About
Located on the first floor in the Business & Technology Center, the MakerLab gives Barrington Area Library cardholders access to a variety of cutting edge tools including 3D printers, a laser cutter, CNC machine, and vinyl cutter. The purpose of MakerLab is to provide space for customers of all ages to learn through making, using skills such as math, art, and design thinking, to complete self-driven projects. Staff are available by appointment to help develop a plan to make your work possible, but it should be noted that MakerLab is not a substitute for a full-scale production facility and limitations on materials and quantity may apply.
Procedures
Information updated October, 6 2022:
• MakerLab is open to Barrington Area Library cardholders.
• Masks are optional
• No food or beverages in the MakerLab.
Which businesses offer expanded services if the Library isn't the right fit for my project?
Manufacturing companies that work with individuals and small businesses can provide expanded services such as additional material choices or materials in larger sizes or quantities. If you are interested in learning more, you can find information about the companies below. The Library is not affiliated with any of these companies and this is not an endorsement of their services.
Ponoko: Laser cutting, injection molding, 3D printing, PCB fabrication
SendCutSend: Laser cutting, cnc routing, waterjet cutting.
Shapeways: 3D printing services, CNC machining, vacuum casting
Examples
Staff are always amazed by the creativity used to create projects in MakerLab. Use the examples below to get inspiration for your next project, and check out our gift guide for even more examples.
3D Printer Examples
Carvey Examples
Laser Cutter Examples
Silhouette Cameo Examples
Limitations
Appointments
In order to open the space up to more makers, there is a limit of 3 appointments, per person, per week. Only 3 appointments can be on the calendar at any given time. A cancelled appointment will count toward the weekly limit. Limitations are subject to change during peak times, notably during the months of November and December.
Independent use of MakerLab computers and software does not require an appointment.
Materials Purchased from the Library
See the chart below for details. Limitations reset after 30 days, unless otherwise noted. You may bring in your own materials, though limitations may still apply as we are not a replacement for a full-scale production facility. For questions, please contact Digital Services.
| Material Type | Limitation |
| 3D Printer | None |
| Buttons | 50 sets |
| Vinyl, HTV, Transfer Paper or Cardstock | None |
| Wood | 12 Sheets |
| Leather-Like Sheet | 12 Sheets |
| Glasses | 12 of each style |
| Leather-Like Notebooks | 8 total (4 per color) |
| Leather-Like Coasters | 8 sets total (4 per color) |
| Sublimation Paper | None |
Can I bring in my own materials?
Yes. For safety, all materials must first be approved by Digital Services staff before they are used with the Library's equipment. If any material is questionable or unknown to staff, we may refuse outside materials, but will make suggestions for a different choice of material, when appropriate. If you have questions about materials, please contact the Digital Services department.
If you would like to purchase your own materials, you might consider the vendors listed below, but please note that not all materials available for purchase can be used with our equipment.
What materials does the Library stock and how much do they cost?
Materials and Cost
To see samples of laser cut and etched woods, click: sample laser etched wood
3D Printing
PLA - $.10 per gram of filament
Button Maker
Button set - $.15 ea (includes shell, mylar, and pinback)
Silhouette
12" x 12" adhesive vinyl (sticker paper) - $1.00
12" x 12" transfer paper - $1.00
10" x 12" heat transfer vinyl - $1.50
12" x 12" cardstock - $.10
Laser Cutter
Half sheet or full sheet
12 x 24" Baltic Birch Plywood - $3.00
12" x 24" Hard Maple - $19.00
12" x 24" Walnut - $21.00
12" x 24" Cherry - $21.00
12” x 24” leather-like sheet - $4
8.5" x 11" Chipboard - $.10
Other materials
Pub Glass - $1.00
Leather-like notebook - $5
Leather-like coasters - $1.50
Sublimation Paper (8.5 x 11) - $1
Sublimation Paper (11 x 17) - $2
How do I design a project for the sublimation printer?
Sublimation requires a specific ink in conjunction with sublimation paper and a compatible object - learn more about compatible objects below. The print is transferred to the object using a heat press. Once the design is pressed onto the object, the ink will bond to the object itself, giving the product more durability than heat transfer vinyl or other similar techniques.
The MakerLab features a Sawgrass 1000 sublimation printer capable of printing on paper up to 11 x 17."
Getting Started
The printer accepts projects from a number of different software programs. A few of the most popular programs are Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Inkscape which are all available on our MakerLab laptops.
- Open the Sawgrass Print Manager Software.
- The screen may not change, but you can tell that the print manager is running if there is an peach and white icon with the letter P in the lower right corner of the computer.
- Either import a graphic into the software, or design your own graphic
- Adjust to your preferred size
- Go to File > Print > Sawgrass Print Manager and click print.
- The Print Manager will launch. Work through the on-screen prompt to select your material and choose J15120/21 S-RACE for the paper.
- Click print and your job will be sent to the SG1000
Compatible Objects
Objects must be rated for sublimation printing or infusible ink, which means they have a polymer coating or are at least 60% polyester. The materials are sometimes called sublimation blanks, so that is a term you can use when sourcing materials. Some websites that sell these objects are:
How do I design a project for the laser?
To learn how to design a project that will work in our laser you can:
Websites for artwork and design
How do I submit a 3D print?
- Find a 3D print on Thingiverse or design your own print in a CAD program like Tinkercad. The form accepts .stl, .obj, .scad files.
- Fill out our 3D print submission form
- Digital Services will put the job in a print queue. We ask that you allow a week for the job to be printed, but we strive to complete projects sooner.
- After we complete your print, staff will contact you via e-mail to let you know when and where you can pick up your print.
Equipment
(Updated December 13, 2021)
Barrington Area Library cardholders may use the following equipment. To setup a MakerLab appointment, please contact Digital Services.
3D Printers
2.25" Button Maker
Carvey (CNC Machine)
Heat Press
Mug Press
Laser Cutter
Silhouette Cameo 4 Desktop Cutting Machine
Sublimation Printer
We have 3 Lulzbot Mini 3D printers that have a maximum print area of 5.7" x 5.7" x 5.7". We charge $.10 per gram of filament use and prints must be less that 6 hours. For more information about using the 3D printers, please see the MakerLab policy.
Accepted File Format: Stl, Obj, Scad
Provide your own artwork and use the hole punch and button maker to create custom 2.25" buttons. This machine can be used independently. Instructions, measurements, and a template are available.
Barrington Area Library cardholders may use the Carvey to etch and cut out wood during a one-on-one appointment or during Carvey programs. Materials are available for purchase. Digital Services staff will consider materials brought in, but they must be approved before use with the equipment. For questions, please contact Digital Services.
Design software: Design is done in a web-based software, Easel. Some .svg files can be imported into Easel.
Accepted File Formats: .svg, or Easel files.
Barrington Area Library cardholders may use the heat press machine to adhere heat transfer material to a variety of fabrics. The Library has heat transfer material available for purchase. You can use the machine by speaking to a staff member at the Business and Technology desk and following these instructions: Heat Press Machine Instructions or watch this video.
The Epilog Mini is able to etch & cut wood up to 12" x 24" and can be reserved by appointment or used in Library programs. For safety, if any material is questionable or unknown to staff, we will not attempt to cut or etch it for any reason. If you have questions about materials, please contact Digital Services.
Design software: Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, or other vector graphics programs.
Accepted File Formats: .svg is the most common format, but we can work with a variety of vector graphic files.
The Cameo is a versatile cutting machine that uses software to cut intricate shapes, stencils, patterns, & designs on a variety of materials including adhesive vinyl & cardstock. Barrington Area Library cardholders may bring in & cut their own approved materials. If you have questions about materials, please contact Digital Services.
Design software: Silhouette America
Accepted File Formats: STUDIO3, STUDIO, GSD, DXF, PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF, TIFF