(Photo by: Vaughn Wheat)

Imagine you’re in a graphic design class and get assigned a project where you need a laser cutter 3D printer and you don’t have access to those pieces of equipment. How will you ever get your project done? Luckily for you, those items are available on campus.

The MakerLab, located in LIB 371, is an open lab with tools and equipment where students, staff and faculty can make or fabricate items.

“So people will bring their files in and make objects, whether they’re 3D-printed, or cut, or engraved. Whatever they need to do, we can also help with consulting on how to make projects, particularly for school-related projects and things like that,” Ed Tech Center Lead Meredith Nelson said. “So we have technicians in there that can, even if we can’t do it. They can kind of give you some ideas of what you can do or where other places that you can go to get stuff manufactured.”

According to the MakerLab tab on the JCCC website, the lab includes a 3D printer, resin printer, 60w laser cutter, electronics/soldering station and a CNC machine.

Nelson explained how the lab is free to use. Some of the machines have materials provided, while others need materials to be brought.

“I provide 3D printing materials and also papers, the different paper and types of vinyl that we have for the vinyl printer and cutter, but I do not provide materials for the laser cutter and the CNC machine, just because both of those machines can use lots of different kinds of materials,” Nelson said.

Nelson explained that reservations are not needed, but are recommended. Reservations can be made through a link listed on the MakerLab’s website.

“You can stop by anytime, and you can get a tour or a consultation. Pretty much anytime that we’re open and we have somebody working. If you’re wanting to print or use the equipment, we recommend a reservation, but sometimes we can make them on the fly–or if nobody’s using that equipment, you’re welcome to use it,” Nelson said.

The MakerLab started in a classroom and was only available for faculty. When Nelson was brought in, they opened it up to students and received money for renovations.

“My first thing was to open it up to students, not necessarily specific to a particular project that a faculty member sent them to the maker’s space to do. So we rebranded, and we opened it up,” Nelson said. “We had requested to move to a different space, but there wasn’t a space opportunity for us. But they did give us money for our renovation, and that renovation took place in December of 2019.”

Nelson explained that most of their problems come from marketing issues, especially when she was the only one working, but they are hoping to become more visible to students.

“I started hiring MakerLab technicians. I hired students to do it, and that has increased our visibility quite a bit,” Nelson said. “So we’re hoping eventually to be one of the official student resource centers, and where we would fall into a more logical place where students would think of, you know, places [you] go or on campus resources and things like that.”