FAQ

Below are commonly asked questions. If you can’t find an answer to your question, contact us!

General MakerSpace Questions

The MakerSpace is free of charge for all current students, faculty and staff of Syracuse University. In an effort to keep our services free, we have limitations in place regarding material use.

The MakerSpace offers 3D printing, 3D pens, milling and machining equipment, laser engraving, embroidery, sewing, dye-sublimation, vinyl cutting, soldering, and more. For detailed information on all of our equipment in the MakerSpace, check out our equipment page.

The MakerSpace is located in Kimmel Computer Lab, below Kimmel Food Court.

Due to limited space, the MakerSpace does not permit storage of projects at this time.

Don’t worry! Stop in during our hours and see an employee at the workstation. They will help you get started and moving in the right direction.

The MakerSpace is meant for prototyping, not production. Multiple copies of a project must be approved by our staff.

The MakerSpace does not have materials available for purchase.

The MakerSpace is a place to learn and explore. We do not accept files online, and services are provided in-person only.

We welcome faculty to include the MakerSpace as part of their course curriculums. If you’d like to schedule a workshop for your class, please fill out our contact form.

We welcome tours to the Syracuse University community, the general public and both inside and outside organizations. To schedule a tour, please fill out our contact form.

3D Printing FAQs

For 3D printing, please bring in a .STL file. If you’re not sure on how to create an .STL file, please visit the MakerSpace during our open hours and connect with one of our staff members.

We have Inventor, Solidworks, and Fusion 360, on our computers in Kimmel Computer Lab. All of these softwares can be used to design a file for 3D printing. However, we recommend tinkercad.com for beginners. Looking for a pre-made file? Check out thingiverse.com.

Filament can be purchased on the lower level of the Syracuse University Campus Store located in Schine Student Center. If you would like to purchase filament through a different source, we recommend MakeShaper or MakerBot filament, as they have the best success rates. When purchasing filament, please pay close attention to the filament diameter and type based on the 3D printer you would prefer to use. An outline of specifications are available on our equipment page.

A description of our printers and material specifications are available on our equipment page.

Laser Engraving FAQs

A description of our laser engravers and material specifications are available on our equipment page. Note, we are unable to cut or engrave any material containing PVC or Vinyl.

A description of our laser engravers and their dimensions are available on our equipment page.

Embroidery, Vinyl Cutting, Dye-Sublimation and Other Textile Equipment FAQs

For dye-sublimation, only white or light colored, 100% polyester fabric will work. We also have a vinyl cutter that can cut fashion film as well as a second vinyl cutter that can print your design on a heat-transfer sticker. The vinyl will stick to any fabric of any color.

Your image/graphic will need to be digitized. Digitization is the process of converting artwork into a digital file that the machine can understand and know where to place the needle and thread. Please visit the MakerSpace during our open hours and connect with one of our staff members to digitize your file.

The MakerSpace is meant for prototyping, not production. Multiple copies of a project must be approved by our staff.