MakerLab Featured in BizEd Magazine

The MakerLab is in the news again. This July/August issue of BizEd Magazine (the official publication of the American Association for Collegiate Schools of Business) published a one page overview of the MakerLab in its "Idea Exchange" section. This section features innovative new initiatives at business schools around the world. According to BizEd, "Submissions are selected based on the uniqueness of the program." We are grateful for the BizEd staff for selecting our Lab as their featured initiative and hope that the MakerLab serves as model for other business schools interested in exploring the emerging Maker Movement and understanding its implications for business thought and practice.

Songang Students Visit the MakerLab

Earlier this week, a group of students from Sogang University in Korea visited the MakerLab as part of their Certificate in Technology Management, which is offered through our College's Masters of Science in Technology Management Program. For nearly all of these students, this was the first time seeing 3D printing up close and personal. They were amazed by the possibilities of this new technology and were surprised that a lab such as ours is based in a business school (which is a common reaction among many visitors).

Things we Make: Replacement Parts

Many visitors to the MakerLab are intrigued by 3D printing technology but wonder how they could apply this new tool in their daily lives. One emerging application is replacement parts. For example, Swedish synthesizer manufacturer, Teenage Engineering, has replacement parts available via Shapeways. In addition to printing parts offered by manufacturers, if you have access to 3D design software and a desktop 3D printer, you can design and make your own parts!  This capability is particularly valuable if you are trying to obtain parts for an object that has been discontinued by the manufacturer. This happened recently to one of our friends, who owns a unique Sears Craftsman weedwacker that uses plastic blades instead of the traditional spool of plastic string. Our friend ran out of the original set of blades that came with the weedwacker. Unfortunately, Sears no longer carried this product or any of its parts. Fortunately, the MakerLab came to the rescue! MakerLab guru Danny used a shard from an original blade to design and print a suitable replacement on a Makerbot Replicator 2 printer. As a result, a defunct lawn tool was revived and given a second life. How many times has something like this happened to you? By gaining 3D printing skills, you may be able to replace rather than rebuy!

Come make something in the MakerLab this summer. We are open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 to 5:00.

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Drywall goes Up in our New Home!

A quick update on the progress of our new home in the Business Instructional Facility: --The frames for both our front & side doors have been installed

--Drywall is going up

--Electrical lines and outlets are being installed

The picture below shows the side entrance and north wall of our new lab. So far, we are on schedule for a move in by September 1. More updates to follow!

Things We Make

Cuddling Owls (Thingiverse Thing 50212, Designed by Moses) Super cute. Makes a great gift for a close friend.

MakerLab visits Innovation Factory, 3DPX and 1871 in Chicago

The MakerLab recently visited Chicago to connect with Makers at the Innovation Factory, 3D Printing Experience (3DPX) and 1871. Chicago is quickly establishing itself a hotbed of innovation and has a growing number of entrepreneurs interested in making things. We are also fortunate to meet several other entrepreneurs such as Zach Kaplan CEO of Inventables at the Illinois Manufacturing Laboratory listening session organized by Neil Kane. We are eager to connect with Chicago-based makers and facilitate their innovation activities. As part of this goal, we will be presenting an Introduction to 3D Printing and the Illinois MakerLab at the Illini Center in downtown Chicago later this summer. You can also catch us presenting at the Inside 3D printing conference in Chicago, on July 11, from 2:00 to 2:45 pm.   More details will follow shortly.