Usage Guidelines

General Use

The Makerspace is open to the Cal Maritime campus community, including students, staff, and faculty. To use the space, simply come to our open hours.

Some tools require training to use, including the 3D printers, soldering irons, and sewing machine. Attend one of our tool workshops (listed on the calendar here) to get certified, then come in and use the tools during open hours while Makerspace staff are present.

  • Workshops are first come, first serve. Most workshops can serve three to six people at a time and run 30 to 60 minutes.
  • Workshops run throughout the year, so if you miss one, come to another!
  • We do not currently accept training from elsewhere on campus. To use the Makerspace's tools, you need training from the Makerspace to ensure that our safety and usage guidelines are followed.

We work together to keep one another safe and to keep the space running as a resource for all. We prioritize respect: Respect for the tools, machines, and supplies, as well as respect for one another and one another's' projects. You are expected to use tools/supplies appropriately, return tools/supplies to their assigned places, and to clean up after yourself.

During busy times of the year, we will prioritize coursework projects over personal projects, but we will do our best to accommodate both.
 

Events

Want to host an event at the Makerspace?  Fill out the CSUM Maker Event form at least two weeks in advance. You will hear back from the manager within two days. Events will be listed on the Makerspace's calendar.
 

3D Printing

We ask that you respect one another's time when the space is in high demand. 3D printing jobs are capped at eight hours. Prints started during off hours or over the time limit without prior approval will be canceled. Please pick up your print in a timely fashion.
 

Materials Availability and Storage

We hope to do our best to accommodate basic material needs, but our supplies are currently limited as we build up our stock. We will have a variety of adhesives and some PLA to start with. If you need something specific or a lot of something, we ask that you bring your own. For instance, if you know you will need a lot of PLA for 3D prints, we ask that you purchase your own.

If you are faculty looking to use the 3D printers for a class project, please contact the Makerspace Technician Josh Short (jshort@csum.edu) at least one month in advance to work out a filament plan.

Finished 3D prints will be set aside for pickup for one week. Currently, due to limited space, we cannot accommodate large project storage.
 

Safety & Emergency Protocols

We will be honing our system to keep track of the trainings individuals have received. During this transition, please bring your PortPass or another form of ID to the space. As we refine our system, we will clarify our usage guidelines. We adhere to Cal Maritime's existing Healthy & Safety policies.


General Safety

  • Ask for assistance if you're ever unsure of something.
  • Wear the correct attire and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the task.
  • Wear closed toed shoes in the space at all times.
  • Tie back/secure long hair and ensure that you have no dangling clothing/jewelry when using electronics equipment or working with power tools.
  • Wear safety glasses whenever there's a risk of flying objects, impacts, and/or liquids, including (but not limited to) working with electronics equipment, power tools, saws, or hammers.
  • Wear safety glasses when these activities are happening around you as well, even if you're not doing them.
  • Do not wear gloves when working with rotating tools.
  • Do not wear earbuds/headphones when working around tools (in order to be able to respond to emergencies/those around you).
  • Never work alone; make sure you have a buddy who can respond in case of emergency.
  • Maximum capacity of 35 people in the space at a time.
  • The use of drugs or medications that impair vision or judgement, and/or alcohol is strictly prohibited in the Makerspace at any time.
     

Safe disposal

Sharp objects, or anything that could piece or lacerate skin, garbage bags, or injure custodians, should be placed in sharps containers. Learn more info about waste diversion on campus.

Do not bring food or drink (exceptions allowed for Makerspace-sanctioned events) or animals (except service animals) into the Makerspace!

 

*Guidelines subject to revision by the Makerspace at any time.