Documentation:SBME-Teaching-Labs/FAQ
Having some trouble finding the information you are looking for? Have some unanswered questions? Forgetting something that you vaguely remember discussing during the orientation? Well you are in the right place! Keeping reading to find out the answers to some of the questions we are frequently asked in the Makerspace.
Makerspace Access
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Am I allowed to have off-hours access to the Makerspace? | Off-hours access to the Makerspace is only available to BMEG 457 students who have completed the Off-Hours Training. Information about the Off-Hours Training will be provided at the beginning of the school year. At this time, we will not be providing off-hours access to students in BMEG 357 and BMEG 257.
Course instructors and TAs will also be required to undergo the Off-Hours Training before being granted access to the Makerspace. |
| Can I use the Makerspace for coursework other than my design course? | In select circumstances, students may obtain permission to use the Makerspace for coursework outside of their design courses. Access is granted on a case-by-base basis. Students requiring use of the Makerspace for non-design-related courses should contact the SBME Teaching Lab Manager (Jacqueline) in consultation with the instructor for the course they are seeking permission for. |
| Can I use the Makerspace for my design team? | During the winter session (September to May) the Makerspace is strictly reserved for course-based work. During the summer, select design teams may seek permission to use the Makerspace and access will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Design teams may contact the SBME Teaching Lab Manager (Jacqueline) for more information. Please be aware, access can only be granted to students who are in SBME. |
| Can I use the Makerspace for a personal project? | Unfortunately, at this time, we do not have the capacity for students to be granted access to the Makerspace for personal projects. |
| Can a non-SBME student come into the Makerspace? | Due to insurance reasons, only students who are members of SBME are allowed in the Makerspace. |
| I am an SBME student but I am not currently taking a design course, am I allowed in the Makerspace? | At this time, only students who are currently in a design course (or another approved course) are allowed in the Makerspace, even if you have previously been allowed in the Makerspace for a design course. |
| I missed the safety orientation, what should I do? | Only students who have undergone the in-person safety orientation and filled out the user agreement form are allowed in the makerspace. Each student must renew their safety orientation at the beginning of each course. If you missed this orientation, please contact the teaching team to reschedule an orientation time. You will not be allowed in the Makerspace otherwise. |
Resources and Tools
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What kind of prototyping materials does the makerspace provide? | We provide lots of different prototyping materials! Please see our Resource Page for more information! |
| What electrical components am I allowed to take? | Please see the Resource Page for more information! Please note that you are only allowed to take electrical components to use for your design courses. |
| Am I allowed to borrow this tool for use outside of the makerspace? | Select tools can be borrowed on a case-by-case basis. Tools must be booked out before they can be removed from the Makerspace. Tools can only be booked out through consultation with the Makerspace Tech. Course TAs do not have the authority to lend out tools. If a student removes a tool from the Makerspace without proper permission, their access to the Makerspace could be revoked. |
| Can this machine be used on my material? | Please see the Workshop Page to see which materials are compatible with our tools. Please note, stainless steel of any type is not permitted in the Makerspace. |
| I would like to use a tool/machine that we do not have access to in the makerspace, how can I get access to this tool/machine? | In certain circumstances, we might be able to connect you with access to specialized tools. Please speak to SBME Teaching Lab Manager (Jacqueline) or the Makerspace Tech (Kevin) for help accessing the specific tool you are looking for. |
| This tool/machine is broken, what should I do? | Please report all broken equipment to the Makerspace Technician (Kevin) via email so that he can make a maintenance log and/or service it. |
| Which machines require additional training? | The tools in the makerspace that require additional training and special permission to use are the following:
Please do not use these tools unless you have been given permission from a course TA or the Makerspace Tech. |
Safety
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| I underwent training for a machine but I still do not feel comfortable using the machine, what should I do? | Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance or a refresher on how to use any of the equipment, even if you have been trained on it. Some of the tools can be intimidating to use and we are all human. Please speak to the supervising TA or reach out to the Makerspace Technician (Kevin).
Course TAs are encouraged to reach out the the Makerspace Technician for assistance with any tools they feel they need assistance with. The training documents are all linked on the Workshop Page if you would like to review them. |
| I feel unsafe in the makerspace, what should I do? | If you have any safety concerns please speak to someone on the teaching team at anytime, including course instructors, course TAs, Kevin, and/or Jacqueline. Your safety and comfort is of the utmost importance.
If you are working during off-hours and feel unsafe, please call UBC security at 604-822-2222. For any emergencies (medical or otherwise), please call 911. Make sure to specify that you are located in the Gordon B Shrum (SBME) Building, Room 1009 or 1011. |
| What should I do if there is an injury? | During studio time or open hours, please inform a TA or the Makerspace Tech of any injuries. During off-hours, please notify either Kevin or Jacqueline of all injuries that occur, even minor ones.
Minor Injuries: For minor cuts or scrapes, we have a first aid kit available in the Makerspace. Moderate and Severe Injuries: For any injury that cannot be treated with a simple band-aid, please call UBC First Aid at 604-822-4444. UBC first aid is available 24/7. Make sure to specify that you are located in the Gordon B Shrum (SBME) Building, Room 1009 or 1011. Medical Emergencies: Call 911, then call UBC First Aid. Make sure to specify that you are located in the Gordon B Shrum (SBME) Building, Room 1009 or 1011. |
| What should I do if there is a fire? | In the case of a minor fire, there is a fire extinguisher located in the hallway directly beside the door to the Makerspace.
In case of a serious fire, please pull the fire alarm and evacuate the building. In the case that a fire alarm goes off in the building, please evacuate. The evacuation route for the Makerspace requires you to exit the room and go straight out the rear doors across from the elevators. The meeting point for the building is located on the sidewalk at the northeast corner of the building on University Blvd.. |
| I noticed another student violate the rules, what should I do? | If you witness any unsafe behaviour, please report it to someone on the teaching team including course instructors, course TAs, Kevin, and/or Jacqueline. As a student, it is not your responsibility to confront someone misbehaving, however it is your responsibility to report any incidences so that we may ensure rules are being properly enforced. |
3D Printers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What type of filament does the Makerspace provide? | The Makerspace provides black PLA for the FDM/FFF printers. All other printing materials must be pre-approved by the Makerspace Tech and paid for out of your team budget. |
| Can I use a different filament that the type provided by the Makerspace? | If you would like to use anything besides the standard black PLA provided by the Makerspace, please speak to a TA or the Makerspace Tech. It is recommended that you do not buy any filament until you have had it approved. |
| My 3D print failed, what should I do? | Please cancel your print as soon as you realize that the print is failing. For more detail about the steps you should take, please see the "My first layer failed, what should I do?" section on the 3D Printing page. |
| I think this 3D printer isn't levelled or the settings are wrong, what should I do? | Please do not attempt to adjust any printer settings yourself. If you suspect that a printer is not levelled or some of the settings are incorrect, please speak to a TA or the Makerspace Tech. If you are accessing the printers during off-hours, please stop your print and email Kevin. Your print will be given priority the following day. |
| I think this 3D printer is broken, what should I do? | Please inform the Makerspace Tech if you suspect a printer is broken. Please provide as much detail as possible in order to help us troubleshoot. Do not under any circumstances attempt to repair it yourself. If you suspect a printer is broken, please do not attempt to continue printing with it. |
Other Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| I have no inspiration and I don't know what to do for my project. What should I do? | That's okay! We all hit road blocks sometimes. I would recommend checking out our Resources Page to look at the different materials left behind and check out some of the extra materials linked there. |
| I don't know anything, I feel like I have no experience compared to my peers. What should I do? | Many students come into SBME without any experience, that's why you are here to learn! This wiki has a lot of resources linked to help those without experience start to learn. For information on using the power tools and hand tools, check out the Workshop Page. For more information about 3D printing, I recommend checking out the resources linked at the bottom of the 3D Printing Page. If you would like some more hands on training, don't hesitate to talk to your TAs, we LOVE questions (it's literally our job). |
| I am stressed and overwhelmed. Why did I choose engineering? | School is stressful sometimes and design courses usually come with a heavy workload. If you are feeling overwhelmed, you can access some mental health resources here. |
Still feeling unsure about things? Want some advice on how to survive your design courses? Please reach out! :)
Contact Us
Still have more unanswered questions? Please see the contact page to determine who to contact to help give you answers.