We offer class orientations as well as class trainings on equipment. (Book us soon if you want them in the first week – we usually ask for 3 week notice.)
You will receive Fimbel Staff access to the Fimbel Lab general workspace, and course storage closet.
Faculty touchdown space is available to you for prep and meeting with students.
TAs can get student worker access to the space, if requested. Email FimbelLab@mtholyoke.edu with their name and MHC ID #.
Your students can receive staff access to the Fimbel Lab general workspace, and course storage closet.
Email FimbelLab@mtholyoke.edu a list of your roster with MHC ID number***(should begin with a 5) to make this happen. Rachel Beane rbeane@mtholyoke.edu our lab coordinator will be your contact for this process.
Students who want to use the space outside of class time should book equipment on LibCal
The space is on skeleton staff during reading days and finals, so please try to have projects due by the last day of class as access to Fimbel will be limited at the end of the semester.
Accessing Resources
The course storage closet is available to you and your students
This closet is only open to students taking classes in the space
This is a shared closet.
We have a laptop cart with 16(+/-) PC computers available (possibly more but let us know) with a variety of software, including Adobe creative suite and Autocad
Please contact Luke if you have questions about Fimbel computers, or if you need additional software installed.
Fimbel Lab has its own networked file storage system (Synology DiskStation) called Cadet, to make it easy to send files to different equipment. Files saved on Cadet can be accessed from computers within Fimbel, including your own personal devices.
Everything you need to know about connecting to & using cadet is here:
Hit the Sharelink button and type in IP address in browser. This will start a download. Open downloaded file and type in 4 digit number code on bottom
What to Know
Entering the space
When entering the space for a class (during scheduled class time), students are not required to swipe in. However, we are asking students to swipe in whenever they come in outside of class times.
Please follow MHC covid health and safety guidelines while in the space.
Keeping space clean
Please help us to ensure our space stays clean by helping to enforce your students to clean up after themselves.
Students work that is in progress or needs to dry should be left in the course closet or in the temporary storage space by the brainstorming and multipurpose room.
Work must be labeled with name, date and estimated completion date.
Work left outside of the designated storage space may be moved or tossed.
Fimbel Lab is not responsible for damaged work
Materials
Your department budget should cover costs of material, wherever possible. Generally, we do not charge for equipment use. But if you will be a heavy user of an expensive tools that consume supplies — for instance, laser cutter filters can cost $1,000 — we appreciate a contribution if your department has a budget that can accommodate.
We supply some standard materials that your students may purchase from us. If there are materials you would like available in the space please send us a url of the requested material and an estimate of how much your course will need.
Equipment
Students can book laser cutter outside of the booking site if they complete the laser cut certification test with Shani Mensing, Kris Camp, Fiona Milton, or select student staff.
Faculty and students can book one of our professional staff for one on one trainings/consultations via Pathways (Shani, Kris, Luke and Fiona).
To enter the space outside of class time, they can come during our open hours (M-F 9am-10pm, Su 2-10) or they can be granted swipe access for extended access.
Time on Equipment
Using equipment can take a long time. Please help us to let your students know to book enough time on the machines.
Laser Cutters (Note: The 120 watt will complete jobs faster and we are getting a second one!)
Raster (Engraving) average time
3 x 3 inch engraving could take 3-5 minutes
15 x 15 inch engraving could take 20 minutes
Full 32 x 20 inch engraving could take 1.5-3 hours
Full 40 x 28 inch engraving could take 2.5-4 hours
Vector (Cut) average times
Paper >1 to 5 minutes
Chipboard 2-25 minutes (depending on size)
Acrylic/ plexi 10-45 minutes (depending on size)
Plywood ¼ 10-45 minutes (depending on size)
3D Printers
On average are overnight prints:12 -20 hours
Fails do happen. Do not leave prints for last minute
Libcal
Libcal is our booking site. Here you and your students can book equipment, rooms or events in the space.
As you may have heard, classes living at Fimbel will be kept in the multi-purpose room.
This will allow the general workshop to be open as a Makerspace for the whole day.
This is also end students outside of your class to enter and work in the general workspace as your course is in session.
Please encourage the habit of students moving from the multipurpose room to another space at Fimbel, when your class ends, so that we can accommodate the next class.
If a class session requires equipment in the general workshop or woodshop the space will be reserved for your class.
A note will be added to our calendar stating that the space is reserved.
We will be hosting a number of engagements for courses held outside of Fimbel.
These engagements will take place in the general workshop.
These may overlap with your class/ add demand to equipment
Remember that shifts in your scheduled assignments may clash with other assignments. Let Fimbel Lab know if you anticipate a large change in usage.
