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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.