved for the respective course's students, and those who have not completed and signed off on the capstone after-hours training are not allowed to access the space outside of their own studio times and designated open hours.
Before coming to the space, please check the Makerspace Google Calendar to ensure it is available for you to come in.
WESB 356
Capstone groups who have been approved to use the WESB 356 chemistry lab can book time to use the space under supervision of a TA using the WESB 356 Chem Lab Capstone Booking page. Prior to booking, groups must have arranged for a wet lab TA to supervise them, and the TA must be noted in the booking form.
NOTE: the capacity limit for the WESB 356 lab is 2 students + 1 TA (3 total) so please plan with your group accordingly.
Safety Resources
First Aid
In the case of minor injuries: UBC First Aid is available 24/7 at 604-822-4444.
In the case of medical emergency or serious injury: Call 911, then call UBC First Aid.
Injuries, Accidents, and Near-Misses must all be reported to UBC CAIRS. Please ask your TA/lab manager for more information on reporting.
UBC Campus Security: 604-822-2222