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The Spark

Igniting the imagination through cooperative learning

Crafting Prototyping

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Overview on Crafting Prototyping

Welcome to The Spark's Crafting Prototyping collection! We have a variety of machines that you can explore to fit your crafting needs. Our machines are used to help you achieve different types of projects for class or personal use. Users must bring their own materials for cutting or printing and materials must be approved before use.

In order to use the equipment, you must first go through training and then sign up for a monitored operator appointment to use our machines. Monitored appointments are for the Plastic Bending and Vacuum Forming machines.

Cricut  |  Hot Wire Cutter |  Plastic Bending | Heat Press |  DTG PrinterVacuum FormingVinyl Cutter

Cricut

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Cricut Explore Air

 

Cricut Explore Air Wireless Cutting Machine

cricut

Cricut Information

  • Bluetooth enabled, can pair with iPad app
  • Cut size ranging from 1/4 inch to 11.5X 23.5 inches.
  • We have several blades/tips: German Carbide, Deep Cut, and Scoring.

Location Information

  • House Location: FRISCO
  • The Cricut machine is located in The Spark at Frisco Landing suite 150. You must sign up for a training appointment before use.

Cricut Explore Air 2 Wireless Cutting Machine

Cricut Information

  • Bluetooth enabled, can pair with iOS, Android, Windows and MAC
  • Cuts 2x faster 
  • 6 tools for writing, cutting, and scoring
  • 100+ materials
  • Website

Location Information

  • House Location: WILLIS
  • The Cricut machine is located in The Spark on the first floor of Willis Library. Ask a Maker Tech. You must sign up for a training appointment before use.

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Cricut Explore Air 3 Wireless Cutting Machine

Cricut Information

  • Bluetooth enabled, can pair with iOS, Android, Windows and MAC
  • Cuts 2x faster 
  • 6 tools for writing, cutting, and scoring
  • 100+ materials
  • Compatible with smart materials. Read here to learn more: 
  • Website

Location Information

  • House Location: WILLIS, DISCOVERY PARK, & FRISCO LANDING
  • The Cricut machine is located in The Spark on the first floor of Willis Library. Ask a Maker Tech. You must sign up for a training appointment before use.

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Cricut Maker

 

Cricut Maker Wireless Cutting Machine

Cricut Information

  • Bluetooth enabled, can pair with iOS, Android, Windows and MAC
  • 12+ (for cutting, writing, scoring & other pro-level effects)
  • 300+ materials
  • Website

Location Information

  • House Location: FRISCO LANDING
  • The Cricut machine is located in The Spark at the Frisco Landing location suite 150. You must sign up for a training appointment before use.

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The Spark Artmark with a black background and images of various technologies including a microcontroller, soldering iron, spool of thread and needle, and a camera

Cricut Design Space

 

Cricut Design Space


Design Space is the Cricut application you use to create and plan out your designs on a canvas platform. This free app can be downloaded on any device and it is Bluetooth enabled. 

You must make your own account to be able to access the application and connect to the cricut machine.

You must sign up for an in-person training appointment prior to use.

 

The Spark Artmark with a black background and images of various technologies including a microcontroller, soldering iron, spool of thread and needle, and a camera

Materials

Materials

When you checkout one of our Cricut machines, YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN MATERIALS

Here is a list of common materials you can use on the cricut

  • Cardstock
  • Vinyl
  • Iron-on
  • Fabric
  • Paper
  • Poster Board

On the dial of a Cricut Explore Air Machine, you are shown the most common materials that you can use. There is also a custom option to edit the cut pressure on an existing material. You can also search on the software to see more compatible materials that can be used or click here

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The Spark Artmark with a black background and images of various technologies including a microcontroller, soldering iron, spool of thread and needle, and a camera

Mats

Mats

We have 4 different types of mats that UNT students, staff, and faculty can checkout while using one of the cricut machines. 

  • LightGrip (blue mat)
  • StandardGrip (green mat)
  • StrongGrip (purple mat)
  • FabricGrip (pink mat)

We have two sizes of the StandardGrip mat. We have the 12x12 in and the 12x24 in.

As shown in the picture below, the LightGrip mat can hold light-weight materials such as paper or light cardstock. The StandardGrip mat can hold medium-weight materials such as iron-on or vinyl. The StrongGrip mat can hold onto heavy-weight materials such as glitter cardstock or posterboard. The FabricGrip mat can hold any type of fabric materials such as cloth.

 

 Chart, treemap chart

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The Spark Artmark with a black background and images of various technologies including a microcontroller, soldering iron, spool of thread and needle, and a camera

Tools

Tools

We have many types of writing, cutting, scoring and decorative tools that you can checkout when using one of our cricut machines.

Writing Tools - To draw on your material

  • Fine Point Pens & MarkerWhich pens and markers can I use with my Cricut machine? – Help Center

Cutting Tools (Blades) - To cut on your material

  • Premium Fine Point Blade (Gold/Silver)
  • Deep Point Blade (Black)
  • Bonded-Fabric Blade (Pink)
  • Knife Blade (For Maker Only)
  • Rotary Blade (For Maker Only)

 

Scoring Tools - To score a dashed line

  • Scoring Stylus
  • Scoring Wheel (Maker Only)
  • Double Scoring Wheel  (Maker Only)

 

Quick Swap Tools (For Maker Only) - To create effects onto your material

  • Scoring Wheel 
  • Double Scoring Wheel 
  • Debossing Tip
  • Engraving Tip
  • Perforation Blade
  • Wavy Blade

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Precision Tools - Utilize to weed out your designs

  • Protractors
  • Tweezers
  • Scrapers
  • Spatula
  • Hook Tools
  • Scissors

Cricut Tool Kits

Cricut Information

  • Green case kits filled with many cricut tools to utilize on weeding and placing your creations on a variety of materials
  • Includes: Protractor, tweezers, scraper, spatula, scoring tool, hook tools, scissors, and precision tools
  • Website

Location Information

  • House Location: WILLIS & FRISCO LANDING
  • The Cricut Tool Kit is located in The Spark on the first floor of Willis Library & Frisco Landing.  Ask a Maker Tech.
  • IN-SPACE USE ONLY

 

 

The Spark Artmark with a black background and images of various technologies including a microcontroller, soldering iron, spool of thread and needle, and a camera

Blades

Blades

We have different types of blades that you can checkout when using our Cricut machines.

  • Premium Fine Point Blade -  Recommended for thin to medium weight materials such as cardstock, vinyl, iron-on, etc
  • Deep Point Blade - Recommended for intricate cuts on thicker materials such as chipboard, thick cardstock, foam sheets, etc
  • Bonded-Fabric Blade - Recommended for more intricate cuts on bonded fabrics or fabrics with an iron-on backer

We have two blades that can only be used when you checkout the Cricut Maker machine.

  • Knife Blade - Recommended to cut through heavier materials such as balsa wood or matboard
  • Rotary Blade - Recommended to cut through fabric that is softer and less-dense such as tissue paper

The Spark Artmark with a black background and images of various technologies including a microcontroller, soldering iron, spool of thread and needle, and a camera

Cricut EasyPress

Cricut EasyPress

This EasyPress can be used on any type of heat-transfer material such as iron-on or infusible ink for iron-on projects. 

Here is the Cricut Heat Guide to help you find the right heat temperature and time you need for your base material.

 

Hotronix Heat Press

Hotronix The MAXX Clam Heat Press

Specifications and Information

  • The Hotronix Calm Heat Press is easy to use and perfect for on-site heat printing for T-shirts. The size of the heat press is 15" x 15".
  • Website | Manual

Location Information

  • House Location: FRISCO LANDING
  • This cutter is located in The Spark room 150. You must sign up for a training appointment before use.

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Hot Wire Cutter

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Proxxon Hot Wire Cutter

 

Proxxon Hot Wire Cutter *COMING SOON*

Specifications and Information

  • The Proxxon Hot Wire Cutter Thermocut 115/E is used to cut and contour styrofoam and thermoplastic materials. It is ideal for building architectural models and prototypes as well as classic models such as railroad, plane and boat items.
  • Website

Location Information

  • House Location: WILLIS & FRISCO LANDING
  • This cutter is located in The Spark room 150. You must sign up for a training appointment before use.

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COMING SOON!

Plastic Bending

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Plastic Bending Machine

Plastic Bending Machine

Specifications and Information

  • This plastic bending machine runs on a standard of 120 volts and has a maximum operating temperature of 800°f. It is ideal for straight line bends or folds and it's capable of heating materials up to 1/2" thick.  
  • Works with all types of Thermoplastic materials such as Acrylic, PVC, CPVC, Polypropylene, and Polycarbonate
  • Website

Location Information

  • House Location: WILLIS
  • This plastic bending machine is located in The Spark room 150. You must sign up for a training appointment before use.

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COMING SOON!

T-Shirt Printer

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Roland DTG Printer

Roland VersaStudio BT-12 Printer

Specifications and Information

  • The Roland VersaStudio BT-12 is a direct to garment printer. This machine prints directly onto cotton t-shirts, apparel, tote bags, and other cotton products in minutes straight from your desktop.  
  • Support Resources

Location Information

  • House Location: FRISCO LANDING
  • This printer is located in The Spark room 150. You must sign up for a training appointment before use.

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Vacuum Forming

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Vacuum Forming Machine

Centroform Tabletop Vacuum Forming Machine

Centroform EZFORM SV 1217-110V Tabletop Vacuum Forming Machine

Specifications and Info.

  • Device Type: Vacuum forming machine 
  • Info: Description, Features, Specs
  • Depth of Draw: Up to 7"
  • Plastics: All formable plastics up to 1/4"

Location Information

  • House Location: WILLIS
  • The Centroform machine is located in Willis Library 135.
  • You must have completed training and should sign up for a monitored operator appointment prior to use.

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COMING SOON!

Vinyl Cutter

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Roland Large Vinyl Cutter

Roland Large Vinyl Cutter GR2-540 *COMING SOON*

Specifications and Information

  • The Roland GR2-540 is a large format vinyl cutter that is used for cut-only processes or a print-then-cut workflow. You can create vehicle graphics, signage, labels, custom clothing and more! 
  • Specifications

Location Information

  • House Location: FRISCO LANDING
  • This large vinyl cutter is located in The Spark room 150. You must sign up for a training appointment before use.

Media

COMING SOON!

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