Documentation:SBME-Teaching-Labs/Makerspace-Workshop

Welcome to the SBME Makerspace Workshop page! Here you can find information about the tools available in the Makerspace Workshop (WESB 317) along with some resources to help you use these tools. You can access the user manual for the tools here by clicking on the titles. The information here is to help support your learning and we encourage you to speak to the teaching team for any additional questions or support you may need to use these tools. The purpose is to learn, so please don't hesitate to ask!

General Workshop Information

Materials

The tools in the workshop can be used with a variety of materials, however the default setting for all the tools in the Makerspace are set for cutting wood. If you would like to use any of the tools on a material other than wood, please speak to a TA. For safety reasons, using the workshop tools for any work with stainless steel is not permitted.

BMEG 257

Students are welcome to use the tools in the workshop for their design projects. Students in BMEG 257 will not be provided with specific tool training unless it is required for their project. Due to this, BMEG 257 students will require supervision while using tools in the workshop. Please speak to the Instructor or TA during studio time if you would like to use any of the workshop tools.

BMEG 357

Students are welcome to use the tools in the workshop for their design projects. Students in BMEG 357 will not be provided with specific tool training unless it is required for their project. Due to this, BMEG 357 students will require supervision while using tools in the workshop. Please speak to the Instructor or TA during studio time if you would like to use any of the workshop tools.

BMEG 457

Students in capstone have the opportunity to be granted off-hours access to the Makerspace and do not require specific supervision. Students will receive limited training on the following tools during the required Off-Hours Training:

Drill Press
Sanding Station
Compound Mitre Saw
Bandsaw
Laser Cutter
Soldering Station

A lot of the information on this page comes directly from the Off-Hours Training, should you need to review it. We understand that individual students may have different levels of experience and/or comfort when working with tools so please do not hesitate to ask for help or a demo even if you have completed the required training. Any unsafe or improper use of the workshop tools could result in your access being revoked, so it is better to err with caution and ask if you are unsure about anything. The waterjet cutter and spot welder require additional training and/or PPE and will not be available to use without supervision. Please speak to a member of the teaching team if you would like to use these tools.

Required PPE and Safety Rules

Please follow all safety rules when using the workshop. Repeat failure to comply with PPE and safety guidelines could result in your access to the space being revoked. When in doubt, always check with a TA or the Makerspace Tech.

General Shop Safety Rules

Safety guards must be in place at all times

Never push a blade or sharp tool toward any part of your body.
Do not use gloves with rotatory equipment.
Do not work with small pieces on power machinery. Use hand tools instead.
Always secure the work piece with clamps or a vise.
Always wait for the tool to fully stop before reaching for your stock.
Never remove metal chips, turnings, or shavings with your hands.
No running or horseplay.

Workshop PPE

Protective eyewear must be worn at all times in the workshop, even over personal glasses.
Long hair must be tied back
No loose clothing or jewellery, including scarves, ties, long necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, long sleeves, etc.
Open-toed footwear is not permitted in the shop.

Protective eyeglasses, hair ties, and shoe covers are provided in the Makerspace. These items can be found beside the door into the workshop.

10" Rikon Bandsaw

Uses: Bandsaws are used to cut materials, particularly in irregular or curved shapes.

Materials: Wood, plastic, and aluminum.

Cutting Capacity: Height: 4-5/8" (101 mm) Width: 9-5/8" (228 mm)

Using the Bandsaw

Check all doors are closed, proper positioning, nothing can get caught in the blade etc.
Raise the tension to an appropriate level.
Ensure the guides are in place. They should be very close (couple mm’s away) from the blade
Lower your z-axis guard to be as close to the piece as possible (max. ¼ inch)
Make your cut. When you get close, please use a push stick instead of your hands
After you complete your cut, loosen tension, clean up your work area

Tips

Slow down when cutting curves on the bandsaw

Screeching sound indicates that the blade is under too much tension

Use the appropriate speed for the material you’re using (aluminum = low speed, wood = high speed)

Use a push stick when you near the end of your workpiece

Before use, ensure the saw and table are clean of any leftover dust or wood. Use the shop vac in the Makerspace to vacuum any sawdust, place larger pieces of scrap wood in the allocated bins, and any garbage in the waste bins in the Makerspace.
Make sure to keep hands at least 4 inches away from the blade at all times

10" Dewalt Mitre Saw

Uses: A compound mitre saw is used to perform cross cuts, bevel cuts, mitre cuts, and compound cuts.

Materials: Wood, plastic (special cases only, please see makerspace technician if you need a plastic cut)

Using the Mitre Saw

Raise the mitre blade, secure your work piece using C-clamps to the table bench.
Align the mitre saw to your desired cut.
Keeping one hand on the trigger switch/handle and one hand on your piece of stock, cut the piece.
As soon as the piece is cut, release the trigger switch and return the mitre saw to guarded/locked position (unless doing multiple cuts in sequence).
Wait for the mitre saw to be completely stopped before unclamping and taking your pieces.

Tips

Only cut one work piece at a time

Wait for the saw to stop moving fully before removing your pieces

Do not cut pieces smaller than 8 inches in length

Do not cut freehand. The stock should lie solidly on the table against the fence

Do not force the saw. Cuts should be very easy and smooth.

Ryobi Disc and Belt Sanding Station

Uses: Sanders are used to provide a smooth finish to your project. Our sander is a Ryobi 120V combination belt/disc sander. The disc is used for outside curves and edges. The belt is used for rough sanding or surface levelling.

Materials: Wood, plastic

Using the Sanding Station

Check the sandpaper for tears and make sure it is not loose – check tension is centred
Open blast gate and turn dust collection on
Stand to one side of the disc, not directly in line with the plane of rotation
Turn sander on
Hold piece firmly against the table or stop
Keep fingers away from the sanding belt
After completing your work, clean the sander and the work area around it

Tips

Avoid excessive pressure against the sand paper

Avoid awkward hand positions that may cause hands to slip into the paper

Disc sander: outside curves and angles

Know the rotation of the sander. Sand on the downward side of a disc sander

Do not sand anything that has loose knots, splits, defects or foreign objects

DO NOT SAND METAL

Never reach over the disc, under the table, or behind the sander while it’s running

Don’t sand anything that is too small to be held or supported properly

Drill Press

Uses: To bore controlled and straight holes into pieces at defined depths. Can be straight or at an angle (table tilt: -45° to 45°).

Materials: Aluminum, wood, and plastic

Working Area: 9-½" x 9-½" (241 x 241 mm)

Thickness: defined by drill bit specifications

Using the Drill Press

Choose the drill bit for the job at hand. Tighten the bit evenly into the chuck on all three sides as tight as possible with the key alone.
Clamp your workpiece onto the table. If your hole needs to go all the way through your piece and has potential to come in contact with the table, place a sacrificial piece under it or make sure the drill bit is aligned with the hole in the table.
Move the table to a height at which the bit is just above the work piece.
Turn the drill press on
Ease into the piece. Cut only as fast as the bit can on its own.
Back up the bit as soon as the hole is drilled SLOWLY. Use the lock nut on the side of the spindle for boring to depth.
Stop/turn off the machine before removing any work.

Tips

For deep holes or dense material, back out occasionally to remove waste and cool the bit.

If the piece is seized by the bit or comes loose, stop the press immediately

Do not leave the chuck key in the press. It should only be there when in the act of changing drill bits

Work must be clamped or secured to the table by some means. Do not hold the pieces to drill them.

Spot Welder

Spot welding requires the use of a fume extractor and requires additional PPE. Please see a TA or the Makerspace technician if you would like to use the spot welder.

Uses: To join two or more pieces of sheet metal together.

Materials: Sheet metal, primarily steel (non-galvanized), nickel-alloys, titanium

Additional PPE: Welding mask, apron, and gloves. Must be conducted under fume hood. Leather sleeves available to prevent burns to arms or sleeves from slag.

Using the Spot Welder

Before turning on the machine, turn on fume extractor. Check that the electrodes are aligned and that your piece fits between the electrodes.
Ensure electrodes are several inches apart, then turn on machine.
Position your piece between electrodes. Be careful to never put fingers or hands between electrodes.
Press down firmly on the rocker arm and hold in place.
When ready, press trigger switch for several seconds to engage machine. Then immediately release trigger switch.
Lift rocker arm and move piece away from electrodes.
Turn off machine.
Wait for piece to cool before touching (it will be very hot!).

Tips

Pieces could be hot after welding. Keep a bucket of cold water nearby to immerse piece in after completing weld to help facilitate cooling.
Not pressing down firm enough on rocker arm while welding can create sparks.
Galvanized metals will produce sparks.
Piece can be held together using vise-grip pliers.
Pressing electrode tips together without a metal between them can cause damage to the tips.

For a basic demonstration of spot welding, check out this YouTube video.

12" Grizzly Benchtop Shears

Uses: Creating straight cuts of sheet metal.

Materials: Sheet metal

Capacity:

Maximum Width: 12 in.
Maximum Thickness at Half Width Mild Steel: 17 Gauge
Maximum Thickness at Full Width Mild Steel: 20 Gauge
Front Stop Scale Range: 7-1/2 in.
Rear Stop Scale Range: 9-1/2 in.

Tips

Press down firmly but consistently on the handles to cut the sheet metal. Do not suddenly slam down the handles.
Deburr all cut edges to make them clean and safe for use and transportation.
Use the backstop as a method of measurement for cuts when possible. Otherwise clearly mark cut line with a visible indicator such as marker.

12" Grizzly Pan and Box Brake

Uses: Bending and forming sheet metal.

Materials: Sheet metal

Capacity:

Maximum Width:12 in.
Maximum Thickness Mild Steel: 20 Gauge
Minimum Reverse Bend: 3/8 in.
Maximum Height of Pan/Box Brake Sides: 7/8 in.
Bed Height Above Floor: 9 in.

For a basic demonstration of using a (large!) Pan and Box Brake, check out this YouTube video.

12" Wood Lathe

Uses: Turning down the radius of a wood piece. Cutting radial shapes. Hollowing out a shell (think bowls).

Materials: Wood

Capacity:

Maximum Stock Diameter: 12 in.
Maximum Stock Length: 24 in.

For a good, basic introduction to wood turning, check out this YouTube Playlist.

6" Dewalt Bench Grinder

Uses: Grinding and shaping metal, deburring edges, polishing.

PPE: No gloves, loose sleeves, jewelry. Impact face shield must be worn.

Materials: Ferrous Metals

Capacity: Any size materials as long as it will not bend while in contact with the wheel, can be held firmly, and can be held flat against the wheel,

Using the Bench Grinder:

Put on the correct PPE.
Ensure the grinder is fully mounted and seated.
Adjust the face guards and tool rest based on your material and cut.
Turn on the grinder.
Press the material against the wheels without too much force, similar to sanding.
Allow for the metal to cool between grinding sessions or if it gets too hot.
Once complete, turn off the grinder and allow it fully come to a stop.

Tips:

Allow the machine to come fully up to speed before use.
The face guard should be position between your face / eyes and the tool rest / material.
Use the whole face of the wheel whenever possible to ensure even wear. The workpiece can also be slid back and forth along the wheel during use to even out wear.
Never apply pressure to the sides of the wheel, they will explode.
Keep a small container of water nearby to cool the workpiece as you go.
Always hold the workpiece against the tool rest and do not allow the workpiece to come into contact with the wheel at a downward angle.

Other Tools

Dremel

A Dremel is a multipurpose tool used for cutting, sanding, engraving, polishing, etc. In the Makerspace, we have the Dremel 3000 model and the associated attachments. Here is a demo from the the Dremel YouTube channel.

Reciprocating Saw

A reciprocating saw is a type of powered saw that uses back and forth motions to cut through material.

JigSaw

A power saw used to cut irregular shapes in wood, generally used for wood sheets like plywood.

Wood Saws and Hacksaws

Wood Saws (also known as handsaws) are designed for cutting wood and are considered a woodworking tool. Hacksaws are designed to cut through metal and plastic. Both types of saws can be found in the workshop.

Desoldering Tool

Tap and Die Kit

Taps and dies are tools used to make threads. Taps are tools which make internal threads, like a screw-hole or in a nut. Dies make external threads like around a rod.

Cordless Drills

We have various models of cordless drills available in the workshop. We have drill bits ranging from 1/16" to 1/2".

Chisel and Punch Set

Chisels and punches are typically used for carving materials. We have various sizes which range from 1/16" to 1".

Wood Lathe

Wood Lathes are used to perform turning operations on wood stock. At its most basic, this may involve turning down the radius of a rod to fit specific holes or dimensions, but can also be used for a variety of other tasks.