Makerspace at the ECenter

Makerspace 3D printing nozzle


A STUDENT-RUN AND FREE-TO-USE SPACE WHERE YOU CAN BRING YOUR IDEAS TO LIFE

The student-run Makerspace at the ECenter is open to all first time users and experts. Come with your ideas and our student Makerspace mentors will help you bring them to life!

Sponsored by the Tasker Family

Why UNH Students Love the Makerspace

 

  •  Open access to state-of-the-art equipment in the only student-run space on campus.
  •  Supplies and equipment are provided by ECenter donors and free for student use.
  •  No experience necessary and open to all skill levels, from first timer to expert. Our volunteer student Mentors are here to help you turn your ideas into creations!

What is the Makerspace?

 

The Makerspace is a 476 square foot workshop outfitted with fabrication tools and equipment for UNH students, faculty, and staff to create nearly anything they can imagine. Whether it be for research, a business idea, or just for fun, the Makerspace is a free resource for the UNH community. Scroll down this page for the full list of equipment available in the Makerspace. 

Imagine a place filled with creative tools and supplies where all students are welcome to freely work on bringing their ideas to life. It's not only a dream, it's the Makerspace at the ECenter.

Nathan Daigle '21 (CEPS)

A Few Makerspace Creations

  • 3D printed Flexi Rexie
    3D printed Flexi Rexie
  • 3D printed PPE headband parts
    3D printed PPE headband parts
  • Kinetic sculptures made on the 3D printer and laser cutter
    Kinetic sculptures made on the 3D printer and laser cutter
  • Patriots sign made on the laser engraver
    Pats pride on the laser engraver
  • Ham Smith wall quotes made on the vinyl cutter
    Ham Smith wall quotes made on the vinyl cutter

VISIT THE MAKERSPACE

The Makerspace at the ECenter is free and available to UNH students, faculty, and staff by walk-in during open hours with COVID-19 precautions in place (See COVID-19 update section below). 

Please view our Google calendar to see the open hours.

Got a question? Please reach out!  

 

CONTACT THE MAKERSPACE

 


 

COVID-19 UPDATE

 

Please follow UNH Durham campus guidelines. Do not come to the Makerspace if you are feeling unwell.

 

 

View our calendar for open hours

 

 

Available mentor hours are listed on the calendar and are subject to change. The Makerspace is closed for University holidays, curtailed operations days, and University breaks.

EQUIPMENT AT THE MAKERSPACE

First time users will be trained by student mentors on how the different machines can be used to help you create your idea or design. There is no experience prerequisite to use the space - first time visitors with no experience are welcome! Please view the Mentor hours listed in our calendar to find a time for your visit.

(If you are already an experienced maker, we encourage you to apply to become a Makerspace mentor.)

The Makerspace at the ECenter offers an UltiMaker 3D printer, two Creality CR10S Pro 3D printers, two Prusa i3 MK3S 3D printers, and a Formlabs SLA printer.

The software we use for the printers is Cura, which includes a slicer for your .STL files. The 3D printers typically use PLA filament and, depending on the printer, takes either 1.75mm or 2.85mm filament. We provide the filament in the Makerspace. We also provide the resin for the SLA printer. 

The training process for the 3D printers is an overview of the process of setting up the job and machine, which includes starting a print. A demonstration of knowledge is expected to become qualified to operate the 3D printer. If you intend to print a model which uses a considerable amount of filament, please consider bringing your own spool. The Makerspace (and the ECenter) are donor-funded so we appreciate thoughtfulness with supply use.

The DATRON Neo CNC Milling Machine can be used for R&D, rapid prototyping, short run production of small parts, milling aluminum and plastics, and 3D engraving with precise detail. Only a CNC mill trained mentor can operation the mill. It features:

  • 20.5" x 16.5" X, Y travel
  • 40,000 RPM spindle 
  • 24-tool automatic tool changer
  • Cast polymer-concrete construction
  • Touch-screen control software
  • 3D probe/camera measurement
  • Camera-assisted setup
  • Intuitive App-style functions
  • Up to 1,100"/min. max. rapid/feed rate

The Epilog laser can be used to cut or engrave various materials. It has a working envelope of 18 inches (width) by 12 inches. The laser is 40 watts which allows it to cut into wood-based materials such as plywood, cardboard, fiberboard, and paper products. It can also cut acrylic plastic. The maximum thickness of these materials is around 0.25 inches. The laser also has an engraving function to engrave vector and raster based images.

It can engrave the cutting materials listed above, and other materials, such as certain metals. Text, logos, and images are commonly engraved. The laser will leave burn marks on wood which in some cases can be sanded off.

The laser creates very precise cuts and can be used to make parts which fit together. To create files for a laser job, you can use most vector based programs such as CorelDRAW and Adobe Illustrator. The training process involves an instructional portion and a demonstration of knowledge, which includes cutting and engraving using the laser.

The vinyl cutter is used to create “decals” which are adhesive backed or non-adhesive backed. The decals can be stuck to a variety of surfaces. The vinyl cutter uses a roll of vinyl (typically single color) which feeds into the back side. A computer controlled knife cuts out the outline of a vector based image in order to produce the decal.

The training process for the vinyl cutter is instruction of the use of the cutter control software and a demonstration by a mentor of the physical setup and machine specific setup instructions. A demonstration of knowledge is required to be qualified on the machine. If your design requires a considerable amount of vinyl stock, please provide it yourself.

Sailrite Ultrafeed LS-1 Industrial Sewing Machine can be used for prototyping or design.

The electronics station includes a soldering iron, power supply, prototyping breadboards, a variety of electronic components, and other tools. Proper electrical safety procedures must be observed while using the equipment.

  • Solidworks
  • Autodesk Fusion 360
  • Google SketchUp
  • CorelDRAW
  • Cura

UPCOMING EVENTS

Alas, there are no upcoming events at this time.

Our Makerspace Mission

 

The Makerspace at the ECenter is a free-to-use resource open to all students, faculty, and staff in the UNH community. All skill levels are welcome, from novice to expert. Our volunteer student Mentors will teach you to use the equipment. 
 

Our mission is to foster new generations of creative thinkers and problem solvers by providing all UNH students, regardless of prior experience, with the technology and equipment to explore their inventive ideas and creative workflow. 

6.95 miles

PLA used in 2019-2020