Scot Ackerman MakerSpace at Tulane University Wiki
A MakerSpace has been described as new amalgam of art, craft, and technology. Our goal is to serve all makers, and potential makers, in the Tulane Community. We do so by providing tools, assistance, and ideas. Commercial use of the MakerSpace is not allowed. If in doubt, questions about interpretation should be directed to the Director before a project is started.
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Just Getting Started?
Where are we?
When are we open?
Click on "MakerSpace Access" to see our hours of operation.
News and Updates
News
- In August 2018, four Tulane students represented the University at the Make48 College Challenge. The TV show filmed at that event, in Baltimore, was edited into 10 episodes, and will air on WYES and WLAE this Fall. Here's a brief video clip featuring the Tulane students and also a promo for the entire series.
- Our water jet cutter is in service. David, the factory rep, trained 16 users in two sessions. The machine cuts steel, glass, ceramics, aluminum and any hard non-porous material. Bring your material and a .dxf or .svg file and the Ninjas can help you.
- The 2019 Burton Morgan Foundation Novel Tech Challenge was won by two Biomedical Engineering students who developed and prototyped their project in the MakerSpace, and are now creating the initial clinical testing production run of their invention on our 3d printers.
- Jamie Milstein, a Senior in the Freeman School of Business, came to the MakerSpace a week before a pitch competition asking our Ninjas to teach her how to create a full scale model of her product idea. In three days, she learned how to use the 3D printers and made a great prototype. Then she won $10,000.
- The Maker of the Year Award recipient for 2019 is Lewis Greenstein. Scroll down to the photo of his winning submission.
- Our new Epilog laser cutter, with a 48"x36" bed, is in place and available.
- The MakerSpace is now the Scot Ackerman MakerSpace, after a generous gift from Scot Ackerman, a 1978 graduate in Biomedical Engineering.
- Weekly training on digital design software is now offered in our new Project Room on Saturday mornings. The sessions are followed by hands-on time in the MakerSpace to demonstrate what's been learned. Look at the "Training Courses" tab on the left side of the page.
- Prof. Tim Schuler organized a short course for faculty who want to use the MakerSpace. Tulane News captured Maker Ninja Kaleb Branch helping the participants learn to use the laser cutter.
- Our Make48 team, featured in The New Orleans Advocate and in this Tulane News story, is back from the competition in Baltimore. The TV show won't air until Fall 2019, so we can't say how they placed, but they are proud of their accomplishments. They're featured in this video promo.
- Tulane has been chosen as one of 12 schools participating in the Make48 College Challenge. Team members were announced on April 11. They are Luke Artzt (JR ENGP), Matthew Nice (SR BMEN), Kyra Rubinstein (FR BMEN) and Jesse Williams (SR ARCH). They will compete in Baltimore in mid-August
- Maker Ninja Chase Schober and Addie Duncan are featured in the April 11 Tulane New Wave.
- MakerSpace user Josh Ballagh has been building cosplay weapons in anticipation of Geek Week. His creations are featured in a Tulane PR story.
- To help K-12 schools in the region grow their MakerSpaces, we're leading an effort bring teachers together starting with Tulane's.
- We have yet another new 3D printer. This one's a Monoprice IIIP Mini Delta. For $160, the print quality is quite good. It uses a special version of Cura, available on the computer next to the Carvey. Here's the manual
- Riptide and President Fitts visited the MakerSpace to present the President's Award for Team Excellence to the MakerSpace Leadership Team.
- The Annual Report of the School of Science and Engineering featured two stories about generous donors to the MakerSpace.
- Our new 3D printer, a Prusa MK3 has arrived and it's set up to run. Instead of Cura, use PrusaControl on the PC next to the Carvey. Build volume is z=9.84" x=8.3" y=8.3" and the manual is here
- The MakerSpace is featured in the launch for Tulane's $1.3B fund raising campaign. Chase Schober, one of our Ninjas, is seen in the video and the web site mentions the NASA team in the MakerSpace.
- A new video, featuring Maker Ninja Antonius Prader, was produced by the Office of Admission. Shout-out to Justin Baris for organizing this.
- We have purchased a Carvey and a Formlabs SLA printer. Both are available to users with Digital-2_Training credentials.
- A 30-second video, featuring the NASA team, was filmed in the MakerSpace.
- The Tulane MakerSpace was recently featured as part of a tour for the Board of Tulane. The tour was well-received and many board members enjoyed discussing projects and tools with Chase Schober and Olivia Michael.
- We have upgraded our 3d printing equipment and filaments, and can now report that (almost) all of our 3d printers are reliably creating beautiful prints and we haven't had a failed print in well over a month of heavy use.
- The 2017 Maker of the Year Awards were announced on April 18. The winners of cash prizes are Chase Schober and Rae Mills. Scroll down to see their winning submissions.
- On April 12, 2017 Tulane's PR Office sent out a press release featuring a photo of Cody O'Cain's 3-d cosine map
- The March '17 TULANIAN magazine features the MakerSpace on pages 5, 7, and 11 of the print edition (pages 7, 9, and 13 in the electronic version).
- MakerSpace Digital Library is now available in the mezzanine area of the MakerSpace.
- The Hullabaloo (2/9/2017) reports on the MakerSpace as a place for collaboration
- Please watch our new (1/24/2017) video, featuring Maker Ninjas Afsheen, Ben, and Elise.
- And while you have a YouTube window open, check out the video of Tulane University's 2016/17 grand prize winning team submission to NASA's BIG Idea Challenge MakerSpace users designed and built a scale prototype for a modular spacecraft intended to ferry cargo spacecraft from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) To Lunar-Distant Retrograde Orbit (LDRO). MakerSpace Advisor Prof. Schuler was the team's mentor.
Upcoming Events
When details on the 2019 New Orleans Mini Maker Faire are announced, we'll post them here.
Maker of the Year
The 2019 Maker of the Year Award, funded by a generous gift from Lary Walker (G ’76, ’79) is presented to Lewis Greenstein (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Chemistry).
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Soft robotic actuator 
Cedric Walker presents the plaque, crafted by Prof. Tim Schuler, to Maker of the Year Lewis Greenstein
Lewis described his work: "This is a soft, pneumatically powered curling actuator for a specific research purpose, but it could be used in manufacturing or medical applications. I made this actuator by using multi-material 3D printing to create water soluble molds and cores printed in place with insoluble components. These molds were filled with a two-component soft silicone, and the polyvinyl alcohol mold and core were dissolved leaving an inflatable actuator embedded with solid PLA plastic components.
Architecture Laser Cutter
The School of Architecture's large format laser cutters are available to MakerSpace users. Currently they charge $10/hour ($3 minimum) for machine time; payable with Splash card or check. They have extended operating hours. Go to http://architecture.tulane.edu/dol/reserve-laser to schedule time on one of their three 36"x18" laser cutters. File formats are PDF or Illustrator. As with our Epilog laser cutters, use a line width of 0.001" to vector cut. Be sure to set your document size to their bed size of 36"x18" which is different from the bed size of the Epilogs. Bring your material and files (on a USB drive) to room 104 of Richardson Memorial Hall; student workers are there to help you get set up.
Links on this Wiki
- Hours, location, and contact information.
- Schedules and information on training courses offered in the MakerSpace
- Policy on payment for project fabrication - Tulane clients only
- Links and information concerning the tools we have in the MakerSpace, grouped by category.
- Information on safety procedures and training, plus links to instruction manuals for equipment.
- A list of software programs that are available to students, with notes on their use.
- Supplies on hand at the MakerSpace, and where to find them.
- Information about suppliers and other online resources.
- Samples of projects and instructions for doing them yourself.
- Access the digital library for MakerSpace books and resources
- Examples of projects built in the Tulane MakerSpace.
- Information on those involved in building, managing, and improving the Tulane MakerSpace.
MARS (Makers And Robotics Society)
- Connect with the Tulane Makers and Robotics Society.
- Methods for supporting the Tulane MakerSpace
The New Orleans Maker Community
New Orleans has a long history of artistic creation, and that creativity is now expressed in a vibrant maker community. The Tulane MakerSpace is proud to be a part of this community. Other members include
FabLab NOLA, at Delgado Community College, open to the community
Entrescan, professional advanced manufacturing services.
Real DFM, professional design and production studio
Makers of N.O., local Makers group
The Mystic Krewe of the Silver Ball
