What do you want to make?
IDEA Makerspace
Meet new people, learn new skills, and make new things.
What is the IDEA Sandbox?
IDEA is a multidisciplinary initiative that integrates NSCAD Design with the Faculty of Engineering and the Rowe School of Business at Dalhousie University. IDEA is built around project based learning and provides workshops, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities for students to explore engineering, design, making, and manufacturing.IDEA helps everyone develop a personal toolbox of skills to support any career path. Dal Innovates provides further programming and supports to grow projects into viable businesses.
What is a Makerspace?
The IDEA Makerspace, a program run by the IDEA Sandbox, is a student led environment that facilitates skills building through creating physical projects. This is the space for you if you are interested in learning something new, working on a project for class or yourself, or wanting to use new machines and tools.
1,500 sqft Makerspace studio totally free for students to use
Weekly programming to learn new skills around making
Dedicated onsite team members to help you learn how to use any of the tools and machines and work with you on your first project
Hundreds of cool tools and machines like laser cutters, CNCs, 3D printers, woodworking equipment, electronics gear, hand tools, ceramics setup, metal forge, and more
Hands On Skills
“The Makerspace is a fun environment that gave me the tools to work on my own projects and learn fundamental problem-solving skills.”
Connect
Make new friends and form inter-disciplinary relationships.
Network
Interact with industry leaders from around the province.
Engage
Immerse yourself in the making community.
Check In is required everytime you visit the Makerspace.
April Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 3-9 PM |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 3-9 PM |
| Thursday | CLOSED |
| Friday | 12-6 PM |
| Saturday | CLOSED |
Laser Cutter
The Laser Cutter is a highly capable machine used for cutting and engraving a wide range of materials, such as wood, acrylic, and plastics. This technology allows for the creation of intricate designs and shapes that are difficult to achieve with traditional cutting methods. OUT OF ORDER
Electronic Station
Electronic Station provides the following: Soldering Station, Hot air re-work station, Power supply, Oscilloscope, Frequency generator, Multimeters, Wire strippers & cutters, Variety of electrical components and supplies.
resin printer
The Elegoo Saturn - 4k Mono Resin 3D Printer is a powerful and reliable 3D printer that offers high-resolution printing with exceptional accuracy and detail, making it an ideal choice for creative students.
Drill Press
A drill press is a power tool used for drilling precise holes in materials such as wood, foam, and plastic. The machine can be adjusted for different speeds, drill bit sizes, and depths of drilling, making it a versatile tool for a range of applications.
Sander
A sander is a power tool used for smoothing and shaping surfaces of various materials, including wood and plastic
Planer
A Plainer is a woodworking tool used to mill lumber and boards to a desired thickness and smoothness.
CNC Router
The Shapeoko is a CNC machine designed to can cut and engrave a range of materials, from wood to metals. The machine is versatile and customizable, with different sizes and cutting capabilities available.
Thermoformer
The Formech 450DT is a reliable and effective tool for producing complex parts and prototypes for various uses. It is used to create vacuum-formed parts and molds with excellent precision and accuracy.
Prusa i3 MK3
The Prusa i3 MK3S 3D printers offer a range of features that make it easy to use and produce high-quality prints. The printer is compatible with a wide range of filament materials and offers consistent and reliable performance.
Bandsaw
A band saw is a power tool used for cutting curves and irregular shapes in materials such as wood, plastic, and foam.
Cricut Maker
The Cricut Maker allows users to create a variety of DIY projects with precision and ease. The Cricut Design Space software provides access to a library of thousands of designs, fonts, and images, making it easy to create custom projects.
Circular Saw
A versatile cutting tool used for cutting wood and other materials by hand