What software is available at CCI?

We have a range of equipment on site, we do everything we can to minimise the cost, and as such all equiptment is free to use and some consumables are provided.

Some equiptment will require a safety induction before operation, if you wish to use any equipment please ask a technician first.

High-power desktop computers
Laptops
3D printing
Pen plotter
Vinyl cutter
Soldering station
Electronics bench
Laser cutter
Sewing machine
Embroidery machine
Knitting machine
VR headset

High-power desktop computers

We have numerous high spec Windows 10 workstations with 4K monitors attached. There is a range of software available

Laptops

We operate a laptop locker system that issued Apple MacBook Pro 13" (Intel) laptops out for 5 hours at a time (about the time the battery lasts), the laptops can be used anywhere on site and provides access to all the software you need to undertake your class.

There is no late fee, but we do not issue chargers out with the laptops to discourage people taking them home.

3D printing

We operate a number of Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printers.

2x Prusa i3 MK3S+
1x Prusa MINI+

These printers can be used with Prusa Sli3r or Ultimaker Cura, the printers are configured with Octoprint which allows network control, meaning using Ultimaker Cura integrates nicely.

All three printers use 1.75mm filament, we only allow the use of plain PLA filament in our machines, filament with flakes of metal, glitter, or other materials can damage the machine and we don't allow these to be used. We only allow PLA due to fumes caused by other types of filament.

Within reason there is no cost to using the 3D printer, we provide black and white filament as standard and some other colours may be available from other projects.

Pen plotter

We have a Evil Mad Scientist AxiDraw V3 A3 this machine can be used at no cost other than providing your own paper and pens.

You will need to install the AxiDraw software.

Vinyl cutter

We have a [Silhouette Cameo 4](Silhouette Cameo 4 Digital) vinyl cutter which can also operate as a pen plotter (although in a more limited fashion).

There is no cost to using the vinyl cutter, blades and a selection of vinyl colours are provided, with matt black and matt white being kept in stock most of the time.

The machine can be used by creating a vector drawing in software like Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Affinity Designer, or Inkscape. The file is then saved as a .dxf format file which can be loaded with the free Silhouette Studio software.

There is also a license for Silhouette CONNECT software available to enable direct cutting from Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW if necessary.

Soldering station

There are a number of Hakko FX-951 temprature controlled soldering stations available, the soldering irons are only to be used for lead free soldering, CCI provides lead-free rosin-free solder.

There is no cost to using the soldering irons at CCI, the tips, solder, wire, and other common consumables like LEDs, resistors, headers, etc... are provided within reason.

Electronics bench

There are a number of electronics benches available with soldering facilities as described above, as well as other test equiptment:

Laser cutter

There will be a Trotec Speedy 400 80W CO2 laser cutter available from summer 2021.

There is no cost to using the laser cutter time, however you will need to provide materials for cutting.

Sewing machine

There will be a Brother Innov-is A150 sewing machine available before summer 2021.

There is no cost to using this machine other than cotton and fabric.

Embroidery machine

There will be a Brother Innov-is V3 embroidery machine available before summer 2021. This machine can be computer controlled.

There is no cost to using this machine other than cotton, fabric and backing material.

Knitting machine

There will be a Silver Reed SK840 knitting machine available before summer 2021. This machine can be computer controlled.

There is no cost to using this machine other than material.

VR headset

There is a Valve Index VR headset available for use along with a high spec gaming PC.