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(readme) Lab Access and Machine Use

We currently have the following machines available for use by inducted students:

  • 1 Trotec laser cutter
  • 8 Bambu H2D Pro 3D printers

The Bambu H2D Pro 3D printers and Trotec laser cutter are available to students who have completed the relevant induction.

For booking instructions, please refer to the How to Use ORB page.

Access Requirements

To use the machines, you must first complete the relevant induction on ORB:

  • 3D Printing Induction
  • Laser Cutting Induction

Important: Inductions are normally delivered during the main induction periods at the beginning of the academic year and during the spring term. We do not normally run additional inductions in the middle or towards the end of the academic year.

If you have not completed the relevant induction, you must not operate the machines yourself.

If another CCI student has completed the relevant induction, they may help you produce your work. However, the inducted student must operate the machine themselves and remain responsible for the process at all times.

Lab Access Rules

Independent lab access is limited to approved experienced CCI students.

If you have been granted independent lab access:

  • Do not share your access card
  • Do not allow uninducted students to enter or use the lab independently
  • Do not allow uninducted students to operate machines
  • If you are helping an uninducted CCI student, you must operate the machine yourself and supervise the process at all times
  • Never leave the laser cutter running unattended
  • Never transfer responsibility for supervising a machine to another student without prior agreement from a technician

Repeated failure to follow these rules may result in your lab or machine access being suspended or removed.

How to Get Independent Lab Access

Completing an induction allows you to use the relevant machine, but it does not automatically give you independent door access to the lab.

To be considered for independent lab access, you must:

  1. Complete the relevant machine induction
  2. Complete several successful prints or cuts under technician supervision
  3. Demonstrate that you can correctly check and prepare files before fabrication
  4. Demonstrate that you can check the estimated job duration in the slicer or relevant software and book an appropriate ORB slot
  5. Demonstrate that you can operate the equipment independently, safely, and responsibly
  6. Receive approval from the Digital Fabrication Lab technician team

Once approved, you may be granted lab door access and permission to book equipment in advance.

Please note that walk-in availability cannot be guaranteed, so booking in advance is strongly recommended.

For booking instructions, please refer to the How to Use ORB and Book Your Slot pages.

Before Using the Bambu H2D Pro Printers

Before using a Bambu H2D Pro printer, make sure that you have booked a valid equipment slot on ORB.

Please refer to the Book Your Slot page for the correct booking procedure.

Important: Print jobs may be cancelled if:

  • The user cannot be identified
  • The required student Slack name or booking information has not been provided
  • The printer is being used without a valid booking
  • The person using the printer does not match the ORB booking

Please Do Not

When using the Bambu H2D Pro printers, please do not:

  • Log out of the Bambu admin account
  • Change machine settings unless instructed by a technician
  • Carry out repairs or maintenance yourself
  • Change or replace the nozzle yourself
  • Add, remove, or change filament unless you have been specifically inducted or instructed to do so
  • Use a printer without a valid ORB booking
  • Allow another student to use your booking or access card
  • Leave an uninducted student to operate the printer independently

Failure to follow these rules may result in your machine or lab access being suspended or removed.

Misuse and Access Removal

The Digital Fabrication Lab is a shared teaching and learning environment. All users are expected to follow the lab’s safety procedures, booking system, access rules, and technician instructions.

Serious misuse, or repeated failure to follow these requirements, may result in temporary or permanent removal of access to the machines or the Digital Fabrication Lab.

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