MakerSpace

wide view of makerspace including laser cutter, 3d printer, vinyl printer, computers

PRE-BOOK a time-slot to use the equipment

MakerSpace is a do-it-yourself studio where you can create designs and use the equipment to complete your projects. It's located on the 3rd floor at Central branch. Library staff are available for trouble-shooting help. Please check the equipment information for details. If you have questions about using the equipment, please give us a call at 905.639.3611 extension 1302.

We recommend pre-booking a time slot so that you have dedicated time to complete your project. Due to high demand, you may book two sessions maximum per piece of equipment daily.

3D printing: Please drop off your 3D design on a USB key at Central's MakerSpace. Staff will provide an estimate for the cost of the job and then contact you when your project is complete and ready for pickup.

Walk-in projects are available on a first-come, first-served basis if the equipment is available. You do not have to be a Burlington Public Library cardholder to use the MakerSpace.

MakerSpace Hours

Regular hours

  • Monday, Friday, Saturday: 10am-4.30pm; Saturday closed 1-2pm
  • Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10am-8.30pm
  • Sunday: Closed

Design & Production information

Design responsibly

Whether you are designing from scratch or using a ready-to-make pattern for your maker project, please be aware that the content must not be:

  • Prohibited by provincial or federal law.
  • Unsafe, harmful, dangerous, or threaten the well-being of others.
  • In violation of another's intellectual property rights; for example, the 3D printer and scanner may not be used to reproduce materials subject to copyright, patent, or trademark protection.

Production

  • Designs must meet the production requirements outlined in the sections below.
  • Laser cutter materials: Customers may buy project materials at the library or supply their own from the approved list - see Related links
  • Vinyl cutter/printer, 3D Printer, embroidery machine materials: Must be purchased from BPL. Customers cannot supply their own vinyl, filament, thread, etc.
  • Materials sold at the library are only for use within BPL's MakerSpace.

Equipment

Hardware: Epilog Mini Helix 24 - 40w CO2 laser

All designs are sent to the laser cutter using Corel Draw. Please make sure your design is in one of the following file formats:

  • For projects requiring cutting: .PDF, .CDR, .AI, .DXF, .SVG
  • For engraving-only projects: .PDF, .PNG, .JPG

Project Size:

  • Cutting bed size: 12" x 24"
  • Cutting thickness: 1/4" maximum

Production Cost: $5/every 30 minutes of laser cutting time

Materials Cost (includes tax):

1/8” Birch Plywood (1' x 2') = $9.75
3mm Acrylic: Clear (1' x 2') = $15.00
3mm Acrylic: Black (1' x 2') = $17.15
3mm Acrylic: White (1' x 2') = $13.25
3mm Acrylic: Yellow, Blue, Red, Green (1' x 2') = $14.55
Low Odour Laser Rubber (8.5" x 12") = $35.30
Mylar Double Thickness (8.5" x 11") = $2.90

Hardware: Roland BN-20 Vinyl Printer and Roland GS-24 Vinyl Cutter

All designs are sent to the laser cutter using Corel Draw. Please make sure your design is in one of the following file formats:

  • PDF, .CDR, .AI, .SVG

Project Size:

  • Vinyl printer 18" width maximum
  • Vinyl cutter: 22" width maximum

Materials Cost (includes tax):

Cutting Only: Black, White, Blue, Copper = $2/foot (length)

Printing & Cutting:

  • Permanent Vinyl (Matte or Glossy) = $4.25/foot (length)
  • Static Cling Vinyl (White or Clear) = $4.25/foot (length)
  • Wall Flair Vinyl = $5.25/foot (length)
  • Paper Adhesive Sticker = $5.25/foot (length)
  • Canvas = $7.65/foot (length)
  • Heat Transfer Vinyl = $11.65/foot (length)

Hardware: MakerBot Replicator Z18

Please make sure your design is in one of the following file formats: .STL, .OBJ

Project Size:

  • 11.8" length x 12" wide x 18" high maximum

  • The project must be able to print in seven hours.

Production Cost: $2.50 per 30 minutes of print time
Materials: We cannot accommodate requests for specific filament colours.

Hardware: HP Designjet T1300

All designs are sent to the printer via USB key. Please ensure your finished design is saved as a PDF.

Project Size: 41.5” width maximum

Materials Cost (includes tax):

  • Gloss or Satin Photo Paper = $13.55 / foot

Create your own customized 1.5” button. Print your designs at home, in the library or draw your own in the Makerspace. Use the die cutter to punch out your design and then assemble your button using the button maker. No experience necessary

Project Size:

Materials Cost (includes tax):

  • Pinback buttons = $0.25 each

Hardware: Janome Memory Craft 500E
Software: Janome Digitizer V5

Embroidery Size: 7.9” x 11” maximum
Production Cost: $2/every 5,000 stitches (or part thereof)
Acceptable fabric for embroidery machine projects:

  • Natural Fibres (Cotton, Linen, Wool)
  • Fine Fabrics (Silk, Satin, Taffeta, Velvet)
  • Knit Fabrics
  • Synthetic Fabrics (Blends, Rayon, Polyester)
  • Denim
  • Upholstery

Approved Materials for Laser Cutter Projects

Learn about the MakerBot Replicator Z18 3D printer

About MakerBot Print

Get ready-to-print 3D designs from Thingiverse

FREE online classes on Tinkercad

FREE 3D printing training & tutorials on LinkedIn Learning