MechSE MakerWorks - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Our maker spaces have infinite potential. Such energy generates great questions about access, training, costs, giving, holding events, sponsoring educational workshops for elementary, middle, and high school students, and many, many other great questions! If you wish to join the club, please join the Slack and message Nathan Hochhalter or Nathan Stalder. See below for questions related to each space. If you have another question not yet listed below, please send it to our Faculty Supervisor, Kyle Cheek (kcheek@illinois.edu).
Are all students welcome to use the MakerWorks studios?
At this time, MechSE MakerWorks supports primarily mechanical engineering courses, yet remains open to the most passionate and knowledgeable makers at Illinois to accelerate innovation across our amazing campus.
Believe it or not, our studios do not currently charge to use the space. We do ask that you are trained before granting access and use to keep you safe. If printing a 3D part for a MechSE related design course (ME XXX), the cost is covered by the design class budget. If you wish to print anything else, there will be a small fee . For remaining supplies such as acrylic, delrin, etc. please see a volunteer to purchase.
Can you help me to design and make?Ask a MechSE MakerWorks Club volunteer for assistance, as they may be able to! However, our goal is that each user is enabled to learn design and how to make. That's the power of I! Volunteers are available during general admission hours and are happy to help.
I'm not an engineering student, can I volunteer for the MakerWorks Club?
MechSE MakerWorks Club needs all types of skills to excel, including business, human resources, event planning, and outreach. If you think you can help promote and inspire our club and making, please join the Slack and message Nathan Hochhalter or Nathan Stalder.
How do I join the MechSE MakerWorks Club? Are there any incentives to join? How will this help me?
Ask a MechSE MakerWorks Club volunteer for assistance to see about openings in the club. There are increasing incentives as one moves up the ranks, from free 3D printing of personal projects to access to the studios, to enjoying corporate events. Joining the club will provide you valuable hands-on skills desired by the most successful businesses in the United States and abroad. Your additional credentials may earn you better pay or a foot in the door at the largest companies seeking the best talent. Please join the Slack and message Nathan Hochhalter or Nathan Stalder.
How do I receive training on the use, maintenance, and troubleshooting on studio equipment?
Ask a MechSE MakerWorks Club volunteer for assistance. They are available during general admission hours and are happy to share.
Studio equipment is not operating properly, who do I contact?
Ask a MechSE MakerWorks Club volunteer for assistance. They are available during general admission hours and are happy to help.
Do companies know about MechSE MakerWorks and its various titles?
As part of our recruiting efforts to solicit Senior Capstone Design projects, all companies are informed of our club and provided the link to see the club organization and members. Our goal is to make these titles well-known throughout the world so that when you leave Illinois to pursue an amazing career, the places you go will know the hands-on talents you bring simply be seeing your participation in our club.
How can I personally or my company participate in MechSE MakerWorks?
We love this question! There are many ways to participate and help our students excel in the global marketplace. We can always use: an expert maker to visit and share ideas and methods or conduct a cool workshop, spare materials that students can use to learn or build their projects, donated hand and power tools, and industry allies. Likely also in many others ways we could use help! Please contact Alec Verone (averone2@illinois.edu) and/or Kyle Cheek (kcheek@illinois.edu) to explore options that will serve as a win-win for everyone!
Join the MechSE MakerWorks Club as a volunteer. Volunteers who assist us in upkeep and teaching peers on the use, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the equipment within the studios are given 24/7 access to the studio and free 3D printing of personal projects. Plus they earn resume building titles. Corporations are gaining an understanding of rank within our studio and may give you the edge up!
How do I receive training on the use, maintenance, and troubleshooting on studio equipment?Ask a MechSE MakerWorks Club volunteer for assistance. They are available during general admission hours and are happy to share.
Studio equipment is not operating properly, who do I contact?Ask a MechSE MakerWorks Club volunteer for assistance. They are available during general admission hours and are happy to help.
Join the MechSE MakerWorks Club as a volunteer. Volunteers who assist us in upkeep and teaching peers on the use, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the equipment within the studios are given 24/7 access to the studio and free 3D printing of personal projects and use of studio equipment in each respective studio. Plus they earn resume building titles. Corporations are gaining an understanding of rank within our studio and may give you the edge up!
How do I receive training on the use, maintenance, and troubleshooting on studio equipment?Ask a MechSE MakerWorks Club volunteer for assistance. They are available during general admission hours and are happy to share.
Studio equipment is not operating properly, who do I contact?Ask a MechSE MakerWorks Club volunteer for assistance. They are available during general admission hours and are happy to help.
Do you sell typical materials needed?Yes, we seek to provide a small inventory of potential items needed in a wood shop. Please see a MechSE MakerWorks Club volunteer for assistance. They are available during general admission hours and are happy to help.
Equipment in this space is inherently more dangerous to you and requires significant training (like found at a Community College) in its use before any permissions are extended. As of today, training in this space is handled via the Grainger College of Engineering's Engineering Student Design Center (ESDC) and conducted by Mr. Mark Pinson. To sign up for training, the requirement is to first join a registered student organization that uses ESDC for project building and requires the need for machining experience, and then second request training via the team. With time and dedication of passionate, professionally oriented, and responsible students who fully exemplify our values, we hope to offer additional training opportunities in the safest manner possible during general admission hours.
How do I gain 24/7 access to the studio to have more time to make parts?This option is NOT available at this time.
How do I gain general admission access to the studio?If you have passed the training requirements of the ESDC respective of individual machining equipment, request permission from Mark Pinson for access to the studio during general admission hours. If approved, your name will be submitted to MechSE for consideration and an interview may be scheduled to verify your skills and your dedication to our shared values. Upon approval by MechSE, you will be granted access during general admission hours. Continued access is directly affected by your actions to build trust and earn the respect of professionals in the workplace.
Can I schedule use of particular equipment during general admission or is it first come first serve?As we are just beginning this shared space approach, we will proceed with first come first serve. We will continue to monitor demand and provide further guidance in the future. Always interested in seeing how we can efficiently use university resources.
Studio equipment is not operating properly, who do I contact?Please speak with Mark Pinson during training sessions, or with a machinist in the studio if during general admission hours.
How are you helping me be safe while using such amazing machines?We work with campus safety professionals to ensure a safe working environment. We also chose specifically heavy machinery with built-in safety mechanisms to reduce potential risks. We'll train you on the safest use of each machine before ever letting you operate it. Finally, we continually evaluate each person so that all of us share our five values and live by them to promote a safe environment.
What kind of metals can I machine?Our current equipment can machine any metal you bring to the shop. Of course, let's make sure the specific tooling you use can do the job. Speak with Mark Pinson during training sessions, or with a machinist in the studio if during general admission hours about proper tooling.