Location:

17 Fountain, Room B2

Hours:

Summer 2013 hours are TBA, lab closes for the semester at 8pm on May 5th.
Mon: 10am-3pm
Tuesday: 10am - 8pm
Wednesday: 10am - 8pm
Thu: 10am-12:30pm
Friday: 10am - 5pm
Sunday: 12pm - 5pm

Technician Hours

Workstudy hours will be posted outside the FlexLab.

FlexLab Services & Pricing:

Vinyl Cutting: $1/linear foot
FDM 3D Print: $5/cubic inch
Solidscape 3D Print: $5 startup + $1/hour
Epson Large Format Color Print:

• $3.50/linear foot for any full color print
• $2/linear foot for half-tone or black & white
• $1/linear foot for 25%> page cover, black only

Laser Cutting - Free if you provide your own material, we have various sizes and colors of acrylic for sale $2-$16
3D Scanning (free)
Screen Printing (free)
Plasma Cutting (free)
Large Format Cutting Space (free)
Rhino Help/3D Modeling Help (free)
File Setup Help (free)
Model Painting/Dying Help (free)

Guidelines for Any 3D Printing:

1. File MUST be a Stereolithography File (.stl). Any other file type will be turned away.
2. Objects created in CAD/CAM software must be water-tight in order to print. This means no naked edges, holes, or inverted normals. Most software will not let you save a file as an .stl if it isn’t fit for printing, but it can happen. If you are having issues accomplishing such an object, please come visit the FlexLab.
3. In the FlexLab we do have some troubleshooting software that can help in some unsolvable situations. We are more than happy to help with file issues but please do not just drop them off – we would like to teach you how to fix the issue. Again, come work with us on files if you are not sure or having problems.
4. In the FlexLab we are very experienced in Rhino and Illustrator. We are available to help extensively with these files types – other software files are a possibility, but not guaranteed. Let us know if you need help with something, and we will do our best to assist you.
5. We reserve the right to return an unfit file to you with explanation of how to fix it. Our “fix it” software can do some miracles, but not all of them.

Guidelines for Laser Cutting:

1. File can be either an Adobe Illustrator (.ai) file or an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file, though Illustrator files are preferred. To fully cut out a 2D image, single outlines must be made of it – be sure there are no double lines as this causes issues. Lines should be .25pt and red in color.
2. To etch a 2D image onto a surface, the image must be filled in the areas you want etched. Areas to be etched should be black in color. Photographs can be etched, though they must be black & white. Gradients are expressed as fields of dots.
3. The laser can cut through up to ¼ inch, depending on the material. Acrylic, paper, wood and other plastics are the most common, but other materials can be tested and used.
4. The FlexLab carries a stock of acrylic sheet that can be purchased – all other materials must be provided by you.
5. Bring scrap and/or back-up material, especially when cutting out pre-printed images as the first outcome may not be what you expected.

Guidelines for Vinyl Cutting:

1. File can be either an Adobe Illustrator (.ai) file or an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file, though Illustrator files are preferred.
2. The image or text must have outlines made of it in order to properly cut on the vinyl cutter. To do this in Illustrator, simply select the object, go to Object: Expand. When the prompt comes up click Ok. Filled areas are inconsequential.
3. All of the vinyl rolls we use are 2 ft (24in) wide, so plan your designs accordingly. Also be aware that you need to leave a margin, as the vinyl cutter cannot cut directly on the edge.
4. While the vinyl cutter can do an amount of detail, tiny text and intricate patterns don’t fare well. Keeping all text at least ½ inch tall will help avoid most problems. We are willing to attempt to cut anything outside of these parameters, just be aware you will still be charged for all vinyl used.
5. Once you have weeded your image (pulled off the negative vinyl), simply return to the FlexLab and we will provide you with transfer tape to transfer your image to your surface.