Unleashing Creativity: A Guide to UCLA's Makerspaces

UCLA is home to a vibrant community of innovators, designers, and creators. To support this community, UCLA provides several makerspaces equipped with cutting-edge technology and resources. These spaces empower students to turn their ideas into reality, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. The UCLA Learning Centers provide dynamic environments that empower students to express their creativity, embrace innovation, and explore new ideas. We cater to the diverse needs of UCLA students, whether they reside on-campus or off-campus, and whether they are graduate or undergraduate students.

Overview of UCLA Makerspaces

UCLA offers a variety of makerspaces, each with its own unique focus and resources. These spaces are designed to cater to a wide range of interests and skill levels, from beginners to experienced makers.

Boelter Hall Makerspace

In 2018, the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering opened a new 9,000-square-foot student makerspace in Boelter Hall. This makerspace aims to be a place for students to use their imaginations, learn new skills, and work with each other to design, build, and create. Located on the first and second floors of Boelter Hall, the makerspace includes 12 3D printers; laser cutters; tools for light machining; circuit board printers; a reflow oven; electronics fabrication and test equipment; an embroidery machine; and a dedicated virtual reality system. Bioprinters and other wet lab tools are slated to be added in the future. The space is supervised by trained student staff members and is almost entirely student-programmed. Students are free to build personal projects and hold group activities such as workshops and hackathons.

Sunset Village Learning Center

The Sunset Village Learning Center is located in Delta Terrace Room 150 (across from the main entrance to Covel Commons) and is comprised of three spaces: Lobby/Video Game Lounge; Main Lab 1; Lab 2. The lobby offers couches and counter study space, along with 3 TV monitors for console gaming and two WEPA printers (B&W and Color). Our extensive resources encompass study areas, a MakerSpace, a Gaming Center, a Multi-Media Production Studio for music production, photography, videography, and podcasting, and a wide range of other offerings!

DeNeve Learning Center

The DeNeve Learning Center is located on the 3rd Floor of the DeNeve Commons building room P333 (next to the Dykstra Hall Bridge). It is compromised of three spaces: Lobby area, Music Production Studio, and computer lab. The lobby offers couches, outlets, and 2 WEPA Printers (one B&W and one Color).

UCLA Makerspace on the Hill

The UCLA Makerspace on the Hill is located in Olympic Hall. It specializes in providing support for student projects.

Eclipse Gaming & Dev Lounge

The Eclipse Gaming & Dev Lounge is located in Rieber room RH145. Eclipse Gaming & Dev Lounge will provide never-before-seen access to next-generation gaming resources.

Key Equipment and Technologies Available

UCLA's makerspaces are equipped with a wide array of tools and technologies to support various projects. Here's a glimpse into some of the equipment you can find:

3D Printers

A variety of 3D printers are available, each suited for different types of projects:

Makerbot Replicator 5th Generation: Our smallest Makerbot printer. Uses fused deposition modeling (FDM) printing technology. Primary material is PLA (polylactic acid) filament. Build volume is 9.9 inches x 7.8 inches x 5.9 inches L/W/H.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA
Makerbot Replicator+: Our most heavily used and most reliable Makerbot printer. Uses FDM printing technology. Primary material is PLA filament. Build volume is 11.6 inches x 7.6 inches x 6.5 inches L/W/H.
Makerbot Replicator Z18: Our largest printer. Uses FDM printing technology with an air-heated print chamber to prevent warping on larger prints. Primary material is PLA filament. Build volume is 11.8 inches x 12 inches x 18 inches L/W/H.
Formlabs Form 2: Our highest resolution printer. Utilizes stereolithography (SLA) technology to create prints out of light-reactive resin. Build volume is 5.7 inches x 5.7 inches x 6.9 inches L/W/H. Capable of printing with both flexible and standard Formlabs resin. Thickness of print is 25 microns (0.001 inches).
Formlabs Form 3: Utilizes low force stereolithography (LFS) technology to create resin-based 3D prints. Build volume is 5.7 inches x 5.7 inches x 6.9 inches L/W/H. Capable of printing with both flexible and standard Formlabs resin. Thickness of print is 25 microns (0.001 inches).

Laser Cutter/Etcher

Epilog Helix 24: Capable of laser etching and laser cutting a variety of materials, including acrylic, wood, mat board, glass and stainless steel. Engraving area is 24 inches x 18 inches. Maximum etching thickness is 8.5 inches, and maximum cutting thickness is 0.25 inches.

3D Scanners

Artec Space Spider: A highly accurate 3D scanner, perfect for 3D rendering of small to medium-sized objects. 3D point accuracy is 50 microns (0.002 inches). 3D resolution is 100 microns (0.0039 inches). 3D accuracy is 0.03% over 100 centimeters (39.4 inches). Working distance is 0.2 to 0.3 meters (7.9 inches to 11.8 inches).

Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors
Artec Eva: A step up from the Space Spider, the Eva is capable of 3D rendering larger items at a lower accuracy. 3D point accuracy is 100 microns (0.004 inches). 3D resolution is 500 microns (0.02 inches). 3D accuracy is 0.03% over 100cm (39.4 inches). Working distance is 0.4 to 1.0 meters (1.3 feet to 3.3 feet).

Other Equipment

Located on the first and second floors of Boelter Hall, the makerspace includes 12 3D printers; laser cutters; tools for light machining; circuit board printers; a reflow oven; electronics fabrication and test equipment; an embroidery machine; and a dedicated virtual reality system.

Events and Community Engagement

Here at the UCLA Learning Centers, we hold a range of events both annually and weekly. If you are looking to be a part of a passionate and easy-going community look no further!!

We Make at UCLA

Picture this. You're just about to head back to your dorm when you hear what sounds like curiosity-inducing chaos: eggs smashing, gears whirring, metal clashing, and students cheering. What you stumble upon is a sight to behold. It's an evening of organized chaos, where Makers at UCLA and Los Angeles County come together to showcase fascinating builds, participate in friendly competition, and expand their minds. Sound exciting? Save the date! Thurs. We Make at UCLA is an exciting event scheduled for April 20th, 2023 open to all creatives within the UCLA community and local Los Angeles County to showcase their inventions, crafts, talents, and innovations. There will be three types of attendees at WeMake 2023: Exhibitor, Volunteer, Competitor/Participant. You must sign up before Thurs. April 13 to become an Exhibitor, and before Wed. April 19 to become a Volunteer. To become a Competitor/Participant, just show up! Be a part of UCLA’s Festival of Makers! Please be as thorough as possible in your submission when describing what your exhibit is and its components. Complete the submission form on time. Questions?

tags: #ucla #makerspace #hours