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The ECE (Electrical and Computer Engineering) Makerspace at UCSD is a space for students to get hands-on engineering experience in prototyping and fabrication. My job working at this space was to help with projects, fix machines, and to overall help the space work the best that it could. Below are projects I completed while working at this space to create improvements.
System Implementation
Plastic Recycling
Plastic Recycling
3D printing creates a lot of waste. To combat this I implement a PLA recycling system where we collect the wasted plastic from 3D prints, grind it up, melt it, and turn it into laser cuttable sheets. The sheets then can be used in our laser cutter, and the scraps from the laser cutter and go back to the PLA recycling.
Collect Scrap Plastic
Collect Scrap Plastic
Melt it Into Sheets
Melt it Into Sheets
Laser Cut the Sheets
Laser Cut the Sheets
Communication
Communication
I noticed that there was no way to tell the students that used our space to get announcements, ask questions, or talk to each other. I created a community discord server to make it easier to communicate for everyone. The server has important links, resources, FAQs, a project showcase and space information all in one easy to access hub.
The server now has over 200 members! Questions are answered more quickly- not only by staff, but other community members.
Space Organization
Inventory
Inventory
Our electrical components, organized by type in bins and labeled by part number and use.
To increase the ease and understanding of what materials the Makerspace had and needed, I completely reconstructed the inventory system for the space.
I created a color corrdinated sheet that show the general location, name, amount, notes, a more specific location, the last inventory check and the last restock for each item, material and component.
Digital Mockup
Digital Mockup
Orginal
Orginal
Orginal equipment locations, much of the space underutized and dead space
Reorganized
Reorganized
Equipment rearranged for optimal use, staff tools all in one area, tables clear, and 3D printing equipment by the 3D printers.
Signage
Signage
To make things easier to find I created signage for around the Makerspace, including a welcome sign with resources and hours, and labels for our tools and components.
Initial Inkscape mock up
Final sign, using magnets and dry erase
To be able to let the students know who is working and where to go for help, I made a "Whos on Shift?" board, inspired by the pokemon Tv show, as videogames is the theme of our space.
I also made the bottom of the board a hanger to keep our aprons and employee tags.
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