Make your mark at UC’s largest makerspace

Whether you’re turning an idea into a prototype or bringing a class project to life, the 12,000-square-foot Ground Floor Makerspace is the best-equipped of its kind in Southwest Ohio. UC students, entrepreneurs, business leaders and hobbyists can access a wide array of tools. And it’s all under one roof, from 3D printers and CNC routers to equipment for woodworking, soldering and laser cutting.

Want to know more about UC’s largest makerspace? Read on for a full breakdown.

The Ground Floor Makerspace boasts UC’s largest making facility and fabrication lab, and it’s also considered one of the most advanced in the region. Located inside the 1819 Innovation Hub at 2900 Reading Road, the makerspace is easily accessed from Uptown campus via the Bearcats Shuttle’s Innovation District route.

So, what is a makerspace? Simply put, it’s a space focused solely on making, equipped with the tools to help bring innovative projects to life. At 1819, you’ll find a range of machinery across the following categories:

• 3D printing and scanning
• CNC routing
• Laser cutting
• Welding and metalshop work
• Soldering
• Textiles and sewing
• Waterjet cutting
• Woodworking
• Printing and graphics

Find a complete list of tools in the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace here.

There’s a place for everyone in UC’s largest makerspace, according to Olivia Belk, its coordinator of unit operations. She says, “Any student who has an interest in making will find a way to utilize our space. With the amount of equipment we have, there’s bound to be something for everyone.”

Belk notes that while UC students – especially those in the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning – regularly use the Ground Floor Makerspace for class projects, “work [at the makerspace] does not have to be purely academic.” Bearcats, community members and business leaders also enjoy it for, among other activities:

UC students have built competitive fighting robots, designed parts for a space-bound satellite, manufactured airplanes and racecars and crafted a purpose-built gym for stroke survivors all inside the Ground Floor Makerspace. Meanwhile, startups have used the facility to build aviation safety robots and 3D-printed anatomical models to enhance surgical outcomes.

Whether you’re pursuing a hobby, a business project or a class assignment, there’s a spot for you in the Ground Floor Makerspace. Access is free for all UC students, staff and researchers who sign up, as well as for 1819 Innovation Hub partner companies.

While big machines and unfamiliar tools may feel intimidating for first-time users, makerspace staff are both knowledgeable and welcoming. According to Belk, inexperience shouldn’t keep anyone away.

She recommends that newcomers sign up for a makerspace orientation or tour, register for a casual workshop or join an equipment certification session. Or, if you already know your area of interest, register for training on whichever piece of equipment you’re looking at.

After you’ve used the machines a few times, Belk suggests learning by doing. “The best thing to do then is practice,” she says. “Come in with a small project to work on to build confidence, then branch out from there.”

The Ground Floor Makerspace includes full-time staff and a team of about 20 student workers ready to lend a helping hand, review processes or offer valuable insights. Additionally, UC’s making community is collaborative by nature and known to welcome first-timers.

• Makerspace Topics (PD1181C): A seven-week, hands-on deep dive into benchtop and industrial CNC workflows. Gain practical experience in design for manufacturing, CAD/CAM and working with state-of-the-art CNC routing systems. Ideal for returning users to the makerspace and students who have previously completed Maker Studio 1.

The Ground Floor Makerspace was intentionally designed for prototyping, completing classwork and experimenting for fun. Unlock all that the facility has to offer by signing up.

Beyond the Ground Floor Makerspace, the 1819 Innovation Hub has countless other opportunities for UC students, researchers, business leaders and entrepreneurs. Placed at the center of the Cincinnati Innovation District, 1819 helps students and corporate innovators seamlessly connect and collaborate.

Learn more about all of the 1819 Innovation Hub’s offerings in our comprehensive guide.

Though it’s just one part of the larger 1819 Innovation Hub, the Ground Floor Makerspace captures what makes 1819 unique: access to high-end resources and personalized expertise, and a community that supports business success and professional growth for students. No matter if it’s your first or your 20th time in a makerspace, you’ll find a well-appointed facility primed for opportunity, creativity and innovation.

Featured image at top: Men working on makerspace equipment. Photo/UC Marketing+Communications