Exploration Space

Need to Make Something?

The Exploration Space is where you can get help with your project! Equipped with 3D printers and other tools of creation, come to the Exploration Space when you need to bring your idea into reality - and you want to learn a new skill on the way!

Located on the lower level of the library, near the Group Study Suites, the Exploration Space is open to all Illinois Tech students, staff, and faculty. The Exploration Space currently contains:

• Four Prusa 3D Printers - Two Mk3 and two Mk4 FDM (fixed deposition modeling) printers
• Two button-making machines, one for 2.25 inch buttons and one for 1 inch buttons (for in-library use only). A kit containing all of the parts needed to make 50 buttons costs $5 and can be ordered through our online store. 

Request a Maker Appointment

Illinois Tech community members who are interested in using the Exploration Space can request a Maker Appointment using this link:

Book a Maker Appointment

Maker Appointments pair our patrons with a student assistant Maker Liaison who has training and expertise in the use of the Exploration Space's equipment. Patrons can book an appointment to meet with a Maker Liaison one-on-one for 30 minutes to chat about their project and how the Exploration Space can help them complete it.

What is a Maker Appointment like?

Let's use an example. A student who is interested in 3D printing a model that they designed can book a Maker Appointment to get help with the particulars of printing the model - using slicing software, selecting filament colors, starting a print, etc. 3D printing can take time, so the Maker Liaison will contact the student when their print is finished and arrange for pickup. The Maker Liaison may recommend that the student book another appointment if there is any additional work that needs to be done on their 3D print, or if they have additional questions about the printing process.

Maker Appointment Guidelines

• Please be respectful of other users when booking Maker Appointments. It's OK to book a few appointments in a given week to work on your project but understand that other Illinois Tech community members want help too, so avoid monopolizing our time!

• Exploration Space Maker Liaisons are experts at the safe and effective operation of Exploration Space equipment, and they can help you use the Exploration Space to complete your project. However, Maker Liaisons will not do your project for you, especially if it's coursework! You're still the expert of your own vision for what you want to make, and our Maker Liaisons will respect that.

• There is a small fee for using the 3D printer. Your print will be weighed after printing, and you will be charged $0.05 per gram of filament material used (including material used for supports). You can pay for your prints online at the Galvin Library Storefront.

• If your project involves 3D printing and your printed model includes supports, you should remove the supports yourself - our Maker Liaisons don't want to be responsible for accidentally damaging your project. If you need to use Exploration Space tools to work on your model, feel free to book an additional Maker Appointment to do so.

• If your 3D print is complete and ready to pick up, your Maker Liaison will put it in a locker in the Galvin Library's lobby and share the locker number and code with you via email after your payment for the print is confirmed. You can then pick up the print whenever it is convenient for you.

Please feel free to email the Exploration Space at explorationspace@illinoistech.edu.