Open Lab - FAQs

Open lab is located on Level 1 of The Edge, it is State Library’s free and accessible fabrication space for makers and designers to book and use the creative resources available with support from skilled staff. The basement level of the Edge closed after the February 2022 flooding event.

Bookable equipment resources include:

Two laser cutters

3D printers

Vinyl cutter

Sewing machines

Soldering stations

Open lab sessions are Wednesday 1.30pm to 7.30pm, Thursday 1.30pm to 8.00pm and Saturday 12.00pm to 6.00pm

Please note, equipment bookings are required for all Open lab sessions except at our weekly meet up, Hack the Evening on Thursdays from 5 to 8pm.

Requirements

In order to book and use resources you must:

Be over 16

Become a member

Attend the relevant inductions

Read the The Edge Fabrication Lab Terms of Use

Read through the The Edge Bookable Resources and Workshop FAQs

Equipment specs

2x Trotec Speedy 300 Laser Cutter / Engraver available for cutting paper, cardboard, plywood, and acrylic sheet

Roland GS24 Vinyl Cutter

4x Prusa i3 Mk3 FDM printers available for printing in PLA+

2x Bernina 800 Series Record Sewing Machines

Bernina 700D Overlocker

Iron, Ironing Board and sewing accessories

Electronics bench including hand tools, soldering iron, bench power supply, etc

How do I book the equipment?

If you previously completed an induction for safe use of the Lasers, 3D Printers, Sewing Machine or Electronics Bench, you can book time on this equipment by visiting the SLQ website Here. Note that the system won't permit you to book equipment on which you haven't been inducted. Web bookings are currently offered for Open lab sessions except for our Thursday meetup, Hack the evening where bookings are not required.

Inductions

Before you can book the equipment, you need to have done an induction for that piece of equipment.

Keep an eye on the Whats On pages on our website and sign up for The Edge enews here to stay up to date with the latest changes.

Can I store stuff?

We are not currently in a position to offer members of the public temporary storage for their projects.

Can I buy materials for the Laser, Vinyl Cutter, and 3D printer?

Yes we have a stock of standard materials you can purchase and use on the Laser and the Vinyl Cutter. Materials are provided by the Fab Lab supervisor but should be paid for at The Brink coffee shop in The Edge.

Check out our range of materials and prices here

If you would like to bring in your own material you will need to provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and have our Lab supervisor approve use, please email us on appliedcreativity@slq.qld.gov.au.

What happened to the CNC?

Unfortunately, our CNC was damaged in the February 2022 flood and has been disposed of. The limitations of our current location does not allow us to offer this type of cutting equipment due to noise, dust, and isolation issues. We are investigating alternative resources but won't have any further updates till later in 2023.