just came across https://grid.space/ today and it’s not going to be the best in class of any of the apps it provides in terms of functionality and polish but it sure is a powerful set of overlapping functionality in a relatively comprehensive appearing package with some high nerdery under the covers (e.g. https://grid.space/kiri/engine.html)

if you’re into #3Dprinting, #lasercutters, or desktop #CNC and might want to use a fully browser-based web app to prepare files for your machines take a look.

#Colorado - #Libraries and the ‘economy of sharing’

An ode to the palace of the people

By Kaylee Harter - Apr. 9, 2025

"Visit one of BPL’s #makerspaces, a feature that’s become a staple in many libraries, and you can use #3DPrinters, #looms, #LaserCutters, #ScreenPrinting equipment and more.

" 'It’s a collaborative learning environment,' Farnan says. 'We’re learning together. If you were to go into the makerspace today and ask, like, ‘I’m thinking about doing this,’ then they would say, ‘I don’t know how to do that, but let’s figure it out.’

" 'That is inherently resilient.'

"He recalls a blind artist who came in with a unique challenge: 'She wanted to be able to see her drawings.'

" 'They worked with her with 3D printers, with the laser cutters and that kind of thing, in order to transfer her drawings into dimensional objects, because they were abstractions, so that she could then see them with her fingers.'

"Despite the always expanding array of programming and services, the books themselves — and literacy for all ages — are ever important."

https://boulderweekly.com/special-editions/libraries-and-the-economy-of-sharing/

#SharingEconomy #CircularEconomy #LibrariesRule #LibraryOfThings #MakerSpace #BuildingCommunity #Accessibility #SolarPunkSunday #BoulderCO

#WatertownMA - Watertown's "#LibraryOfThings" offers creative #community #workspace. Here's a look inside.

Story by Jordyn Jagolinzer

"The library in Watertown, Massachusetts is providing the tools and a space for people to get creative and learn new skills.

" 'A lot of libraries have started a 'library of things' collection, but they don't have necessarily a space to allow people to just make and create and build community,' Watertown Public Library director Kim Hewitt said. 'We have a big Hatch-maker space and that was one of the first in the area.'

"The 'Hatch' facility on Summer Street is right around the block from the main library. The workshop is stocked with tools, materials and expertise for everyone to learn in a venue that fosters #creativity.

"We have scraps of material to play around with, the #SewingMachines, or create something, #JewelryMaking. It doesn't have to be prescriptive. You can go there and see what appeals to you," Hewitt said.

"The #Hatchspace is a standout amongst similar programs in Massachusetts, and it just celebrated it's tenth birthday. It has #ButtonMakers, #LaserCutters, and even #3DPrinters.

"Talented expert volunteers are on hand to assist patrons with their projects, which is how Seth Deitch first started making things in the space.

" 'We're very lucky to have the people that we have who volunteer here. Many of them are extremely talented. Lots of people with advanced degrees,' Deitch said.

"Hatch also offers workshops that more and more people in the community are getting involved in.

" 'It's nice having a space for the entire community that's free to come to and work at,' Deitch said. 'Nowadays, people spend a lot of their time staring at screens, not enough working with their hands.'

"The best part is, anyone in the state can get in on the fun.

" 'As long as you're a #Massachusetts resident, you can get a library card at the #WatertownPubliclibrary,' said Ran Cronin, the library's access services supervisor.

"The library is hoping to expand the Hatch space. It also has one of the largest English language-learning programs, called #ProjectLiteracy, which serves 900 students per year."

Source:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/watertown-s-library-of-things-offers-creative-community-workspace-here-s-a-look-inside/ar-AA1Cfel3

#CommunitySpaces #LibrariesRule #SolarPunkSunday #MakerSpace #ESL

Join @ishotjr and a panel of special guests 🚨 TONIGHT!!! 🚨 as we dive deep to explore the coolest high-tech digital #fabrication tools for your #workshop, from #LaserCutters to #3Dprinters to #CNC machines! Register now for our V92 #LaunchParty! 🥳

https://makezine.com/article/maker-news/dive-into-digital-fabrication-at-our-live-make-magazine-volume-92-launch-party/

Join @ishotjr and a panel of special guests TOMORROW as we dive deep to explore the coolest high-tech digital #fabrication tools for your #workshop, from #LaserCutters to #3Dprinters to #CNC machines! Register now for our V92 #LaunchParty! 🥳

https://makezine.com/article/maker-news/dive-into-digital-fabrication-at-our-live-make-magazine-volume-92-launch-party/

Join @ishotjr and a panel of special guests as we dive deep to explore the coolest high-tech digital #fabrication tools for your #workshop, from #LaserCutters to #3Dprinters to #CNC machines! Register now for our Thursday, February 20th V92 #LaunchParty! 🥳

https://events.zoom.us/ev/Akg3EY9XVQhzUPg66Rdbgtq350T9ylp37gHY_GhMm9CwIPOX8zbA~AkAYSEqMqoIzGRF7Ji4LDC09VmEX1EqAtvHojt5_gREY_1_AhINEoRRIdw

Someone at our makerspace is struggling with the laser cutter, and it's a problem I've never run into before, I've never seen anything like it - so I thought I'd ask here and check if anyone has any clues.

They're trying to make boxes using this box generator: https://boxes.hackerspace-bamberg.de The box shapes export as SVGs.

The laser cutter is a HPC LS3060 with 50W CO2 laser, connected to the makerspace laptop with a USB cable.

And the laser cutter software is Lightburn on Windows. The files end in ".lbrn2".

Basically, everything looks perfect in Lightburn, including in preview. But when they go to cut, even when each individual shape is in a different layer, the laser will put extra cuts in or randomly move off at a strange angle and make cuts that aren't in the Lightburn file. (See photos of errors attached.)

Have you ever seen anything like this? If so, did you ever work out the cause?

Edit: FIXED! We emailed the people who sold us the laser cutter, and they suggested we check whether our makerspace member was "streaming" the cutting from the laptop with the controls in Lightburn, or if they were sending the file to the laser cutter first and then directly cutting from the laser cutter UI. The member was "streaming" it from the laptop (pressing "start" in Lightburn on the laptop), which apparently can cause these kinds of problems. When they switched to sending the file to the laser cutter and pressing "start" on the laser cutter buttons, it fixed the problem completely and instantly. :)

#Lightburn #LaserCutting #LaserCutters #LaserCutter

Doing a Blinky Name Badge making workshop at #HackPGH in #Pittsburgh
I'm doing this pro Bono and my attempt at supporting the local maker space and community.
Please spread the word, all ye #yinzers
#PewPew #lasercutters involved !

@hackaday

members.hackpgh.org/event-5912151

Is it just us, or do other owners of #lasercutters also feel the urge to pronounce the word "LA-SER" like Dr. Evil from Austin Powers whenever they talk about it? 😄

If you didn't till now, you're welcome! 😉

#lasercut #lasercutting