CU Makeathon envisions wearable future.

This CU Makeathon is a 30 hour make-a-thon where participants work together to build physical prototypes and mockups centered around a given theme.  This year the them was designing for the body/wearable technology. CU Makeathon was a very interesting experience as it was an event open up to a wide variety of ages. The MakerLab had the opportunity to assist participants in elementary school, high school, as well as college in their iterative design process. We took several printing orders and ensured that each team could quickly obtain their part so that they can continue assembly.

Participants where able to 3D print on the Ultimaker in house or remotely send prints to the rest of our 3D printers back in the MakerLab.  After prints were sent they could check their progress by watching the webcam on our website .

Although not every team needed a 3D printed part, we educated them and encouraged them to try 3D printing in the future as it unveils a whole new world of possibilities.

Celebrate your next birthday party with us!

WANT TO CELEBRATE WITH US? Our premium birthday party packages include:

• A 2 hour weekend Basic 3D Printing workshop specially designed for kids
• A full head to torso 3D scan and print of the birthday child
• A personalized key chain for every attendee of the birthday party
• A break in the workshop for food and cake! (Please note we do NOT provide food, cake, or eating utensils)
• Tables for all party materials.
• An expert guru that will provide a fun and engaging birthday party experience unlike any other you’ve seen before!

Please note:

• Participants must be aged 7 years or older in order to participate in a MakerLab birthday party
• We need at least one adult to stay with the group during the party.
• We can accommodate up to 15 individuals for a birthday party. Parents can participate too as workshop members.

If you are interested in scheduling a birthday party with us or have any questions regarding our packages, please email us at UIMakerLab@Illinois.edu and we will be happy to arrange a unique package that suits your needs and interests.

Here's some photos from a birthday party we hosted last Saturday!

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Ready to set up your bday party?

If you are interested in scheduling a birthday party with us or have any questions regarding our packages, please email us.

Watch a 3D Printer being built in the BIF Atrium

Update: 3/31 :Students had great fun at the event. Some photos from the event below, and some coverage on the Daily Illini as well.

Join the #DigitalMaking 2016 students as they build a 3D Printer from an ultimaker original kit right in front of you. The event is sponsored by Ultimaker, who donated the kit, and the MakerLab.  The event will be at the BIF Atrium from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm, March 28th.

We will have 3D Printing and scanning demonstrations and some refreshments as well. You can even get a free print of your head/bust scan, if you get all the questions right on a 3D Printing Trivia Quiz. Find out all about the makerlab, sign up for some workshops, find out about our two courses, Digital Making and Making Things, and learn about our new 3D Printing online specialization .

We will have Matt Griffin, the North America community manager from ultimaker with us to MC the event.

MakerLab_3DP Expo

Illinois MakerLab Supports Student Hackers

On February 19th-21st the Illinois MakerLab supported HackIllinois by providing our 3D-Printers and Guru's to help students rapid prototype their ideas. In the span of 36 hours, hackers were challenged to innovate, design and achieve.  HackIllinois was an exciting, non-traditional experience for students. This year, three initiatives were introduced at HackIllinois: Software, Hardware, & Open Source.

Approximately 900 students from all over the U.S. were in attendance.  Many students from other Universities and Colleges had never seen 3D printing before.  Throughout the weekend our Lab Guru's educated students about the technology and how they could use it to prototype and enhance their hardware hacks.

Now checkout how the Illinois MakerLab supported relay for life.

Setup at HackIllinois

Our Guru, Pranay, at work

Hackers learning about 3DPrinting

Illinois MakerLab supports Relay for Life

The Illinois MakerLab was present at Relay for Life, a cancer awareness fundraising event, on March 12th-13th. We set up a booth that consisted of two poster boards, two Ultimaker 2Go's, and some example prints. One poster advertised the MakerLab, and the other detailed how 3D printing is being utilized in medicine. We also prepared around 150 3D printed keychains. These keychains were themed to the event, and they were originally sold for $1. Towards the end, they were given away.

The traffic by the booth was fantastic. We were easily the most popular booth at the event, and there were over 1100 participants. Countless people inquired about 3D printing, and quite a few showed interest in the MakerLab. Since we were sponsors, our logo is on the back of the participant shirts!

Now check out how the Illinois MakerLab Supports Student Hackers.

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The Annual CU-Makeathon!

CU Make is a 30-hour make-a-thon that brings together the wider Champaign-Urbana and University design/maker communities to build physical prototypes. This year's theme is “designing for the body”/wearables, and various mentors and specialists will be present to interview, get feedback and test your design on. Workshops available range from an interactive wearables exhibit and 3D CAD modeling to e-textiles, Arduino, and laser cutting. This event is open to students and members of the public of all majors and experience levels. You can participate for half a day, a whole day or the entire 30 hours! For more info, visit makersuiuc.com/cumake. Makerlab is providing some Ulitmakers to the Make-a-thon, and we look forward to what creations you guys have to make! We encourage you to sign up.

The Flyer for the annual CU-Makeathon