Experiential Innovation: A Glimpse Into Northeastern’s EXP Makerspace
Meet the Makerspace at EXP: a brand new interdisciplinary innovation center for collaboration, innovation, and community at Northeastern’s Boston campus.
WHAT IS IT?
The EXP Makerspace is 15,000 sq ft opened in Fall 2024 with the newest building to Northeastern’s Boston campus, EXP. The space spans two floors with endless opportunities to create projects and community. The Makerspace is an inclusive and welcoming community that operates on a first-come, first-served model giving all students equal opportunity to create.
WHO IS IT OPEN TO?
The Makerspace is open to all Northeastern students, faculty, and staff no matter what major or year! You also do not need any prior experience using any of the machines in the space, everyone is trained and encouraged to learn so they can make their ideas come to life.
WHAT CAN I DO THERE?
The Makerspace has many machines enabling makers to explore all sorts of techniques. The space is broken up into several rooms, each themed to the machines that are housed there.
3D Works: FDM 3D Printers and Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printers.
Laserworks: Small and large format laser cutters.
Textile Islands: Embroidery Machine, Sewing Machines, Serger, Industrial-Grade Sewing Machine, Ironing Boards, Vinyl Cutter, Heat Press, Risograph Printer, and Plotter (Large-Scale Poster) Printer.
Woodworks: Panel Saw, Belt Sander, Vertical Bandsaw, Drill Press, Scroll Saw, Compound Miter Saw.
Electronics Bench: Soldering Iron, Circuits Supplies.
Jewelry Bench: Tools to cut, form, and bend metal to form jewelry.
Routerworks: CNC Router.
Metalworks: Angle Grinder, Metal Chop Saw, Bench Grinder, Sharpening Wheel, Hand Bender, Desktop CNC, Waterjet Cutter, Sandblaster, Welder.
AV Alcove: Cameras, Lighting Equipment, Tripods, Seamless Backdrop.
Miscellaneous: Spray Booth, Button Maker, Plastic Thermoforming, Bike Repair, Zine Machine, Craft Supplies.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
In order to get access to the space, you must attend a 30-minute orientation where you will tour the space, go over policies, and learn the honor code. Orientations are offered multiple times a day, everyday ensuring everybody Northeastern can get the chance to join the community.
After that, you are granted access to the space to start learning! The machines in the space all require a training that takes place in two formats depending on the risk of injury the machine poses.
First is an asynchronous self-paced “DIY Training” where users follow a binder to complete a project using the machine, while learning the parts, safety concerns, and user workflow. These are available for many of the user-friendly devices like FDM 3D Printers or Sewing Machines.
Second is a synchronous training led by “Explorers,” the student employees of the space. These occur weekly at dedicated times on the Makerspace website and are more common for the more complex machines with higher safety concerns like Laser Cutters.
WHAT DO I MAKE?
Let your imagination run free! The Makerspace has equipment, supplies, and support to help you make your ideas come to life. Whether it be a class project, jean embroidery project, or fun 3d printed model, the space is there for you!
All of the machines and equipment are free to use with many of the consumables being free as well. Select consumables are not provided for free, but are offered at a subsidized cost in the space.
We can’t wait to see what you make! For more information, visit https://makerspaces.northeastern.edu/spaces/exp-makerspace/