About the GIX Makerspace & Collaborative Work Space
The Makerspace is a welcoming, active, and playful workplace at the heart of the Steve Ballmer Building and at the
core of the GIX’s making activities and collaborations. The facility provides a safe, well-equipped, and knowledgably
staffed environment in which users can explore the ways that traditional, contemporary, and emergent fabrication
processes and equipment can advance design.
The Makerspace provides an ideal environment to tinker, practice rapid ideation and prototyping, and explore new
ways of making and communicating ideas. Learners of all backgrounds and capacities can take advantage of the
facility’s comprehensive collection of tools and equipment, regular training and skill-building sessions, and
professional staff available to provide support and guidance on the safe and effective use of its resources.
Just up the stairs from the GIX Makerspace on the third floor is a collaborative workspace with dedicated desks for
Consortium members who wish to drop-in to work remotely, meet with student teams, or spend time working in
the Makerspace.
Consortium Member Access
As part of your Consortium membership we are pleased to provide the following benefits for up to five members of
your team:
- Access to the Makerspace by appointment.
- Access to drop-in desks in the third floor work space or up to five members of your team during business
hours (typically 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, reduced to 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and subject to
further changes due to Covid-19).
Conditions of Access
- Users must check in and out at the reception desk to receive an access card and badge they must wear for
the entirety of each visit. Users must also check in at the Makerspace, and are subject to all building and
Makerspace polices. - Safety orientation is required for all Makerspace users. Additional trainings are required for the use of the
Wood Shop, 3D Printers, Laser Cutters, and other labs and equipment. These trainings are offered monthly
on a set schedule. - Basic supplies and tools are provided to all users without cost. Fees for specialty materials, intensive staff
support or consulting, and access to specialty labs (e.g., PCB lab) will apply. - Membership slots are transferrable, but transfers must be formally requested and approved by GIX staff
ahead of time. Trainings must be completed by each individual who wishes to work in the Makerspace.
Tools & Equipment
Access to the Makerspace and basic tools and materials are included with the membership. Please note that
specialty tools require additional training and/or fees. Please consult R. Nicholas Ames for more information.
-
Laser Cutting
Glowforge Laser Cutter 40w
Universal Laser Systems Laser Cutter 60w
Kern LaserCell 400w -
3D Printing
Ultimaker 3 Extended (FDM)
FormLabs Form 2 (Resin)
Stratasys F170 (FDM)
Stratasys Objet 30 (Polyjet Resin) -
Plastics
Roland GX-20 Vinyl Cutter
Formech 16:16 Vacuum Former
Proxxon Thermocut and Thermocut E -
Sewing/Textiles
Janome Sewist
Janome MemoryCraft
Sailrite Heavy Duty -
Benchtop Electronics
Tektronix Oscilloscope, Signal Generator, Power
Supply, Multimeter, Spectrum Analyzer and VNA
Fluke 87V Multimeter
Hakko Solder Station w/ Smoke Absorber -
PCB Fabrication
ProtoMat S103
ProtoLaser U4
ContacS4 Electroplating System
MultiPress S
ProtoPlace S
ProtoFlow S -
Milling/Routing
Roland MDX-540 4-Axis CNC Mill
OtherMachine/Bantam CNC Mill
Bantam CNC Mill
ShopBot PRS Alpha CNC Router
Covid-19 Policies
The Steve Ballmer Building is governed by the policies and guidelines of the University of Washington. We are
able to provide limited access to the building for those who would like to take advantage of Consortium
benefits, provided that users adhere to specific guidelines, including the following:
- Training: All Makerspace users are required to attend a Makerspace training and all facility users
must have a safety orientation to learn about the building and Covid-19 related policies. - Masks: Masks are required in the Makerspace, in common areas, and whenever you are within 6’ of
someone. Feel free to bring your own mask, or you may pick one up or make one in the Makerspace. - Physical distancing: Take care to physically distance yourself when you are in the building, following
indicated routes, placards, and capacity limits. - Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently. Be aware of yourself and your surroundings.
Appointment-based access: Access to the Makerspace is provided by appointment only during
Covid-19. - Attestation: Attest in on the web site every day that you come in.
To learn more about building policies please see our Back-to-Work Plan. Please be aware that policies are
subject to change based on recommendations and requirements given by the government and public health
officials.
Getting Started
Up to five members of your team may sign up for access. We will follow up to provide information about getting started, including quarterly hours, policies, trainings, check-in, and orientation.