OUR MISSION: The University of Pittsburgh Makerspace strives to provide students, staff, and faculty of all majors and disciplines a dedicated place for hands-on design and fabrication, collaborative work, and learning.
Our users have access to a wide range of machines and trainings, as well as a number of tools and supplies for prototyping any kind of project, whether it be academic, Makerspace-sponsored, or personal.
STEP 3. - Visit the ISS (B06a) during open hours and talk to a mentor to complete the in-person portion of your training. The mentor will guide you through a 5-10 minute training.
Students who have completed the basic safety training are then eligible to take the 1 hour, in-person Treehouse (B02) training. Weekly Treehouse Training Schedule: Monday 9am - 10am Tuesday 1pm - 2pm Wednesday 2pm - 3pm Thursday 4pm - 5pm Friday 11am - 12pm
Join the Slack!
Slack is our main platform for communication between the students, the mentors, and the Staff. You must sign up for the Slack if you are using the spaces.
We hold regular workshops that teach new and interesting hands-on skills and host a speaker series that recruits professors and industry professionals to give presentations about their experience and expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can use the makerspaces?
Any current Pitt student (undergraduate and graduate) or Pitt staff can use our spaces and materials free of charge!
Any current Pitt student can apply to become a mentor on our Makerspace Team webpage!
Why to BioE students have swipe access to B09?
All BioE students still have swipe access to B09, so that they may access B10 (the bio-electronics laboratory) and the Bio Senior Design Storage.
*Note that the back room will only be open during our regular open hours, when the space is staffed by a mentor.
How can I get trained on the 3D printer/lasercutter/any other machine?
Once you have completed the basic ISS/BiU safety training, you can attend open hours and ask the mentor on duty to be trained on the 3D printers.
The laser cutter and X-Carve trainings are covered in the Treehouse training. Treehouse trainings are only offered in-person, and take 1 hour. Treehouse training times are posted on the website!
Can I use materials other than the ones provided in the spaces?
If you want to use materials that we do not provide, you must get it approved by Brandon Barber. You can DM him in the Slack or email him at brandon.barber@pitt.edu.
Where can I laser cut metal?
You can get metal laser cut for certain projects with the Swanson Center for Product Innovation (SCPI), which is the machine shop in Benedum. Contact Andy Holmes at aholmes@pitt.edu for more information.
Resources
Digital Fabrication Software & Websites
Thingiverse - website dedicated to the sharing of user-created digital design files
MakerCase - website for designing boxes for laser cutting or CNC routing
Cura Mesh Slicers - software slicer for 3D printing digital models
McMaster Carr - supplier of hardware, tools, raw materials, industrial materials, and maintenance equipment.
Smooth-On - manufacturer of silicone rubbers, polyurethane rubbers and plastics, rigid and flexible urethane foams, epoxies, polysulfide rubbers, adhesives, coatings, release agents, and other material technologies.
