The Future of Oxford Hackspace

[Lauren Hutchinson]

Dear all,

It was wonderful and uplifting to see the camaraderie and excitement of all those who came out for the announcement last night at our event. Whether old hands or new, thank you and welcome to every one of you who took the time--looking out over all your shining faces was beautiful.  Thank you also to all those who couldn't make it, waiting out there with bated breath, who have supported us all along the way. Great things are in the wind for us, and a whole new stage starts now. :D

I know those of you who couldn't make it are wondering what was announced last night after all the fuss.  Well let me finally put you allll out of your combined miseries! :)

The deal is this:

Oxhack has a suitor. 

Three months ago, the Oxford Trust approached us about working together in partnership to found a giant hackspace and prototyping lab in Oxford to open early next year. 

They have identified a suitable 3,000 sqft. space somewhere in the city centre, and we're looking at it together to see what needs to happen to fit it out. 

At this stage I need to stress that absolutely everything is still in principle only, and nothing is locked in yet, but if all goes well this will be an amazing adventure for all of us.

They have offered to pay the rent, the infrastructure renovation costs, buy us the large and expensive tools we choose to get started, and provide us with ongoing funding for the next few years in the tens of thousands of pounds range.  The long-term goal is for us to be open to all, accessible, health-aware and financially independent.

They will have a kind of "innovation pipeline," with us at the bottom providing tools, knowledge and space to bring people in, and angel investors and business mentors at the top for those who may want to bring inventions of any kind, especially medical ones, to the world.  And we will be tooled up appropriately to do it.

At this time there is also a proposal for one staff member, either a half tech/half admin role or a full admin role, to keep everything going, receive people and school groups, keep an eye on safety, and deal with breakdowns.  Because of Science Oxford's education mission, there will be kids coding and working on Arduinos in parts of the space sometimes.  The space will be RFID-accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Since the time we were approached, we have been working flat out writing enormous proposals about the hackspace concept, culture, business models, income streams and most importantly, extremely awesome tools. 

This has been a massive undertaking, and my team of consultants on the coord committee, among the membership, and in hackspaces all over the world has been stellar and either confused or sworn to utter silence. ;)  Thank you all SO much!  To give you an idea, my tagline on the last tool models proposal to go in two weeks ago said "with input from Oxhack members, thirteen makerspaces, FabLab foundation documents, a NASA prototyping specialist, and two dozen makerspace equipment and fabrication experts from the UK, Netherlands, and US."  You should just see the lists and capabilities we ended up with.  Phew!

Seven days ago, the Oxford Trust board voted in principle to approve the collaboration and the budget for the tools we specified.

Technical assessments of the space will be underway shortly, and we'll find out for sure whether the infrastructure and laws permit everything we want to be installed.

And now the exciting part begins, assuming that you, the membership, want this and decide to pass it at the series of general meetings and the AGM that are coming up shortly.  Only members have a say in these meetings which determine our future, and you need to have been a member before the GMs to vote at them, so if you have been holding back on joining, go now and email acco...@oxhack.org to join. 

The brilliance and experience in our community are extensive; please join so that we can tap those resources and work together to guide this fledgling undertaking to greatness.

And now.....the TOOLS! :) 

(Keep in mind, these can, and almost certainly will, change at any time.  Maybe every time.)

Starting Tools

Lasercutter: Silvertail enormous A0 lasercutter from Just Add Sharks

3D Printer: Lulzbot Taz 4 (plastic, open source)

3D Printer: Little RP resin printer (stereolithography, open source)

CNC Router: ShopBot PRSalpha 96"x60" w/6" Z axis (workpiece size: bigger than your door)

CNC Mill: Tormach 1100 Series 3 Personal CNC (mill from circuit boards to hunks of titanium)

CNC Lathe: Duality lathe for the Tormach (separates from machine, see the video linked)

Bandsaw, vertical: Jet VBS18MW Wood & Metal Cutting Bandsaw (For cutting sheet wood & metal.)

Bandsaw, horizontal: Axminster Engineer Series UE-712SB Bandsaw (For cutting bar stock.)

Electronics Bench: De/Soldering, mats, bench supply, hot air, scope, reflow oven, ++.

Welding Station: MIG, TIG, stick, aluminium welding, plasma cutter, table & safety gear.

Industrial Sewing Machine: Brother Exedra F-40 (DB2-B755-403A Mark 3) with accessories.

Serger: Janome 1200D Professional serger and coverstitch machine (seams & ace quilt piecing!)

Kiln: PMT21 93.7L Kiln (work glass, metals, pottery, carbon fibre, make scientific parts, dies, etc.)

In addition to that, we've also specified computers and servers, CAM software for the CNC machines, possible programmable lighting to support healthy sleep cycles, and a very high quality dust extractor and air quality monitors.  Of the thirteen makerspaces consulted for this project, not one dealt properly with lung safety, whether through a combination of poverty, oversight, lack of permission from landlords, or just plain being young and stupid with their health.  We want to change that, to build a place where even pregnant women and other sensitive people can spend their days with the assurance of complete safety.  That is, we want to become a model for health.

So?  Fancy building your own bike parts in the kiln, carving every door in your home with dragons, replacing parts of your car with bespoke metal you've machined, punching out your own galaxy lamps as light plays across the ceiling, or creating enormous lasercut hexadecacopters?

Perhaps milling circuit boards and using the expensive scope and reflow oven to build your own Kickstarter is more your style....or perhaps curing an illness, solving a Millenium Problem or winning an X Prize is. 

Whatever your dreams, be warmly welcomed to the new Oxford Hackspace, where your only barrier will be yourself.


<3

Lauren

[Graham Klyne]

Lauren, this is amazing news.  Thanks for all the effort you've put in to this, behind and in front of the stage.

#g

--

[Victor Engmark]

What an absolutely awesome effort! And result! Thank you!

V

[Adam Hocking]

I'm so excited
And I just can't hide it!

Fantastic news Lauren, well done for working so hard on this.

[Chris Bird]

Absolute awesomeness. Big up!

[Martin Dehnel]

Yup, completely with you here. This is a fantastic proposal, and a brilliant direction for any Hackspace!

[Peter Lister]

If we're going to Big Up OxHack at Oggcamp this weekend, do we have an
official "press release"?

We have Lauren's email which is now public, as well as what she told us
on Thursday, but it would be good to have a slightly more condensed "30
second" version.

I note that the web site stills says "We've just moved into a studio at
OVADA". :-)

All the best,
Peter

[James Harrison]

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On 27/09/2014 00:06, Lauren Hutchinson wrote:
>
> I know those of you who couldn't make it are wondering what was
> announced last night after all the fuss.

Certainly - long time lurker here (I swear, I'll drag myself over to
the space eventually...); it's really great news to hear! Well done to
everyone involved in putting together the plan and securing the funding.

Really exciting news and it'll be great to see how it pans out.

- --
Cheers,
James Harrison
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[Ben Ward]

Blimey. Well done that lady (and team). Outstanding work, and great news that we're at the centre of something exciting.

I'd be interested in knowing more about the overall process and how this could be used for fun & profit. There are a number of things emerging in Oxford & the Thames Valley at the moment that are very exciting.

1. Oxford got a City Deal which equates to loads of funding to make things happen
2. The Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership is focusing on linking people up to make Oxfordshire a hub. There are startup vouchers available to get your business moving
3. Launchpad at Said Business School is offering free (for now) co-working to make a tech & other entrepreneur community - no university connection required http://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/community/school-university/collaborations/oxford-launchpad
   
4. Oxford Emerging Technology Weekender http://emergingtechweekender.co.uk/ is a 2 day hackathon happening at Brookes
5. Digital Health Hack http://www.meetup.com/Digital-Health-Oxford/events/207137902/
6. Digital Oxford are behind some of this http://www.digitaloxford.com/ and are a helpful focal point
7. Further afield, ConnectTVT Grow is a co-working space in Reading with some really interesting workshops and tutorials http://www.connecttvt.co.uk/  They need people to go down and get involved, make new connections and spread the word. There will be loads going on during the Thames Valley Technology Week in November including an Internet of Things day I'm involved in. 
8. Nominet and Love Hz are working on an open sensor infrastructure network to enable the local technical community to build their Internet of Things projects. Ask me about this!
9. Downstairs at the Town Hall in Oxford is being turned into co-working space I'm told. More info when I get it. 
10. City Council is also working on a Smart City vision with Oxfordshire County, Brookes and Oxford University which could turn the city into a lab, rather like MK:Smart. 

So to have Oxford Hackspace as the practical hub of this is really exciting and could make us experts that people approach to get stuff done. Like a geeky A-Team emerging from captivity in a heavily armed ride-on lawnmower.

I love it when a plan comes together.

Ben

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[Verity Sharples]

Lauren! What amazing magical news! I was filled with utter joy reading this. You all must be so excited! Are you happy for me to share this news and your write up or is it best to wait for more concrete plans?

So happy for you all!

[Lauren Hutchinson]

Dear all,

We can now announce the location of the new proposed hackspace that we've been working on to open in April 2015, as the non-disclosure agreement we had with Science Oxford was lifted on Monday.

The location in question is OCFI, the Oxford Centre for Innovation building, on New Road in Oxford city centre.  Here: https://goo.gl/maps/Tql12. 

This is currently Science Oxford's own building which they own, and we would be in the 3,000 sqft. basement after renovations.  This is a block away from our current OVADA site, directly next to the Castle mound, and diagonally across the square from the rail station.  The bus station is a short walk away as well, as are the bus routes to Witney and points west, and the place is easy to get to from the city centre by foot.  Our current geographic location is very good, but this one is even better!

We are looking at having some general meetings in the near future to do some necessary things for all this: to get a proper mandate for the move (at least I hope so!), to discuss details in more depth, to change our legal structure to something better-suited, and to sort out the leadership of the new legal entity.  I will post more here when we have details.  In the meantime, as the engineers complete their review of the building to confirm what will be possible in terms of electrics, noise, ventilation, and more things, this is starting to get exciting.


Cheers,


Lauren


PS. If you're on Twitter, please feel free to comment on this in the #oxhack tag, now that the Oxford Uni student hackathon called "Oxhack" has finished. ;)

[Peter Lister]

> We can now announce the location of the new proposed hackspace that
> we've been working on to open in April 2015, as the non-disclosure
> agreement we had with Science Oxford was lifted on Monday.

Hooray!

[Phil Armstrong]

On 08/12/14 17:05, Lauren Hutchinson wrote:
>
> This is currently Science Oxford's own building which they own, and we
> would be in the 3,000 sqft. basement after renovations. This is a
> block away from our current OVADA site, directly next to the Castle
> mound, and diagonally across the square from the rail station. The
> bus station is a short walk away as well, as are the bus routes to
> Witney and points west, and the place is easy to get to from the city
> centre by foot. Our current geographic location is very good, but
> this one is even better!

Fantastic!

Phil

[Chris Bird]

Awesome!

ps. if the hackathon insists on using "Oxhack" in future, maybe you could go with "Hackse" officially instead.... ;) Just a thought...

--

[Peter Lister]

Hi Lauren,

Just wanted to be the first to reply on the list. Ha, got that out of my
system.

> This is currently Science Oxford's own building which they own, and we
> would be in the 3,000 sqft. basement after renovations. This is a
> block away from our current OVADA site, directly next to the Castle
> mound, and diagonally across the square from the rail station. The
> bus station is a short walk away as well, as are the bus routes to
> Witney and points west, and the place is easy to get to from the city
> centre by foot. Our current geographic location is very good, but
> this one is even better!

The location is great and with my Code Club / Arduino workshop hat on,
I'm looking forward to the co-location being great too.

Will those of us who have not yet seen the new space be able to have a
short tour reasonably soon?

> We are looking at having some general meetings in the near future to
> do some necessary things for all this: to get a proper mandate for the
> move (at least I hope so!), to discuss details in more depth, to
> change our legal structure to something better-suited, and to sort out
> the leadership of the new legal entity. I will post more here when we
> have details. In the meantime, as the engineers complete their review
> of the building to confirm what will be possible in terms of
> electrics, noise, ventilation, and more things, this is starting to
> get exciting.

Understatement: I'd say it's been exciting for a bit. It's going to
start getting *really* exciting. I hope the excitement control can be
turned up to 11.

I've been waving my arms at various people and groups about this over
the past few weeks and everyone I speak to has been very interested. I'm
going to start forwarding them your announcement, so expect a few random
groups may be getting in contact.

Once again, thanks and well done to you and everyone else who has been
involved in getting us this far.

Peter

PS It's a good job we've got enough beer in for Thursday's social, eh?

[Yves Conan]

I have hackse.org if we ever decide to use it :)

---

From: Chris Bird
Sent: ‎08/‎12/‎2014 17:35
To: oxford-h...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Oxhack] Re: The Future of Oxford Hackspace

[Peter Johnston]

Hi Lauren,

At Uggcamp I spoke with several of your guys and they mentioned this project. They said there might be scope for some partners.

Last Monday I launched a Google Developer Group - GDG Oxford. At the presentation one of the attendees asked if I was going to link up with Oxford Hackspace and my answer was I would love to.

Google isn't just about software, but cutting edge products and I feel we could work well together.

But it also got me thinking about the Uggcamp conversations. We're looking for a spot to create a Developer Centre - with about six full time places and some drop-in capability. Aim is to have experts on tap which people can call on and create projects wirth. Thought it might be nice to co-locate if you have space to do so.

I'm also running a Future Developer programme to help young people understand what a Developer does and see it as a viable career. We're running this in the Launchpad but I'd be interested in widening its scope, possibly in conjunction with yourselves and Science Oxford.

Interested? Can we talk?

Peter

PS: I'm at JS Oxford this Thursday until 8:30 but could pop into OVADA around 9 if anyone is still there.

On Saturday, 27 September 2014 00:06:13 UTC+1, Lauren Hutchinson wrote:

[Peter Lister]

Hello Peter,

I was on the OxHack table at Oggcamp (and Code Club next table along),
so I probably enthused at you.

GDG sounds interesting - I notice that the intro session at St Aldates
Tavern was a week ago. Care to give us an encore some time? There'll be
people 9:00 onwards on Thursday.

What age range of "young people" are you thinking of for your Future
Developers? Would my years 5&6 Code Club group be interested?

Heads up: I'm thinking of 25 Feb for the next Code Pub in Oxford, trying
get folk from all the tech-for-kids groups in OX to have a beer or two
together.

All the best,
Peter

[James Southall-Andrews]

Nice too meet some of you at the social last Thursday!

I think this is a great list! Some things I have not checked out before =) Seems like you guys got it down.

An addition might be a machine to populate surface mount components on PCBs, to go with the reflow oven - also a microscope; I just had a look, at least one of these (£15!): http://www.amazon.co.uk/XCSOURCE®-20X-800X-Microscope-Endoscope-Magnifier/dp/B00N4N8KYS/ref=pd_cp_23_0).

I'm not sure if this idea would work well with the contract with Science Oxford; you can quite often get a good deal on decent machinery and hardware, if we are willing to wait around for it. Like old CNC machinery from Universities for example. We would get better value for money this way and make it go way further. Maybe Science Oxford has some good leads.

With this funding it would be great to invest some in something to sustain cash flow, whether its inventing a commercial product or resources to give sponsored workshops.

How are projects usually funded? Is there going to be funds put aside? It would be nice if we could use the funds dynamically to suit the interests and opportunities for all those involved. For example, there are large open-source robotics and biochemistry communities which require certain hardware to participate. Also, Oxford University is pretty hot on the robotics and biochemistry front.

James

[James Berry]

If you want a microscope for smt stuff, I'd suggest you look for something with a bit larger focal distance and focal range. I've been doing some smt soldering recently and found that style of microscope completely useless.

What I ended up using was a Samsung video presenter and a large TV for inspection - if you're looking for something for this specific purpose, you may find something more suitable.

James

---- James Southall-Andrews wrote ----

--

[Tim Stephens]

I've used magnifier goggles to hand solder smd parts in the past without trouble. Something like these (http://uk.farnell.com/edsyn/ma-1040/spare-lens-magnifying-4x/dp/4623149), although not exactly these. 

There's also no point getting a pick and place unless there are people who want to build large multiples of boards. They're too much hassle to set up and run and (since every board has different components on it) won't be appropriate for many things that folks want to do. Certainly any companies that become members would be better served by outsourcing to a proper assembly house. 

Tim

[Tara Martel]

Let me know when the new space opens and I'll see if I can get a few of the guys up from Reading for a social. I will also do a leatherworking/shoemaking show and tell too if enough peeps are interested.

I'd also be happy to keep an eye on your sewing machine as I know enough to service and maintain industrial machines.

[Kate]

ooh Lauren is going to LOVE you
we had someone come in one time and fundamentally trash her very high
sewing machine and leave us with a big bill because they wanted to make
some some stuff for sale and had already trashed their own kit!

So having someone who understands industrial sewing and dredgers would
be good

kate

[Kate]

if your seriously interested in pick and place there are various DIY
pick and place machines - however the tape supply machines to the pick
and place head seems to be entirely propriety and needs to be adapted
from existing kit.

kate

>> and email acco...@oxhack.org <javascript:> to join.

>>
>> The brilliance and experience in our community are extensive; please join
>> so that we can tap those resources and work together to guide this
>> fledgling undertaking to greatness.
>>
>> And now.....the TOOLS! :)
>>
>> (Keep in mind, these can, and almost certainly will, change at any time.
>> Maybe every time.)
>>

>> *Starting Tools*
>>
>> *Lasercutter*
>> <http://www.justaddsharks.co.uk/silvertail-a0-laser-cutter/>: Silvertail

>> enormous A0 lasercutter from Just Add Sharks
>>

>> * 3D Printer <http://www.lulzbot.com/products/lulzbot-taz-4-3d-printer>*:

>> Lulzbot Taz 4 (plastic, open source)
>>

>> * 3D Printer
>> <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/362246155/littlerp-affordable-flexible-%20open-3d-resin-printer>*:

>> Little RP resin printer (stereolithography, open source)
>>

>> * CNC Router <http://www.shopbottools.com/mProducts/prSalpha.htm>*:

>> ShopBot PRSalpha 96"x60" w/6" Z axis (workpiece size: bigger than your door)
>>

>> * CNC Mill
>> <http://www.tormach.com/store/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=32085>*: Tormach

>> 1100 Series 3 Personal CNC (mill from circuit boards to hunks of titanium)
>>

>> *CNC Lathe* <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_DTA2K8Pyg>: Duality lathe

>> for the Tormach (separates from machine, see the video linked)
>>

>> * Bandsaw
>> <http://www.axminster.co.uk/jet-vbs18mw-wood-metal-cutting-bandsaw>*,
>> *vertical*
>> <http://www.axminster.co.uk/jet-vbs18mw-wood-metal-cutting-bandsaw>: Jet

>> VBS18MW Wood & Metal Cutting Bandsaw (For cutting sheet wood & metal.)
>>

>> * Bandsaw
>> <http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-engineer-series-ue-712sb-bandsaw>*,
>> *horizontal*
>> <http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-engineer-series-ue-712sb-bandsaw>: Axminster

>> Engineer Series UE-712SB Bandsaw (For cutting bar stock.)
>>

>> * Electronics Bench*: De/Soldering, mats, bench supply, hot air, scope
>> <http://www.rigol-uk.co.uk/Rigol-Oscilloscopes-MSO2102A-S-p/mso2102a-s.htm#.VCWLNefOkuy>,
>> reflow oven
>> <http://www.beta-estore.com/rkuk/order_product_details.html?p=624>, ++.
>>
>> * Welding Station*: MIG
>> <http://www.oxfordweldingsuppliesltd.co.uk/tig-mig--plasma-machines/mig-machines-s-phase/gys-smartmig>,
>> TIG
>> <http://www.oxfordweldingsuppliesltd.co.uk/tig-mig--plasma-machines/tig-s-phase/r-tech-ac-dc-160>,
>> stick, aluminium welding, plasma cutter
>> <http://www.oxfordweldingsuppliesltd.co.uk/tig-mig--plasma-machines/plasma-cutting-s-phase/gys>,
>> table & safety gear.
>>
>> * Industrial Sewing Machine
>> <http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brother-Exedra-UBT-F-40-Lockstitch-Sewing-%20Machine-Auto-Foot-Lift-SOLD-/111123056287?pt=UK_CraftsCollect_%20SewingMachines_RL&hash=item19df73469f>*:

>> Brother Exedra F-40 (DB2-B755-403A Mark 3) with accessories.
>>

>> * Serger
>> <http://www.amazon.co.uk/Janome-1200D-Coverstitch-Overlocker/dp/B0037XQDB2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1411760435&sr=8-2&keywords=janome+1200D>*:

>> Janome 1200D Professional serger and coverstitch machine (seams & ace
>> quilt piecing!)
>>

>> * Kiln <http://www.paragonkilns.co.uk/pmtx.htm>*: PMT21 93.7L Kiln (work

>> glass, metals, pottery, carbon fibre, make scientific parts, dies, etc.)
>>
>> In addition to that, we've also specified computers and servers, CAM
>> software for the CNC machines, possible programmable lighting to support
>> healthy sleep cycles, and a very high quality dust extractor and air
>> quality monitors. Of the thirteen makerspaces consulted for this project,
>> not one dealt properly with lung safety, whether through a combination of
>> poverty, oversight, lack of permission from landlords, or just plain being
>> young and stupid with their health. We want to change that, to build a
>> place where even pregnant women and other sensitive people can spend their
>> days with the assurance of complete safety. That is, we want to become a
>> model for health.
>>
>> So? Fancy building your own bike parts in the kiln, carving every door
>> in your home with dragons, replacing parts of your car with bespoke metal
>> you've machined, punching out your own galaxy lamps as light plays across
>> the ceiling, or creating enormous lasercut hexadecacopters?
>>
>> Perhaps milling circuit boards and using the expensive scope and reflow
>> oven to build your own Kickstarter is more your style....or perhaps curing
>> an illness, solving a Millenium Problem or winning an X Prize is.
>>
>> Whatever your dreams, be warmly welcomed to the new Oxford Hackspace,
>> where your only barrier will be yourself.
>>
>>
>> <3
>>
>>

>> Lauren
>>
>

[bke...@gmail.com]

Hi guys,

I'm new to posting, I am an electronics person that works at the university. I've come to a couple of Thursday socials. Great work with the new space and tools!

My last job at ETH Zurich was to set up a university electronics fabrication facility (see attached proposal). I have researched Pick and Place and microscopes (and even X-ray) for SMT. We found a good Chinese PnP machine and we bought a proper inspection microscope from Nikon. I have a microscope that I am willing to donate, but it is missing the eye pieces, we would have to source and buy these.

Where are we with SMT pasting technology? Do we have a fridge for storing paste, and do we have stencil mounts and squeegees etc?

I am keen to come and do a SMT board soon. Also I think we discussed some decent bench-top instruments last time I was there?

Thanks,

Ben