Rapid Prototyping - TinkerMill

TinkerMill Shop: Rapid Prototyping

A group of techniques, including 3D printers and laser cutters, used to quickly fabricate a scale model of a physical part or assembly using CAD – CAM (Computer Aided Design – Computer Aided Manufacture) data.

Notable Equipment

3D Printers:

Flashforge FDM 3D Printer
Neptune 4 Max FDM 3D Printer
Bambu X1 Carbon FDM 3D Printer (with a 2nd coming soon!)
Elegoo Resin 3D Printers
Big-60 3D printer (2ft x 1.8ft x 1.5ft) – (roughly functioning/under development)

Laser Cutters:

80 watt Rabbit Laser with a 1200 x 900 mm (47.2 x 35.4 inches) working area
Rotary engraver

Vinyl Cutter

Airbrush Station

Vacuformer (vacuum forming)

Shop Captains

Tyler Dow

I joined TinkerMill in 2014 and the first thing I saw was Clint, a member of TinkerMill, lighting off 5 pounds of thermite in the middle of winter. Ever since that, I started hanging around TinkerMill and tinkering with random things. I eventually started volunteering by fixing 3D printers, and teaching classes. I found I enjoy teaching and helping other people learn and make cool things.

Contact Info: tyler.dow@tinkermill.org, call/text at 303-520-2369, and active on Slack for members!

Ed Diamond

Contact info: edward.diamond@tinkermill.org and active on Slack for members!

Steve Stom

Contact info: steve.stom@tinkermill.org and active on Slack for members!

Send an email to all our Rapid Pro Shop Captains: rapidpro@tinkermill.org

Certifications Required

No certification is required to use our FlashForge FDM printers if you have prior experience. Classes are available for optional training. Certification classes are required before accessing laser cutter, Bambu 3D Printer, Resin 3D Printers, Graphtec Vinyl Cutter, Vacuformer, and Airbrush Station. Each can be done separately in any order. Many classes are usually available on on calendar, otherwise please reach out to rapidpro@tinkermilll.org or members can post in the #rapid-prototyping channel in Slack unless otherwise noted.

**Anyone, members and non-members, can attend classes.

Only members can use machines, and only certifiable machines independently after certification. Non-members can only use the machines under supervision of members that are certified.

Laser Cutter Certification: This class will teach you operations and safety of our large 80-watt laser. Completion of this class grants members independent access. If there is a class scheduled, you can find it here. Age Requirements: Ages 16+ only with parent guardian supervision

Bambu FDM 3D Printer Certification: Beyond the FlashForge FDM printers, our Bambu printer is newer, faster, and more expensive and requires certification. This class is offered regularly if you would like hands-on learning, or you may choose to take the online quiz (training module here & quiz here). If there is a class scheduled, you can find it here. Age Requirements: Ages 16+ with legal guardian supervision

Resin 3D Printer Certification: This class is an introduction to SLA resin printing using TinkerMill’s Elegoo printers and will teach you operations and safety. Completion of this class grants members independent use. If there is a class scheduled, you can find it here. Age Requirements: Ages 16+ only with parent guardian supervision

Vinyl Cutter Certification: Training is required, contact graphtec@tinkermill.org if not available on our calendar. Age Requirements: Ages 16+ only

Vacuformer Certification: Training is required. Usually classes are hosted upon request. If there is not a class listed on our calendar, please contact Erik Akia (on Slack for members or email erik.akia@tinkermill.org) Age Requirements: Ages 18+ only

Airbrush Certification: When classes are available, register at the link here. Questions? Class not listed? Please reach out to the instructors Mark Chamness (on Slack for Members, mark.chamness@tinkermill.org for nonmembers) Age requirement 12+ only.

Cost of Shop

In addition to being a member, there is additional cost to use shop space. Shop use fees are used to maintain each of the shops.

Laser Cutter – $10/hr

ABS Filament – $0.10/gram

*(if using your own filament, shop fees for machine maintenance are $0.06/gram)

Resin – $0.09/mL

*(if using your own resin, shop fees for machine maintenance are $0.06/mL)

Pay Shop Fees

Additional Classes

We encourage you to practice these skills independently to learn skill. Contact shop captain for more opportunities.

Learn How to Use the Rotary Tool on the Laser Cutter: With this, you can engrave on cups, mugs, or anything round. Put any pattern on round objects! Bring your own digital file, and we will put it on a glass provided by us!

Check for these classes regularly scheduled and more on our calendar here.

Other Info

Slack Channels (member’s only) – #rapid-prototyping #laser_cutter #resin-3d-printing

Only members can use machines, and only certifiable machines independently after certification. Non-members can use the machines under supervision of members that are certified.

Not required but recommended particularly for the 80-watt laser which members can reserve up to 4/hrs a day.

If you don’t see a class you would like to take (or at a time you can’t make) free to email Shop Captain, tyler.dow@tinkermill.org, to let him know you’re interested!

TinkerMill Shop: Rapid Prototyping

Notable Equipment

3D Printers:

Laser Cutters:

“We are a volunteer-driven organization that provides space, equipment, and community, empowering people on the Front Range to make, learn, and grow.”

Everyone in the space needs a waiver