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.
Please read through all sections of this wiki. They will answer many of your questions and provide valuable information on different equipment, skills, and techniques which may help you design and build your project's prototype.
The Jim McEwen Zone for Innovators, Creators and Entrepreneurs ("SBME Makerspace")
The Jim McEwen Zone for Innovators, Creators and Entrepreneurs, or SBME Makerspace, is a prototyping space available to SBME students registered in undergraduate design courses. The SBME Makerspace is currently located in SBME 1009 and 1011, on the first floor of the School of Biomedical Engineering (Gordon B. Shrum 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
To get a more detailed breakdown of the training, its requirements, and how levels of access work, please see the Makerspace Training Page.
All SBME undergraduate students enrolled in a design course (BMEG 257, 357, and 457) are allowed to access the The Jim McEwen Zone for Innovators, Creators and Entrepreneurs 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. Open and off-hour hour access is restricted during other courses' studio times. Please be aware that at least 2 students with up to date access must be present during off-hour access of the Makerspace.
If you would like to review the rules, regulations and policies of the Makerspace, you can find them here .
Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Brief Safe Operating Procedures for all tools in the space can be found in the page linked here.
3D Printing
The The Jim McEwen Zone for Innovators, Creators and Entrepreneurs Makerspace has a variety of 3D printers available for students to use. You can check out the 3D Printing Page for more information about the printer specifications, as well how book and use the printers! If you would like to use a printer, please book using our booking system.
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. Because of the high cost of maintaining and operating a waterjet cutter, there is a fee for use for design courses. Use of the waterjet cutter requires special training. Please ask your instructor/the makerspace technician if you would like to use the waterjet cutter.
For more information please see the waterjet cutting page!
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.
For more information, check out the laser cutting page!
Makerspace Workshop
The The Jim McEwen Zone for Innovators, Creators and Entrepreneurs Makerspace Workshop (located in SBME 1011) 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 unless expressly identified is NOT PERMITTED.
- 10" Rikon Bandsaw
- 10" Dewalt Mitre Saw
- Ryobi Disc and Belt Sanding Station
- Drill Press
- Spot Welder
- Bench Grinder
- 12" Wood Lathe
- 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.)
For more information about the specific tools available in the workshop, please see the Workshop page.
Most if not all prototypes created in the makerspace will require some use of fasteners or adhesives of some kind. For a breakdown of some common options, please see the Fasteners Page.
Please be aware that regardless of the level of access, the following equipment is restricted and the Makerspace Technician must be consulted before use:
- Subtractive Makerspace
- Spot Welder
- Laser Cutter
- Waterjet Cutter
- Bench Grinder
- Desktop CNC
- Wood Lathe
- Additive Makerspace
- Ultimaker FDM Printer
- Formlabs 3B Resin Printer
- Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K Resin Printer
Soldering Station and Electronics
The SBME Makerspace has a variety of soldering and electronics equipment for student use. This includes solder, resin paste flux, soldering irons, arbitrary waveform generators, power supplies, and more. Please see the soldering and electronics page for more detail.
Sewing Station
The Makerspace has a Brother HC3010 Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine available for students, in addition to a stock of basic sewing supplies. Please speak to the Makerspace Technician before using the sewing machine.
Please see the sewing page for more details!
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. Please see here for a rundown of the steps needed to operate this CNC.
Please a walkthrough guide here.
Prototyping Machine Material Compatibility Summary
| Prototyping Resource / Tool | Compatible Materials | Materials to Consult Makerspace Tech Before Use | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band Saw | Wood | Plastics, Aluminum | |
| Mitre Saw | Wood | Plastics | |
| Belt Sander | Wood, Plastics | Metals | |
| Drill Press | Wood, Plastics, Aluminum and Soft Metals | Ferrous Metals | |
| Waterjet Cutter | Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Mild Steel, Granite, Marble White, Acrylic, Glass, Carbon Fiber, Foam | ||
| Laser Cutter | Cutting:
|
Engraving:
|
|
| Pan Brake | Sheet Metals | ||
| Pan Shear | Sheet Metals | ||
| Spot Welder | Ferrous Metals (Iron, Steel, etc.) | Aluminum | |
| Desktop CNC | Wood, Aluminum, Plastics, Brass, Copper | ||
| Bench Grinder | Ferrous Metals (Iron, Steel, etc.) | ||
| Wood Lathe | Wood (up to 12" diamater) | ||
Makerspace Inventory and Resources
For a comprehensive list of all the tools, machines, and materials found in the makerspace, please check out our Resources page. On this page, you can also find links to some useful online tutorials and extra information!
Makerspace FAQ
Check out the FAQ page!
SHRM 2053 Biological/Chemical Lab
The SHRM Biological/Chemical Teaching Lab is located in the Gordon B Shrum Bldg, Room 2053. This is a teaching space used for many lab courses within SBME, and can be a useful prototyping space for cell- and bacteria-focused capstone projects. Equipment in the SHRM 2053 lab include (but are not limited to):
- Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs)
- Cell Incubators
- Bacterial Incubators
- Laboratory Ovens
- Centrifuge and Microcentrifuges
- NanoDrop spectrophotometer
- Precision Mass Balances
- Fluorescence Microscopes
- Syringe Pumps
- Pipettes and pipette guns
- Electrophoresis modules + power supplies
- Oscilloscopes and Function Generators
- and more!
There may be certain considerations and restrictions on available equipment and consumables, so please check with your TA before using anything in the lab! Do not use or take anything that has not been purchased by your team or is labelled for another course.
All users of the SHRM 2053 lab must complete UBC Biosafety Training and UBC Chemical Safety Training. UBC's Biosafety and Chemical Safety Trainings are valid for five years, so if you have taken the course within the past five years, you do not need to retake it - please send your certificate of completion to your TA or the lab manager. If you have previously taken the Biosafety or Chemical Safety Trainings, but the certificates will lapse before the end of the term, please make sure to take the proper refresher courses (Biosafety Refresher and Chemical Safety Refresher) and send both your full certificate and refresher certificate to your TA or lab manager.
Any undergraduate students that wish to use SHRM 2053 must always be supervised by an instructor or TA when using the space. For capstone students, please check with your TAs for their wet lab open hours, or you can contact a TA directly to schedule a supervised session outside of course times.
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
Design Course Project Purchasing and Reimbursements
Each design course (BMEG 257, 357, 457) has slightly different purchasing guidelines, so please make sure you follow the instructions for your design course!
BMEG 457 (Capstone)
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.
Example of filled-out procurement form.
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 will be assigned a locker in the SBME 1001 design studio. 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. 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.
Capstone Professional Development Workshop Fees
BMEG 457 students are able to claim up to $50 in workshop/training registration fees outlined in their submitted Pro-D Plan Report. To claim these expenses:
- Send a copy of your receipts/invoices to jacqueline.kho@ubc.ca with the subject line "Pro-D Workshop Reimbursement - Your Name and Team Number".
- Complete the Capstone Pro-D Workshop Fee Reimbursement Form.
Any issues/questions about Pro-D reimbursement can be directed to Jacqueline at the email above.
BMEG 357
BMEG 357 team members should purchase their project supplies directly and submit for reimbursement using the form linked here.
If any receipt or invoice contains a shipping/sold to name and address, please make sure it is that specific team member who submits for reimbursement. Each team member should submit a form for their own purchases needing reimbursement.
If your team is uncomfortable or unable to make purchases and submit for reimbursement, please contact jacqueline.kho@ubc.ca and we can make alternative arrangements.
BMEG 257
Info to come...
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.
For small purchases of metals in needed sizes, there is also the local Metal Supermarkets, with stores in Richmond and Burnaby.
SHRM Project Rooms Booking (SHRM 2001-2013)
The project rooms in the Gordon B. Shrum Building are available for booking by registered SBME undergraduate and MEng students only. These project rooms are intended for group work and are not for individual studying.
Project bookings can be made through the SBME Book-A-Space website: https://bookaspace.sbme.ubc.ca/. Students will need to sign up for an account in Book-A-Space each academic year, so even if you had an account for the system last year, you will need to create a new one with a new registration code.
Undergraduate Students: Please follow the instructions found on the SBME Undergraduate Advising Canvas page to find your course code and sign up for an account. Follow the instructions carefully, as codes depend on your course registration for the year!
MEng Students: Please email jacqueline.kho@ubc.ca with the subject line: "MEng Project Room Access" to receive your registration code.
Teaching Labs Booking
The Jim McEwen Zone for Innovators, Creators and Entrepreneurs Makerspace
The Makerspace (SBME 1009/1011) 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.
3D Printer Booking
For prints less than 3 hours there are printers available on a first-come-first-served basis. Prints longer than 3 hours must be booked using the booking system. For more details about booking the printers, please see the 3D Printing page.
SHRM 2053 Wet Lab
Capstone groups wanting to use the SHRM 2053 lab can work during designated capstone open lab hours, or book supervised sessions directly with their BMEG 457 TAs as long as it is outside of regularly scheduled classes.
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
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns, please see the contact page.