January 2017: Workshops - RaspPi, Arduino, Hard Drives, Vinyl Cutter

[Daniel Johnsen]

Howdy, y'all.

Thought I'd pass along an overview of some of the workshops happening in January 2017 to get the year started.

Longer descriptions, RSVPs, etc: 

http://www.lvl1.org/2016/12/29/january-2017-classes-raspberry-pi-arduino-hard-drive-installs-more/

So far here's what's on the calendar:

- Saturday, Jan 7: 3-8PM Speedy PC SSD Install Workshop! (only viewable on the LVL1 group calendar right now, hosted by Kevin)

- Saturday, Jan 7: 12:30-4:30PM - Arduino 101, Facebook link

- Wednesday, Jan 11: 6-7:30PM: Vinyl Cutter overview & personalize your own drinking tumbler, Facebook link

- Saturday, Jan 14: 12:30-4:30PM - Raspberry Pi: Getting Started Workshop, Facebook Link 

Be sure to pay attention to this, our Events calendar, Facebook, Twitter & Meetup.com accounts to find out about more as they are scheduled.

Let us know if you have any questions!

[David Wheeler]

I just discovered LVL1 and am interested in possibly attending a couple of your upcoming events, namely the vinyl cutter and Arduino workshops.  I made a logo some time ago that I'd like to turn into a decal, but I'm worried it may be too complex to cut and apply during the workshop itself.  It's all one color, but there are several free-floating sections that may take extra time (and finesse) to apply.  I've attached a mockup to help illustrate my point.  Would I be able to cut this logo at the workshop?

I've also got a question about the Arduino workshop.  I've wanted to mess around with an Arduino for some time now, and think the upcoming workshop would be a great way to get started.  Does the workshop fee include my very own Arduino?  If not, do you sell them on-site?  If I decide to bring my own, what model should I buy?  I've also got a bit of a computer conundrum—I saved up all my monies and bought the new MacBook Pro that only has USB-C ports.  If I don't have to bring my own Arduino, would I need to bring my own cable?

You're doing a great service for this community and I look forward to spending some time and money with you.  Thanks, and have a happy new year.

[Daniel Johnsen]

Hey David -- welcome aboard!

Just out of curiosity, how'd you find us?

I am leading both of the classes, so I'll try to help out with your questions.

Vinyl cutter

- For your vinyl cutter, yes you can cut that out of with our equipment, although we don't have that maroon color.  You can always order your own and bring it to our space and use the equipment for free.  We use US Cutter or Sign Warehouse for our vinyl; for $20 or so you should be able to get a roll that will more accurately match your color choice.

- It is always easier to start with a vector file (usually referred to as an AI file (Adobe Illustrator) or some other file than a PNG, GIF or JPG/JPEG.  We can convert your simple graphic over to a vector though and that will be covered as part of the class.  We'll use an open source graphics software package called Inkscape, you can download it and install it if you want: https://inkscape.org/en/ -- I'd suggest downloading it if you want to follow along with the hands on demo for the class.

- Other options -- it really depends on the use for the logo, if you wanted to have a large decal for a door, that will be easy and can be done up to 24" or 36" in width and length depends on the roll length (but you can always combine cuts and make one as large as the floor in a stadium), depending on which machine you use; we do have a large format printer too that may be able to accommodate adhesive paper like this.  We haven't tried it, so no promises.  If you're looking for big production we've used Sticker Mule before and there's a local company called Meme-Tech that does custom printing of larger quantities of decals

- I did a quick test conversion & cut of the logo, it took 2 mins total to do both; I cut it out about 2" in width; the outer circle didn't do so well because it is so thin and the letters are pretty small.  So for this, it really depends on the intended use, if you're looking to put it on a mug, that may not be the best case, you'd want to do screen printing (which isn't hard to do for small items like a mug).  Now putting this on a door, you'd be able to do no problem.

As for the Arduino class

- You can bring your own device or use one in our library of equipment.  You can always purchase one online via Amazon, EBay or other providers like Adafruit or SparkFun. Sometimes the clone Arduinos have difficulty connecting to various operating systems.  Words like Genuine are what you'd want instead of a clone for your first one; you can buy a kit too if you want to work more on your own after the workshop.  We don't sell them or keep any resaleable inventory.

- You'll need a USB (1.0, 2.0 or 3.0, not C without adapters) to connect to the Arduino.

- You can come with any level of knowledge or experience, we'll work through some examples, show you how you can find example projects and what to be aware of as you take a project someone has posted online and work with it.

Hope that helps & be sure to RSVP for the workshops as they usually sell out and invite a friend or two!

Daniel

[David Wheeler]

Just out of curiosity, how'd you find us?

I was catching up on old Science Friday episodes on my way back from NC yesterday and heard a segment about 3D-printed fingerprints.  When asked how accessible this technology was, the person being interviewed remarked, "it's not something you can do at home on a MakerBot."  It got me thinking about makerspaces in general, and LVL1 was the first hit when I Googled "Louisville makerspace." 

we don't have that maroon color

I've only ever printed it in white, but that's a bit hard to see in a browser.  I was actually thinking about doing it in black, but wanted to use my school colors in case someone finds it here and decides to steal it.

if you're looking to put it on a mug, that may not be the best case...putting this on a door, you'd be able to do no problem

How do you think it would fare at say, four inches in diameter?  Perhaps the better question to ask is how small things like lines and letters should be (or shouldn't be).  Maybe I can tweak my design or come up with a quick derivative.  If it just won't work I'll think of something else, but I really don't want to make a "David" cup.

You'll need a USB (1.0, 2.0 or 3.0, not C without adapters)

But it's the new thing!  Everybody needs the new thing!  You should totally get the new thing. 

be sure to RSVP for the workshops as they usually sell out and invite a friend or two!

Just booked both workshops, but my wife has officially noped out "massive nerdfest" so I guess I'll be nerding solo.

Thanks for the quick and thorough response!

[Joshua Wilson]

Hi everyone,

I won't be able to come to the vinyl cutting class tonight. If someone wants to take my place they are free too. I hope that I'll be able to come to another workshop at some point in the future