NAIT’s underrated space for go to custom holiday gifts

Everyone talks about the “best” resources here at NAIT, but how many people use them? Well, this holiday season I’ve decided to use these resources to make something special. How will I do this, you ask? Well, by using Makerspace of course! And if you don’t know what that is . . . stick around to learn more! This is one of those special student resources that people don’t take enough advantage of. So, in this post, I will give you a quick overview of my learning experience and tell you how you can do it too.

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Located in the library in the U building you can find Makerspace. The Makerspace is for NAIT students and staff, like you, to get hands on by learning, creating and experimenting with different technologies.

Some of these technologies include:

• 3D Printing
• 3D Scanning
• CNC Mills
• Laser Engraving
• Vinyl Cutting
• Loanable Technology
• Electronic Workbench
• Water Jet Cutter

I’ll be tackling CNC Mills.

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To get started you have to enroll in the course. Go to the NAIT library website, click on ‘Makerspace’, click ‘Get certified’ and follow all the additional steps. Then you’ll be able to complete the module for the specific technology you want to use.

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I found it wasn’t overly difficult to navigate or complete these modules, and it took me around an hour to complete the one for CNC Milling. This includes reading, quizzes, practicing with software and getting a design ready. After I learned all about it, I booked myself an appointment with IT to get a full in-person tutorial. I brought with me a design of my favourite cartoon dog Snoopy, which you’ve already seen in my fabulous picture.

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For my appointment, I headed on over to the library and stopped at the help desk to sign out the equipment I would need and meet up with my advisor. We made our way over to the Makerspace and dove right into it. We went over the basics and I learnt all about the X-Carving machine, its different components, how to use the space and how to use the software. The instructions were easy to follow, and I was able to ask any follow-up questions I might have had. The learning and setting up process only took 25 minutes before my design was carving itself! It was very captivating watching the machine carve out Snoopy in real time, the carving only took 10 minutes and then I had my own Snoopy tile to take home!

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Overall, I had a lot of fun getting hands on in the Makerspace. And now that I’ve gotten a full tutorial, I’m ready to go back and make some gifts for my family and friends this holiday! So as the holidays come creeping up don’t forget about Makerspace. There’s still time to get learning and make some custom holiday gifts for your friends and family, just like I’m going to do!

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