Fab Lab To-Do List

Here’s a bunch of things that are on the infamous to-do list for the Fab Lab. If you’re interested in helping out with any of them let us know. I’ll make this a wiki post so others can help keep it up to date.

  • Replace Luigi power button to match Mario
  • Update design computer to Windows 10
  • Replace front glass on Luigi
  • Update and print maintenance logs for lasers and 3D printers
  • Make storage and instructions for alternate Prusa beds
  • Set up remote monitoring for 3D printers
  • Build laser material rack
    • Will replace the section of shelf where the filament is currently stored
    • 3’ deep, 4’ wide
  • Move design desktop to a more appropriate table and position the metal tables in front of the lasers to be used as work tables
  • Re-attach ethernet cable channel that has fallen from walls
  • Make signs with important reminders for 3D printers
  • Isolate laser air assist pumps so they aren’t so dang loud
  • Make filament trimmers that attach to the 3D printers
  • Set up display for upcoming classes and laser reservations
  • Create material library in Lightburn for common materials
  • Automatic power on/off for 3D printers
  • Add lip around edge of laser lids to prevent items from getting pinched when they close
Completed Tasks
  • Update Lightburn Licenses
  • Replace 3D printer whiteboard tape
  • Build shelves for 3D printers and filament storage
  • Set up Lightburn camera on Mario
  • Fix loose ammeter on Luigi
  • Replace laser computers
  • Add anti-vibration mounts to laser exhaust fan
6 Likes

We could just build the laser material rack with 2-by wood but it probably wouldn’t look great. I have money in the budget and would like to see what we could with metal. Either way, the rack will need to hold a lot of weight as the masonite can get pretty heavy when we get a new load. I’d appreciate a few ideas on this project.

1 Like

Have you looked at the metal out back? There is even a ready made rack back there, though it is probably not what you are looking for.

1 Like

I didn’t know it’s there. I’ll take a look. Thx.

1 Like

I recently walked past a pile of 2x3s at home depot. They caught my eye BECAUSE THEY WERE ALMOST ALL STRAIGHT. Persistent carpenter types will know, 2x3s tend to be banana boards.

So I bought ten and have nearly used them up. Much better than the 2x2s I sometimes used on such projects not needing to hold up a second story. [2x2s also persistently curved].

Consider a 2x3 shelf rack? I have more trouble choosing shelf itself. Waferboard fail recently as screws werent solid in it. The pressboard materials will sag with age and rather quickly. So…plywood or lumber.

Do we really want to update those computers to Windows 10 now when we’re less than 2 years from Windows 10 End of Life (14 Oct 2025) as much as I hate 11, we’re in the world now where everything should be going Windows 11, or finding ways to get off of Windows for good. Looks like Light burn works on Linux.

1 Like

Windows 10 continues to have 2.5 times the number of instances as Windows 11.

It would be great to migrate to Linux, if practical.

And, if we are using Windows 365 and connecting to a cloud PC that is running Windows 11, extended support for Windows 10 is free.

I know that DOD is still banning windows 11 for all workstations (they mandate 10). Also the fablab pcs cannot be updated to 11 at all, much less in a supported manner. They don’t have new enough processors and they don’t have enough ram. I haven’t tried to look at the win 7 machine to see if it can be updated to 10; but, I wouldn’t recommend remaining on 7 either way due to the fact that security updates are not being released anymore.
-Adam

I’m wondering what you intend to imply by this, as it’s not because of security issues (that have been publicly described).

It’s because of each branch having a “UNIFICATION PLAN UNDER THE “SINGLE IMAGE” LINE OF EFFORT” [their caps, not mine]

They are planning 100% migration to Windows 11. As can be easily verified by sources such as: MARINE CORPS MICROSOFT WINDOWS 11 ADOPTION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS > United States Marine Corps Flagship > Messages Display MARINE CORPS MICROSOFT WINDOWS 11 ADOPTION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS > United States Marine Corps Flagship > Messages Display
Or, here: Department of Navy Chief Information Officer

The USAF has not released any guiance suggesting that currently. My point for mentioning that is that win 10 will likely not go fully EOS until all of their major stakeholders have migrated to win 11 which is predicated upon the security and stability issues in win 11 is fully cured.

That being said my main point is below that part of my comment.