Recap of your meeting with Port City Makerspace

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Apr 14, 2026, 8:00:44 PM (4 days ago) Apr 14

to Electronics Lab

Meeting Purpose Review electronics lab status and plan critical maintenance tasks. Key Takeaways - Laser Cutter at Risk: The laser cutter's electronics are at risk of overheating, and its hard limits are non-functional, creating a crash hazard. - New Focus Shim: A new, user-proof 9.1mm focus shim will be milled from HDPE to prevent incorrect use and protect the laser head. - Critical Cooling Fans: Cooling fans for the laser cutter and Shaboko controller will be installed immediately to prevent summer heat-related failures. - Lab Organization: The lab will be organized with new, consistent labels and a 3D-printed replacement drawer for the missing hemostat set. Topics Laser Cutter Maintenance & Safety - Hard Limit Failure: The laser cutter's hard limits are non-functional, allowing the head to crash into the corner. - Cause: The controller is not configured to use the inductive sensors. - Action: Enable the hard limit setting in the firmware to restore safety. - Focus Shim Redesign: The current shim is often used incorrectly (flat instead of vertical), causing focus errors. - New Design: A wide, flat shim milled from HDPE. - Material: HDPE was chosen over metal. - Rationale: HDPE is sacrificial, protecting the expensive laser head from damage if a user accidentally presses the bed button while the shim is in place. - Dimensions: 9.1mm thickness, as this is the precise focal distance required by the 2.5-inch (63.5mm) lens. - Electronics Enclosure Cooling: The electronics enclosure lacks a cooling fan, risking component failure as summer approaches. - Action: Install a fan to pull cool air into the enclosure, creating positive pressure to prevent smoke ingress. - Power: The fan will likely require 12V or 24V power from an unused pin on the controller board. - Regular Maintenance: Ryan has agreed to perform monthly maintenance using a paper checklist kept with the machine. Shaboko Controller Cooling - Overheating Risk: The Shaboko controller board is at risk of overheating, which could cause a complete failure. - Action: Install a small cooling fan directly on the board's heat sink. - Power: The fan can be powered from an unused pin on the board or a nearby power strip. Lab Organization & Inventory - Labeling: Replace all handwritten labels with consistent, machine-printed ones. - Method: Use 1.5" x 1" sticker sheets printed on the office toner printer, which is more cost-effective than a dedicated label maker. - Missing Drawer: A drawer containing hemostats ("chemistacks") is missing from the parts cabinet. - Action: 3D print a replacement drawer to restore the set. - Donated Electronics: A box of electronics (including a TRS-80) was left in the lab. - Action: Review the contents for usable parts before taking them to the Lenharth Systems recycling event in Barrington. New Volunteer & Class - Forrest Osterman has volunteered to teach the resin 3D printing class. - Experience: Has used a Creality Halot One resin printer. - Next Step: Alex will meet with Forrest to familiarize him with the lab's specific machines. Next Steps - Alex: - Mill a new 9.1mm HDPE focus shim. - Install a cooling fan on the Shaboko controller board. - 3D print a replacement drawer for the hemostat set. - Meet with Forrest Osterman to onboard him for the resin printing class. - Alex / Volunteer: - Install the laser cutter electronics enclosure cooling fan. - Team: - Enable hard limits in the laser cutter's firmware. - Create and print new labels for the electronics lab drawers. - Review donated electronics before the Barrington recycling event.