Telling and showing what students are doing . We invite everyone who is interested in the topic of DIY as part of student initiatives under cat.
How the fab lab appeared
ITMO University is a small workshop where students and teachers of our university can independently create various parts for scientific research or experiments. The idea to create a workshop was submitted и Evgeny Anfimov.
They developed creative DIY projects at home or in the fab labs of other universities. But the guys thought that it would be nice to implement their ideas within the walls of their native university. The initiative was presented to the Rector of ITMO University. He supported her.
At the time the idea of the laboratory appeared, Alexey and Evgeniy were finishing their fourth-year undergraduate studies. When they switched to the first year of the master's program, the fablab laboratory opened its doors to everyone.
Fablab "launched" in 2015 in the building within the framework of , the purpose of which is to increase the competitiveness of Russian universities on the world stage. The premises were equipped with places for working on a computer, and zones with machines and other equipment were delimited.
ITMO University students can visit the laboratory and use the equipment for free. This approach has helped to attract a large number of students and workshop into a kind of co-working, where you can exchange experiences, ideas and put them into practice.
the workshop of the university is to “lure” people with projects, help them bring their ideas to life, and, possibly, found a startup. The workshop hosts master classes on working with equipment, programming and TRIZ.
Workshop equipment
Before purchasing the equipment, the university management asked students and employees of ITMO University which tools would be most useful in the workshop. So in our fab lab MakerBot 3D printers, GCC brand laser engravers and Roland MDX40 milling machine, as well as soldering stations. Gradually, the laboratory acquired new equipment, and now you can find almost any tool for work in it.
Pictured: MakerBot 3D printer
The laboratory has printing devices assembled from DIY kits:
In the photo: a DIY printer created on the basis of Open Source developments
Many printers and other equipment are being finalized by students on their own, new equipment and fixtures are being created. For example, the printers in the next photo were assembled from the RepRap kit. It is part of an initiative to create self-replicating devices.
In the photo: DIY printers created on the basis of Open Source developments
The fab lab also has a UV printer and GCC Hybrid MG380 and GCC Spirit LS40 laser engravers, as well as various CNC milling machines.
Photo: Roland LEF-12 UV printer
In the photo: Laser engraver GCC Hybrid MG380
There is also a drilling machine, a circular saw and hand power tools: drills, screwdrivers, hacksaws. There is almost any power tool that must be in the workshop of any maker. The fab lab even has a styrofoam cutting string, which helps a lot with styrofoam modeling.
In the photo: Makita LS1018L miter saw
Also, the laboratory has several personal computers on which students are engaged in drawing, 3D modeling and programming. Now there are more than 30 items of equipment and tools in the fab lab.
In the photo: "computer class" fablab
self-inventor
Students 3D models, burn logos on boards, design art objects. Here everyone can work on a personal project, for example, print a figurine of their favorite movie character, assemble their own milling machine, quadrocopter or author's guitar. Laboratory devices, unlike "home" tools, help to realize the idea quickly, with a high level of accuracy.
The "products" of the workshop-laboratory are regularly shown at exhibitions and festivals. For example, at the July VK Fest they showed figurines printed on a 3D printer. But not only art objects and projects for the soul are made in the workshop. Students implement high-tech solutions within the walls of the laboratory.
During the first year of the existence of the fablab, a system was developed for organizing the microclimate in the Evapolar room. The project went to the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform and even raised the target amount. Also, on the basis of the laboratory, the project "Keyboards for the Blind" appeared and the solution was born — built-in automated decorative lighting system.
flash step co-founder of the laboratory Evgeny Anfimov. This is a system for lighting the stairs of multi-storey country cottages. The idea was even monetized - it is in demand among the owners of "smart" houses.
Also worth highlighting robot SMARR, which works on the basis of VR and AR technologies.
In the photo: SMARR robot
The development of the robot was carried out for two years under the guidance of the founder and head of the laboratory Alexey Shchekoldin. Ten students from ITMO University took part in its creation. They were assisted by university professors, in particular, the role of the scientific supervisor of the project was taken by Sergey Alekseevich Kolyubin, associate professor of the Faculty of Control Systems and Robotics.
A person controls SMARR using Oculus Rift virtual reality glasses. In addition to the picture from the robot's video camera, the user receives information (for example, tables with some data) formed using augmented reality technology. At the same time, the robot is able to navigate in unfamiliar places, using probabilistic methods to build a map of the room.
In the future, the authors of SMARR plan to sell the robot. One of the possible areas of its application is work in dangerous conditions, for example, on oil rigs. This will reduce the risks for workers during any assessment activities. The developers also see potential applications for their brainchild in the tourism industry. With the help of the robot, people will be able to go on virtual journeys. For example, in large museums.
In the photo: SMARR robot
More in fab lab startup 3dprinterforkids. Its founder, Stanislav Pimenov, teaches children the skills of 3D modeling and instills in them an interest in robotics.
What's next
In order to provide workshop visitors with more technological tools, we are studying the needs of other laboratories of our university. At the same time, there are plans to turn the fab lab into a small startup accelerator with a DIY bias. We also want to arrange more master classes and excursions for schoolchildren, and more often conduct practical classes for adults.
News from the life of our laboratory: , , и .
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Source: habr.com