Lab Rules
Safety, supervision, cleanup, logging and reporting: the lab-wide rules for the Makerspace.
These rules apply everywhere in the lab (RM3125A, Academic Building). Each machine page carries its own full rulebook on top of these; this page is the consolidated set that applies no matter what you're using.
Safety
- Wear appropriate PPE when handling high-temperature materials (CoPE, ASA), and safety glasses whenever the laser is running.
- Never leave a running job unattended. Stay through the first layer of every print; stay with the machine for the whole task on laser and CNC jobs.
- Keep the emergency stop within easy reach on the Snapmaker, and keep enclosure doors closed during operation.
- Never leave a soldering iron on and unattended; return it to its stand when not in use.
- Unattended overnight prints require exco approval and a visible contact label on the printer.
Cleanup
- Clean build plates with 99% IPA before and after every print.
- Remove filament spools from the AMS after printing and store them in dry boxes with desiccant.
- Tin soldering tips before storing, and let irons cool before putting them away.
Log your jobs
Log every print job (material, duration, username) in the workshop registry. On the P1S printers, prints longer than 4 hours must be logged; laser and CNC jobs (material, duration, username) are logged too. The registry is how exco tracks wear, materials and abuse, so an unlogged job leaves a gap in that record.
Report problems
Report all hardware issues to exco immediately: clogs, grinding, calibration drift, AMS feeding errors, tangled spools, faulty soldering tips, unusual noises. Check the live status badge on the machine's page first; if what you're seeing doesn't match it, say so when you report. Ask the exco on duty, or message the WhatsApp group (contact details to be added).
Exco-only
- Firmware updates on any machine.
- Advanced settings and profiles (standard settings may be adjusted by trained users).
Machine-specific rules
Every machine keeps its full rulebook on its own page. Read it before first use: