The following is a partial listing of workshops and demonstrations that may be offered in the TekVenture Maker Station starting in early 2012. Your ideas for demonstrations and workshops are welcome!
Call 260.421-1374 for further information or input.
NOTE: (*) Workshop availability depends on availability of machines as TekVenture Maker Station acquires additional machines and tools.
MAKING THINGS WITH HAND TOOLS WORKSHOP
Drawing up ideas, measuring and layout, cutting, shaping, joining, fastening, assembly.
RAPID PROTOTYPING AND PERSONAL FABRICATION WORKSHOP
Thinking up things to make and making models of those things.
GETTING DIGITAL DEMONSTRATION
Learn how ideas are turned into models on computers and then how computers tell machines how to make those models.
GAD! IT'S CAD! WORKSHOP
Learn to make a design on a computer by using CAD or Computer Aided Design software.
CNC WORKSHOP
Learn how computers talk to and control machines to make things using "CNC or "computer numeric control" of machines. Compare "additive" and "subtractive" machines that all use CNC to create objects.
CNC MACHINING IN WOOD OR CARDBOARD
Design a sculpture and program a CNC router to "carve" out the parts from MDF, wood or plastic to assemble into the artwork.
CNC MACHINING IN METAL AND PLASTIC
Design a machine or part using CAD software; then carve the part out of metal or plastic on the CNC milling machine.
SQUIRT A MODEL THING WORKSHOP
Learn how to make a three dimensional object from a design on a computer using "3D Printing" with the Thing-O-Matic 3D printer. It squirts hot plastic to make the object.
THING-O-MATIC 3D PRINTING FACTORY WORKSHOP
Learn how to make multiple parts from one design (Patience required; 3D objects may take several hours to make depending on their size and complexity of surfaces.)
3D SUPERSIZE IT! WORKSHOP
Learn to make objects larger than the 3D printer by assembling different parts made on the 3D printer at different times to make one whole object.
EGGBOT DEMONSTRATION & WORKSHOP
Eggs, golf balls, ping pong balls, light bulbs: learn to apply digital designs to curved surfaces using this small laptop-driven drawing machine.
HOT CONNECTIONS: LEARN TO SOLDER WORKSHOP
Soldering is fun and easier than you think. You gotta know how to do it to work with electronic circuits and devices.
SIMPLETON CIRCUITS WORKSHOP
Learn about basic electronic parts while assembling simple, low voltage circuits, no experience require.
ELECTRO-SONICS WORKSHOP
Assemble simple electronic parts to make circuits that allow you to make and control sounds.
IN BED WITH CONTROLLERS DEMONSTRATION
Programmable, imbedded controllers are the "brains" controlling a device or invention.
ARDUINOS WORKSHOP
Learn to program and use Arduinos, a popular digital "IO " board to control your tech gadget.
CIRCUIT BENDING WORKSHOP
Give an old device a new purpose in life by "bending" its circuits to perform altered functions.
LASER MODELING*
Using lasers to draw, etch and cut images and parts to make things from thin materials.
COLD MOLDING WORKSHOP
Make things from molds using cold pouring processes.
INJECTION MOLDING WORKSHOP
Make small things, action figures, even small machines by injecting hot recycled plastic into metal molds.
MACHINING INJECTION MOLDS WORKSHOP
Learn about machining injection molds on the CNC milling machine.
SUCKING IT IN: VACUUM FORMING WORKSHOP*
Make molds by sucking heated sheets of plastic over positive mold forms.
GRAFFIC GRAFFITI WORKSHOP
Master graphic programs for large scale printing and light projection on buildings.
VINYL CUT UPS WORKSHOP*
Use graphic and CAD programs to design items to cut out on the vinyl cutter.
FLEXIBLE CIRCUITS & TECHNOFASHION DESIGN WORKSHOP*
Make flexible electronic circuits for clothing and other applications to cut out on the vinyl cutter.
ULTRASONIC WELDING WORKSHOP*
Cold weld plastic and other materials using high frequency sound.
SOUNDSMITHING WORKSHOP
Create sound sculptures from sampled and electronically generated sounds.
VIDEO TEK WORKSHOP
Explore video production and editing as a tool in sculpture, performance art and and installation.
INSTALLATION ARTMAKING WORKSHOP
Combine media, text, devices and objects to create art environments and exhibits.
PERFORMANCE ART TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP
Enhance your performance art with electronics and other media.
ITTY BITTY BOTS: ROBOTICS WORKSHOP
Learn to build very small simple robots both mechanical and electronic.
BIGGER BOTS: ROBOTICS WORKSHOP
Explore building larger, more complicated robots based on a variety of existing robotic technologies.