IN DEPTH ON THE MACHINERY
Below are the links to the main machines and their specifications, as well as the software we use to run them. All equipment is available for individual and commercial use: individuals can use the equipment during open lab day’s, but they must document their work and share their knowledge!
For commercial use of equipment and space, there is a charge per hour to reserve exclusive time on the equipment, see costs page for rates.
For questions related to the Open Day only you can contact us here. This address cannot be used for anything else! For other questions please read our FAQ page.
1. To book a machine please e-mail: tania@makersvillage.co.za or paul@makersvillage.co.za
2. To make the most of your time in the Makers Lab, download this handy guide to get you prepared for our
machines and software!
3. To document your work at our website read our documentation guide.
Makers Village/ About Makers Lab / Machinery
WHAT MACHINERY DOES THE MAKERS VILLAGE USE?
3D Printer
3D Printer
LARGEST 3D PRINTER IN SOUTH AFRICA
Build volume: 1 cubic meter
Nozzle size: 3mm standard. Anything between 0.5 to 5 mm optional
Layer height: 2.5mm standard, Anything from 0.1mm to 3.5mm optional
Build material: ABS granules
Footprint area: 2 meter by 2 meter.
Flowrate: Anything up to 1 Kg. hour.
ABS granules are used as the raw product for filament, therefore our cost per print is significantly lower.
As standard, we use a 3mm nozzle and get a 0.5 Kg\Hour flow rate.
1mm, 2mm, 4mm, 5 mm, and 6mm nozzles are also available.
Sewing Machine
Sewing Machine
The Sewing Studio is equipped with straight stiFABlabh industrial machine, leather machine, button hole and sew-on machines as well as an overlocker. The machinery, all industrial grades, ensures manufacture of anything from upholstery, accessories, clothing, shoes and interior/exterior items such as streFABlabh tents.
Vinyl Cutter
Vinyl Cutter
This Milling machine is similar to the smaller MDX 20 but has a few extra features. It is capable of milling on a larger surface, milling harder material and is able to do rotational milling which is highly beneficial for bottle development, crockery design and engine part manufacture as well as positives on a larger format for soap moulds.
Laser Cutter
Laser Cutter
Laser cutters are among the easiest machines to use in a Makers Lab. A laser cutter engraves or cuts a piece of wood in the shape you decided on the computer. The precision is very accurate: less than 0.02mm. Other materials are allowed such as acrylic, fabric, rubber and leather. Laser Cutters are an essential tool for the manufacture of architectural models, larger engravings and stamp making as well as a new tool for jewelery, packaging and interior decor items.
CNC Router/Milling machine
CNC Router/Milling machine
This Milling machine is similar to the smaller MDX 20 but has a few extra features. It is capable of milling on a larger surface, milling harder material and is able to do rotational milling which is highly beneficial for bottle development, crockery design and engine part manufacture as well as positives on a larger format for soap moulds.
Microscope
Microscope
This Milling machine is similar to the smaller MDX 20 but has a few extra features. It is capable of milling on a larger surface, milling harder material and is able to do rotational milling which is highly beneficial for bottle development, crockery design and engine part manufacture as well as positives on a larger format for soap moulds.
Makerbot
3D Printing Machine
The MakerBot Replicator+ prints 30% faster than its predecessor and offers a 25% larger build volume. For greater reliability and precision, it features improved hardware, like a redesigned gantry and z-stage.
To ensure consistent performance, our new 3D printers and their subsystems were re-engineered and rigorously tested for 380,000+ hours across multiple facilities.
Save time and accelerate iteration by pairing the Replicator+ with MakerBot Print software and MakerBot Mobile. The Replicator+ is Cloud-enabled so you can control it remotely with MakerBot Print or the MakerBot Mobile app. With MakerBot Print, you can import Native CAD parts and assemblies, auto-arrange them during print preparation, and then print them on one or more printers. To get started printing quickly and easily, MakerBot Mobile offers an all-new guided wireless setup.
Desktop Subtractive Rapid Prototyping Machine
Desktop Subtractive Rapid Prototyping Machine
This Milling machine is similar to the smaller MDX 20 but has a few extra features. It is capable of milling on a larger surface, milling harder material and is able to do rotational milling which is highly beneficial for bottle development, crockery design and engine part manufacture as well as positives on a larger format for soap moulds.
Software
Lab-Supported Software
Inkscape is a vector graphics editor for 2D design
Sketchup is a widely used multiplatform 3D modeling tool
Sketchup Plugin to export .STL files
Sketchup Plugin to expot .DXF files
123D is a solid modeling software based on Autodesk technology
123D MAKE can make 3D objects from 2D flat patterns
123D CATCH can turn digital photographs into 3D models
3DTin is a very easy tool that allows you to design blocky things from your web browser
Sculptris is a very powerful and easy to use 3D sculpting software
Blender is the most widely used 3D modeling tool (beware, it has a steep learning curve)
Solid Edge is a 2D design/drafting software
DraftSight is a 2D CAD software capable of creating and editing DWG files
Art of Illusion is another multiplatform 3D modeling tool
OpenSCAD is a CAD program that uses a programmatic interface, not a visual interface
Gimp is a raster graphics editor
Replicator G is an open source 3D printing program used with the MakerBot
Arduino is an open source electronics programming platform
Python is a general-purpose high-level programming language
Eagle a schematic editor for creating circuit designs
Ngspice is an electronic circuit simulator
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Thank you again for your wonderful sponsorship! The winners were super excited, specifically our development school, who won the day visit.
This school is Makgetse Secondary School, and they have been participating in Expo for many years now. The learners are super enthusiastic, and despite their limited access to resources, they produce good quality projects every year. We feel that they are very deserving of the mobile lab's day visit.
I Makers Village took me under their wing in 2015 as an incubate. During my eight months in this program my Business YNOT Graphic Design has grown in leaps and bounds. I have the passion and the drive, but will most definitely not have reached this level of growth without I Make and Tania Bryant.
I Make have given me and my SMME business a platform to grow to the extent that I am now in a position to “Pay it forward” and help another upcoming Entrepreneur.
I got to learn about 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC, etc.
Makers Lab has changed my perception of what creative design could be and have acquired new skills that are scarce in the creative industry in South Africa.
I am grateful to be part in this amazing group of individuals, everyday is a lesson and like they say learning never stops.