DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library is offering Makerspace open lab hoursfrom 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, June 6 and 20.
The Nancy D. Castle Collaboration Studio will have a variety of supplies and computers on hand, as well as knowledgeable staff members to assist visitors. Space is limited, first come-first served.
The studio houses 2 FDM printers. These 3-D printers melt a plastic filament which is extruded in layers onto a build plate based on a list of coordinates created by software. Once the build is finished, the final print can be removed from the printer and then be lightly sanded, painted or otherwise treated like any plastic model.
It also has an SLA printer. This 3D printer starts out with a liquid, UV sensitive resin; the build plate lowers into the resin and an ultraviolet laser quickly cures each layer, also using coordinates created by the software. Once printing finishes, the print is placed in isopropyl alcohol for a few minutes to clean off any residue, then set under a UV light (or placed in the sun) for a little while to fully cure the resin.
Along with the 3-D printers, the studio has video conferencing software and hardware and collaboration software which allows multiple devices, computers and tablets to connect to a central hub, either with a cord or wirelessly, and display information for everyone to view, quickly and easily switching between the different devices that are connected.
There also is a Cricut vinyl cutter and a new laser cutter housed in the room. The laser cutter/engraver is a computer-controlled cutting device that uses a laser to cut or engrave a design into various materials – including wood acrylic and glass.
For information, contact Josh at joshuam@dkpl.org or 815-756-9568, ext. 2115.