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The Spark

Igniting the imagination through cooperative learning

Machining & Manufacturing

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

Overview on Machining & Manufacturing 

Welcome to The Spark's Machining and Manufacturing collection! We have CNC milling machines and Laser Cutters. All of our cutting machines are used to help you achieve different types of projects for class or personal use. We also have 3D printers and 3D scanners available for use. Users must bring their own materials for milling or cutting 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 monitor appointment to use our machines. Monitored appointments are for the Laser Cutter, CNC, and the 3D scanners. 

For our Laser cutters, you must book the machine to match your scheduled training or operator appointment to be able to use it. 

CNC Milling  |   Laser Cutting |  3D Printing  | 3D Scanning

CNC Milling

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

CNC Milling

We have three different types of CNC machines for milling. You can come to the Spark @ Discovery Park M152 and Willis 135 to try out your hand at our milling machines to use for test milling projects. Our machines can mill on a wide variety of materials, including Plexiglas, soft woods like maple and pine, plywood, soft metals like aluminum, rubber, cork, foam, and printed circuit boards. Users must bring their own materials and must be approved before use. You must bring your own drill bit, too.

You must first go through training and then book an operator appointment each time to use the CNC machines. 

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

Bantam

Bantam

Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Information

  • The Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine is the proven desktop machining solution perfect for prototyping in aluminum, other soft metals, plastics, and other materials.. 
  • Website: Bantam 
  • Quick Start Guide

Location Information

  • House Location: WILLIS & FRISCO LANDING
  • The Bantam Tools Desktop CNC is located in Willis Library suite 150 and Frisco Landing suite 150.

Bantam Othermill Pro

Bantam Othermill Pro Information

  • The Othermill Pro is a portable, precise milling machine that allows you to create 2D and 3D objects out of durable materials, such as wood, metal, and plastic, using digital designs. 
  • Website: Bantam Othermill 
  • Quick Start Guide

Location Information

  • House Location: DP
  • The Othermill Machine is located in The Spark in room M152 at Discovery Park Campus for In Space Use

Warning! Do not use the following materials with your Othermill: Glass, FR-4 (fiberglass) PCBs (use FR-1 only), ceramics, harder stone, wood with high-pitch content, and softer rubber products.

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

Carvey

Carvey

Carvey Information 

  • Carvey is an easy-to-use, desktop 3D carving machine for making ideas into real objects. Carvey brings out the maker in all of us.

  • Carvey is a 3D carving machine that allows you to make quality objects out of a variety of materials including wood, metal, and plastic. Using Carvey and our free design software, you can make jewelry, signs, toys, and even circuit boards. Schools use Carvey to teach students about digital manufacturing.

  • The Carvey was the most successful Kickstarter campaign in Chicago in 2014. In 2016 Carvey won the Core77 Design Award in the Open Design category whose underlying purpose is creation or recreation by the end-user, either through production (ex. 3D Carving), assembly (ex. DIY), or personal customization.

Location Information

  • House Location: WILLIS

  • The Carvey is located in The Spark in Willis Library 135 Northwest Floor.

Media

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

X-Carve

ShapeOko 2 Upgraded to X-Carve CNC

ShapeOko 2 CNC

ShapeOko 2 with Upgrade to X-Carve CNC Information

  • The unit is able to mill on plastics such as plexiglass; ​soft woods such as maple, pine, and plywood; soft metals such as aluminum; other materials such as rubber, cork, foam, and printed circuit boards.
  • Website: ShapeOko w/ X-Carve Upgrade
  • Quick Start Guide

Location Information

  • House Location: DP
  • The ShapeOko w/X-Carve Upgrade is located in The Spark @ DP in room M152 at Discovery Park Campus for In Space Use.
ShapeOko 2 CNC milling design
ShapeOko 2 CNC milling on metal
ShapeOko 2 CNC milling on wood
ShapeOko 2 CNC milling finished product

Laser Cutting

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

Laser Cutting

Take your ideas and turn them into real, tangible creations with our professional laser cutters. Users must go through training and then can book operator appointments to use the Laser. You must also book the laser cutter and match it with the date and time of your scheduled appointment. 

Note: The Spark does not supply consumable materials. Users must bring their own materials for cutting, and there is currently no charge to use the laser cutter. However, materials must be approved for use in the laser.

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

Laser Cutter PS36

 

Full Spectrum P-Series Professional Laser Cutter 

PS36 Laser Cutting Information

  • Files: Create files from most vector and/or raster editors including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Autocad, Inkscape, etc.
  • Cut / Engrave Size: 36” x 24”
  • Max Material Thickness: 0.5"
  • Materials: Engraves most nonmetallic surfaces such as wood, acrylic, leather, porcelain. 
    • NOTE: YOU MUST: Complete Training, Design Your File, and Supply Materials
  • Cutting: Up to 1/2" wood or acrylic
  • Cylindrical Surfaces: Yes, via rotary-attachment.

Location Information

  • House Location: DP
  • Laser Cutting is located in The Spark room M152
  • Must complete an in-person training and then can schedule a machine operator appointment. See engage page for scheduling.

Media

laser cutting

 

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

Laser Cutter PS48

 

Full Spectrum P-Series Professional Laser Cutter

 

PS48 Laser Cutting Information

  • Files: Create files from most vector and/or raster editors including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Autocad, Inkscape, etc.
  • Cut / Engrave Size: 48” x 36”
  • Max Material Thickness: 0.5"
  • Materials: Engraves most nonmetallic surfaces such as wood, acrylic, leather, porcelain. 
    • NOTE: YOU MUST: Complete Training, Design Your File, and Supply Materials
  • Cutting: Up to 1/2" wood or acrylic
  • Cylindrical Surfaces: Yes, via rotary-attachment.

NOTICE:

The LASER at Frisco Landing is OUT of SERVICE. We are investigating the issue and strive to get it back up as soon as possible. At this time we do not have an ETA for the laser at Frisco Landing

Location Information

  • House Location: Willis & Frisco Landing
  • Laser Cutting is located in The Spark room 150
  • Must complete an in-person training and then can schedule a machine operator appointment. See engage page for scheduling.

Media

laser cutting

 

3D Printing

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

3D Printing

3D Printing @ The Spark

There are an ever growing number of 3D printers in todays market. The technology is exciting and the use of the 3D modeling and printing technologies are rapidly growing in to a wide range of career fields. At the Spark we currently have fused deposition modeling or FDM 3D printers in our collection. FDM printers use a material extrusion process which involves the heating of a thermoplastic through the use of a hot end. The thermoplastic is generally referred to as a filament, and once it passes through the heated hot end it melts and is extruded in thin layers on to a printer bed. The Gcode, which is the coded language that tells the printer where to extrude the filament, outlines the steps for the printer building the .stl model layer by layer.

At the Spark we offer three styles of 3D printing services; Class Service, Full Service, and Self Service. Full service 3D printing at the Spark is designed to be a paid service. At $1 per print hour, the Spark staff handles set up of the 3D printer as well as oversite of the job in progress. On the other hand, The Spark offers access to Self Service 3D printers, which require training and check out, but allow for you to set up and manage your print on your own. The flexibility of the set up allows you to choose the service that will fit your needs. Class Service 3D printing is only specific for class projects. More details regarding each service is outlined on each tab.

 

Rules that Apply to 3D Printing

  1. The Spark has the right to refuse to process a print
  2. Absolutely no weapons or weapon like objects are allowed to be printed
  3. The patron is responsible for complying with copyright for any printed items
  4. Prints are not food safe or safe for any kind of internal use. 
  5. Fumes released can be toxic if exposed to high temperatures

image of Ender printers that are available for Self Service

MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!! 

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

Full Service 3D Printing

 

Full Service 3D Printing

The Full service 3D printing at The Spark, is processed through an online queue. Submission to the queue can be placed at https://sparkorders.library.unt.edu Full service within the Spark generally cost $1.00 per print hour and includes:

  • 3D Model Review
  • Materials Assessment
  • Machine Setup
  • Quality Control monitoring
  • Print options
    • Material selection options* & color choices**
    • Print bed upgrades
    • Specialty printers
  

Full Service is only available at our Willis and Frisco locations. If you want to pick up your prints at Frisco, please add a note when you submit your .stl file.

*PLA is the only material selection available for Full Service.

** Standard colors available for PLA are Red, Green, Blue, Black & White.

As of 9/27/24, these are all of the PLA colors available for Full Service.

  • Apple Green 1.75mm
  • Black 1.75mm
  • Black 2.85mm
  • Blue 1.75mm
  • Blue 2.85mm
  • Bronze 1.75mm *
  • Brown 1.75mm *
  • Burnt Titanium 1.75mm *
  • Clear 1.75mm
  • Cool Gray 1.75mm *
  • Crystal 1.75mm
  • Cyan 1.75mm *
  • Dark Gray 2.85mm *
  • Glow in the Dark Blue 1.75mm *
  • Gold 2.85mm
  • Gray Silver 2.85mm
  • Green 1.75mm
  • Green 2.85mm
  • Green Glow 1.75mm
  • Grey 1.75mm
  • Grey 2.85mm
  • Green Silky 2.85mm
  • Light Blue 1.75mm
  • Light Blue 2.85mm
  • Light Grey 1.75mm
  • Lime Green 1.75mm *
  • Lime Green 2.85mm
  • Lulzbot Green 1.75mm
  • Magenta Silky 2.85mm
  • Neon Green 1.75mm
  • Olive Green 2.85mm
  • Orange 1.75mm
  • Orange 2.85mm
  • Periwinkle Purple 1.75mm *
  • Pink 2.85mm
  • Purple 1.75mm
  • Purple Silky 2.85mm
  • Quantum White Green 1.75mm
  • Real Grey 1.75mm
  • Red 1.75mm
  • Red 2.85mm
  • Royal Blue 1.75mm
  • Silk Copper 1.75mm *
  • Silk Gun Grey 1.75mm *
  • Silk Silver 1.75mm *
  • Silver 1.75mm
  • Silver 2.85mm
  • Translucent Orange 1.75mm
  • Translucent Purple 1.75mm
  • Transparent White 1.75mm
  • Transparent 1.75mm *
  • True Blue 1.75mm
  • True Black 2.85mm *
  • True Green 1.75mm *
  • True Green 2.85mm *
  • True Grey 2.85mm *
  • True Silver 1.75mm
  • True White 1.75mm *
  • True White 2.85mm *
  • True Yellow 1.75mm *
  • White 1.75mm
  • White 2.85mm
  • Yellow 1.75mm
  • Yellow 2.85mm

Please see the information below regarding the 3D printers we have in our collection.

PolyPrinter 465DX

PolyPrinter 465DX Information

  • Pricing: Available for a charge of $1.00 per hour for your submitted print jobs.
  • ​Website: PolyPrinter 465
  • ​Print Area: 465 mm x 229 mm x 229 mm (18 in x 9 in x 9 in)

Location Information

Media

3D printing filament spools

 

PRUSA i3 MK3S with MMU2S

PRUSA i3 MK3S Information

  • Pricing: Available for a charge of $1.00 per hour for your submitted print jobs.
  • ​Website: PRUSA original with Multi Material Upgrade 2S
  • ​Print Area: 250 mm x 210 mm x 210 mm (9 in x 8 in x 8 in)
  • ​Print Volume: 11.025 cm3  of usable space

Location Information

 

LulzBot TAZ 6

LulzBot TAZ 6

LulzBot TAZ 6 Information

  • Pricing: Available for a charge of $1.00 per hour for your submitted print jobs.
  • ​Website: LulzBot TAZ 6
  • ​Print Area: 280 mm x 280 mm x 250 mm (11.02 in x 11.02 in x 9.8 in)
  • ​Print Volume: 19,600 cm3 (1,185 in3) of usable space
  • Layer Thickness with 0.5 mm nozzle: 0.050 mm to 0.5 mm (0.002 in - 0.02 in)

Location Information

 

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

Self Service 3D Printing

 

Self Service 3D Print Queue

Requires training. Schedule an in person training appointment.

The Self Service 3D printers at The Spark are available for trained UNT community members to use. Self Service is for those of you who are already familiar with 3D printers, 3D modeling, .stl file creation, Slicing and gcodes. Self service does require that you go through training, and that you consistently demonstrate respect for the machines, procedures, and best practices for using the printers. Self Service 3D printers are in space circulation items, which means the printer is checked out to you for use in The Spark location. Self Service is provided at no cost to you and includes:

  • Safety and use training
  • Orange PLA filament only

Circulation Process

The circulation process for the self service printers begin with a safety and use training. If you already have been trained the blue binder is always available at the front desk as a reference or you can request a retraining. Also, the profile for CURA is available for download here. It is highly recommended that you slice your file and have an idea of how many grams of filament you may need to complete your print before coming in to check out a printer/filament. 

  • Checkout
    • Checkout the filament and printer from the Spark service desk during makerspace hours
      • Training verification and authorization check is run at checkout
    • Complete a Self Service Print Sheet using the QR code by the printer
  • Printer Use
    • You load the filament
    • You load the model
    • You start the print- the printer will give you an idea of how long the print is going to take.
      • Note:
        •  The Spark is not responsible for the print 
          • Leaving it unattended is at your risk
        • The staff will stop a print if it is causing damage to the printer.
  • Check-In
    • You are responsible for properly finishing the printing process including:
      • Scanning the QR code to finish out the print details
      • Remove print from the printer
      • Weigh the print 
      • Properly unload the filament 
        • *May require heating up the printer prior to removal and then setting it to cool back down
      • Return the filament to the Spark service desk to be checked in

Ender 3 Pro

Ender 3 Pro Self Service 3D Printing

  • Access: Available for use. Important to note:
    1. We only have PLA filament for the Self Service Printers
    2. Orange is the only color available
    3. Training is required before use
  • Profiles for slicing files
  • ​Website: Ender 3 Pro
  • ​Print Area: 220 mm x 220 mm x 250mm 

Location Information

  • Willis Library 135 

Ender 3S1

Ender 3S1 Self Service 3D Printing

  • Access: Available for use. Important to note:
    1. We only have PLA filament for the Self Service Printers
    2. Orange is the only color available
    3. Training is required before use
  • Profiles for slicing files
  • ​Website: Ender 3S1
  • ​Print Area: 487 mm x 453 mm x 622mm 

Location Information

  • Frisco Landing 150

Ender 5

Ender 5 Information

  • Access: Available for use. Important to note:
    • We only have PLA filament for the Self Service Printers
    • Orange is the ONLY color available
    • Training is REQUIRED before use
  • ​Website: Ender 5
  • ​Print Area: 350 mm x 350 mm x 400 mm (13 in x 13 in x 15 in)

Location Information

  • Discovery Park M152

 

3D Scanning

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

3D Scanners

Turn real-world objects into digital files with one of our three 3D scanners. These machines can scan regular objects and turn them into files that you can edit, share, and use for any project you can dream up. One scanner is available for short-term loan and the other two are for in-space use only.  

You must first go through training and then book a monitored operator appointment to utilize the machine. See our Monitored Operator Appointments page for submission information.

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

EinScan Pro

 

EinScan Pro

EinScan Pro Information

  • Complete scan:12 minutes.
  • Object Max Size: 8" x 8"
  • Notes: Must complete a Work Order Request
  • Links: Shinning3D

Location Information

  • House Location: Willis
  • For use in-space at Willis Library 150 via a Machine Operator Appointment, after completed training.

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

Makerbot Digitizer

 

MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner

MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner

MakerBot Digitizer Information

  • Complete scan:12 minutes.
  • Object Max Size: 8" x 8"
  • Notes: Simple to use. No previous experience necessary. Outputs standard design files for use in most 3D printers.
  • Links: MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner | Manual

Location Information

  • House Location: DP
  • For use in-space at Discovery Park, Room M152. Must sign up for a training appointment.

Media

 

MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner scanning object
object on the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner
scan of an object on the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner
original object and 3D object

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

Structure Sensor

 

Structure Sensor Portable 3D Scanner

Capture dense 3D models with the push of a button. 3D scanning, augmented reality, and more for mobile devices.

Structure Sensor 3D Scanner

Structure Sensor Information

  • When used as a 3D scanner, Structure Sensor allows you to capture dense geometry in real-time. This enables you to simulate real world physics and create high-fidelity 3D models with high-resolution textures in seconds. 
  • The magic of 3D depth sensing begins with the ability to capture fast, accurate, dimensions of objects and environments.
  • Structure Sensor doesn’t just capture one dimension; it captures everything in view, all at once. Large-scale reconstruction tasks are easy with Structure Sensor.
  • Website: Structure Sensor
  • Info: Quick Start Guide

Location Information

  • House Location: WILLIS
  • Catalog Record: Check Availability / Place a Hold
  • Fines Rate: $10 per day late
  • Notes: The Structure Sensor is checked out as a kit including lightning cable, power adapter, USB hacker cable, precision bracket with aluminum latch, iPad mini, and user manual.

NOTICE: MACHINE DOWN FOR MAINTENANCE

Media

 

Structure Sensor 3D Scanner
Structure Sensor 3D Scanner
Structure Sensor 3D Scanner
Structure Sensor 3D Scanner

COMING SOON!

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