MakerLab Badges

Please watch this video before you make your first badging appointment.

Adjust volume in the right-hand corner to hear instructions.

About MakerLab Badges & Equipment Reservations

Learn how to use high tech equipment independently in a 2 hour (or less) training appointment. Once you earn the badge, you may reserve the equipment for your own use for up to 2 hours at a time.

In order to use the equipment, we require you to make both a Badging Appointment and an Equipment Reservation to complete the required training on how to use the equipment to earn the badge.
At that appointment all customers will be required to submit a form agreeing to CRRL’s MakerLab Agreement, MakerLab Guidelines for Use and Safety and Computer Use Policy before earning the badge and scheduling any future equipment reservations.
IdeaSpace is the only location offering MakerLab badging appointments and equipment reservations as MakerLabs in the branches are closed at this time.
To get started: visit the MakerLab Badging Appointment portal below.
After You've Been Badged: Make an Equipment Reservation below.

MakerLab Badging Options

All badges are listed in alphabetical order.

3D Printing

3D Printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is the process of creating a 3D object one layer at a time. 3D Printers use a 3D model to know where to print. To see what kinds of objects can be printed, check out Thingiverse.

Earning the 3D Printer Badge allows you to use our Dremel and Ultimaker 3D Printers independently at IdeaSpace.


Badge Requirements

  • Step One: Complete the three-part Level One 3D Printing Video Course on our YouTube channel here, opens a new window.
  • Step Two: Sign up for Level Two and demonstrate independent use of the 3D Printer to a staff member.
  • Offered at IdeaSpace
  • Grade 6-Adult

3D Scanner

3D scanning allows you to turn a real-world object into a three-dimensional computer model. The 3D model can then be 3D printed or imported into any modeling software, or even animated in programs like Blender.

Earning the 3D Scanner Badge allows you to use our 3D Scanner independently at IdeaSpace.


Badge Requirements

  • Complete the in-person Level One badging session.
  • Offered at IdeaSpace
  • For Grade 6-Adult

AV Booth

IdeaSpace has a 10’x12’ soundproof audiovisual booth for all your recording needs. Our studio desk is set up outside the vocal booth and comes equipped with a computer, monitors, and a Focusrite Clarett 8 PreX audio interface. Inside the booth are two condenser microphones, a 4k studio camcorder, and a green screen.  

Earning the AV Booth Badge allows you to use the booth and all of its equipment independently at IdeaSpace.


Badge Requirements

  • Step One: Complete the three-part Level One AV Booth Video Course on our YouTube channel here.
  • Step Two: Sign up for Level Two and demonstrate independent use of the AV Booth to a staff member.
  • Offered at IdeaSpace
  • Grade 9-Adult

Drawing Tablet

A drawing tablet is a pressure-sensitive input device that allows the artist to create digital art, animation, and 3D models with a stylus pen. Huion GT-220 Drawing Tablets are available at IdeaSpace.

UG-2150 Drawing Tablets will be available at Howell, Fredericksburg, Salem Church, and Porter Branches once MakerLabs open.

Earning the Drawing Tablet Badge allows you to use the drawing tablets independently at IdeaSpace.

Wacom Drawing Tablets are available to check out here. No badge is required.


Badge Requirements

  • Complete the in-person Level One badging session.
  • Offered at IdeaSpace
  • Grade 6-Adult

Embroidery Machine

Machine embroidery is a process that uses computer-guided stitching to create designs on various materials and garments. The Janome Artistic Digitizer software offered at IdeaSpace allows you to prepare custom designs for embroidering. Our Janome Memory Craft 15000 has multiple embroidery hoops, including an AcuFil quilting hoop. This machine also has free-motion quilting capabilities.

Earning the Embroidery Badge allows you to use Embroidery Machine independently at IdeaSpace.


Badge Requirements

  • Complete the Level One in-person badging session. Material is provided for the badging session only. You will need to provide your own materials for future sessions.
  • Offered at IdeaSpace
  • Grade 9-Adult

Laser Cutter

A laser cutter can cut or engrave a material using a high-powered laser to quickly create complex designs. Our Glowforge laser cutter is housed at IdeaSpace and allows you to engrave using a .jpg or .png file and cut using a .pdf or .svg file.

Earning the Laser Cutter Badge allows you to use our Glowforge laser cutter independently at IdeaSpace.


Badge Requirements

  • Complete the in-person Level One badging session.
  • Material is provided for the badging session only. You will need to provide your own materials for future sessions.
  • Offered at IdeaSpace
  • Grade 9-Adult

Serger

A serger is a specialty type of sewing machine. Sometimes referred to as an overlocker, it uses an overlock stitch that does not come on sewing machines. It uses three or more thread sources to create this overlock stitch and create a professional-grade binding for fabric.

Earning the Serger badge allows you to use the serger independently at IdeaSpace.


Badge Requirements

  • Complete the in-person Level One badging session.
  • Offered at IdeaSpace
  • For Grade 9-Adult

Sewing Machine

Using a sewing machine you can quickly sew or stitch fabric or cloth together. The sewing machine works by mechanically sewing the two threads together, and includes settings for custom stitches and length.

Earning the Sewing Machine Badge allows you to use our Janome Sewing Machines independently at IdeaSpace.


Badge Requirements

  • Step One: Complete the three-part Level One Sewing Machine Course on our YouTube channel here, opens a new window.
  • Step Two: Sign up for Level Two and demonstrate independent use of the Sewing Machine to a staff member.
  • Offered at IdeaSpace
  • Grade 9-Adult

Video Conversion

With the video conversion station, you can convert your old VHS tapes into .mp4 format. This allows you to preserve old videos digitally without worrying about them degrading over time. Bring a flash drive or cloud storage login to take your converted videos home with you.

Earning the Video Conversion Badge allows you to use the Video Conversion Station independently at IdeaSpace.


Badge Requirements

  • Step One: Complete the Video Converter Course on our YouTube channel here.
  • Step Two: Sign up for a MakerLab Badging appointment and demonstrate independent use of the Video Conversion equipment to a staff member.
  • Offered at IdeaSpace
  • Grade 6-Adult

Equipment Reservations

Once you earn the badge, then you can reserve the equipment to use on your own at IdeaSpace.

Maximum of 1 equipment reservation per day and 2 equipment reservations per week. Additional same day equipment reservations are possible if equipment is available. Contact IdeaSpace to request.
Equipment reservations are from 30 minutes up to two hours (3D printer is 2 hours but limited to one reservation per unit per day in case the job takes more than 2 hours). On the day of your reservation, if you need to use the equipment longer and no one has it reserved after you then you can extend your time.
Reservations are held for 30 minutes and then released if you do not show for your time slot.
If you have questions, email ideaspace.appointments@crrl.org or call IdeaSpace at 540-372-1144 x7800

This project was made possible due to the generous support of:

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