Manufacturing Lab Safety Training

Access

To access the manufacturing lab, you must have already filled out the DCI Lab Agreement Form and completed the manufacturing lab training quiz with a score of 100%.
- The quiz is on the DCI Lab canvas page.
This quiz covers the General Safety and Rules and Power Tool Trainings below as well as the Laser Cutter safety module.
Once the above requirements have been met, you will be allowed to enter the manufacturing lab and use the power tools listed below.

You must swipe your card to badge in when you enter the manufacturing lab to signify to staff that you have passed the training
Start cleaning at least 10 minutes prior to leaving the space. It is not acceptable to leave tools out or sawdust everywhere.
Do not remove tools from the Manufacturing Lab.
Safety glasses are required in the manufacturing lab at all times. Everyday eyeglasses are not safety glasses!
- Please provide your own safety glasses. There will be some loaners available for short term use, please wipe them down after use.
No food or drink in the makerspace. Closed top drink containers are acceptable.
No open-toed shoes, flip-flops, sandals, loose clothing, or heels.
Tie back long hair securely.
Never use tools or equipment while tired, distracted, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Do not force equipment or tools. Ask a staff member for assistance if you encounter any difficulties in operation.
Only specified equipment may be left running unattended, for all other equipment ensure that it is OFF before walking away.
Certain equipment may only be operated under staff supervision. Please refer to the training guides and rules for each of the equipment to find out more.
Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn when required. These will be indicated in the training for each of the equipment as well as with stickers on the equipment.

We have both screwdriver bits and drill bits so choose the appropriate one based on your need
Loosen the chuck to make space for the bit and insert it as far as it can go. Make sure it’s centered and not angled. Then twist the chuck to tightly close it around the drill bit.
Make sure the battery is connected and not loose.
Ensure that the forward/reverse switch is in the correct position.
Adjust the clutch torque selector to change the drill’s speed.
- Go with higher speeds for drilling.
- Stick with lower speeds for driving a screw.
Position the drill so your screw or hole will be straight and gently pull the trigger to start with a low speed. As you get further into the material, you can speed up.
Use two hands to hold the drill for stability.

Choose an appropriate grit sandpaper for your task
- Ask staff for other sandpaper if you want to change it
Our orbital sander uses a hook and loop system so you can peel off the old sandpaper and replace it if needed.
Make sure the vacuum is connected to the sander and turned on to help remove some of the sawdust.
Make sure your workpiece is either fixed or you are holding it firmly.
Switch the sander on and test that it works as expected.
Since orbital sanders can be used with any kind of motion, sand the surface in the direction that works best with the material.
This tool creates a lot of dust, always clean up after you’re done.

Choose the correct bit for your project. We have bits for different tasks including carving and engraving, routing, drilling, and polishing.
To remove or replace bits, there is a button that detaches the tool bits.
Gloves are recommended while operating the tool to protect from debris and sharp edges.
Avoid using the Dremel for long or large cuts that would be better suited to a larger saw.
Secure the object you are cutting with a vise or clamps, not with your hand.
Set the speed appropriately for the bit and material.

Ensure that the jigsaw is the appropriate saw for your type of cut. Jigsaws are best used for cutting shapes and curves in wood with its narrow blade.
Choose the appropriate blade for your material. Ask a staff member for a blade.
Clamp your material firmly to a workstation.
Rest the saw shoe (baseplate) on the edge of the material and near the cutting line.
With the blade next to but not touching the workpiece, pull the trigger and get the saw to full speed.
Guide the saw along the outside of the cutting line, keeping the shoe flat. Don’t push with too much force.
When finished, release the trigger to stop the blade. Wait for the blade to completely stop before lifting the saw from a cut.

Ensure that the reciprocating saw is the appropriate saw for your type of cut. Reciprocating saws are best used for shorter, tough-to-reach cuts.
Choose the appropriate blade for your material. Ask a staff member for the blades.
To replace the blade, lift the locking lever and place the blade in, in the orientation that you would like to cut in. Push the lever down and ensure that the blade does not come out.
Hold the saw similar to a shotgun, with the non-dominant hand holding the bottom front of the saw while the dominant hand rests back on the grip and trigger.
Pull the trigger until the saw has reached full power before bringing the saw into contact with your material.
Only slight pressure is needed, let the saw do the work. Do not force the saw as it can cause the blade to bend.

Ensure that the belt/disc sander is the appropriate tool for your job. The belt/disc sander removes a lot of material, quickly and with a rougher finish.
Turning on the switch will power both the belt and disc portions of the sander.
Be sure to turn on the vacuum below the table before using.
When using the belt sander, hold your material down against the table and push the material towards the sander. Never hold your material in the air and press it against the belt, the belt’s downward motion can pull the material out of your hands.
When using the disc sander, be sure to use the side of the disc that is rotating down toward the table. Using the other side can cause your part to be flung upwards.
Similar to the belt sander, when using the disc sander, keep your material held against the table.
The table can be adjusted to get different angled cuts.
Always clean up any mess after, as these tools can create a lot of sawdust.

Buffers are used to polish your parts once it has been sanded through many different grits. We have a guide for plastic parts here.
Ensure you are using the correct wheel, speed, and buffing compound for the material you are using.
When holding the workpiece up to the buffing wheel, ensure that you are holding the workpiece to the lower portion of the wheel when it is rotating towards you.

This piece of equipment may not be used without staff supervision!
Mark where to cut on your board. Place the board flush against the saw fence at the back of the base.
Lower the saw before it is on, to check the point where the blade meets the wood.
When it is in the correct location, either clamp the board down (if available) or brace firmly into position with your hands at least six inches away from the blade.
Raise the handle and engage the trigger to allow the motor to reach full operating speed.
Lower the blade until it passes through the board. Do not apply to much downward pressure, let the saw do the work.
Release the trigger when the blade has completed the cut.
Allow the blade to stop rotating completely before raising the handle.
Unplug the saw when not in use.