C-SED Lab FAQ

Nope! The C-SED lab is an inclusive and open workspace to meet the needs and curiosities of enrolled Michigan students. If you have personal or independent learning projects that you would like to pursue, you are more than welcome to apply to gain access to the space.

• Request to use the C-SED Lab here (one per person, even if a whole team is applying)
• After your request form is reviewed you will be sent Core Safety Content to review.
• Complete the Knowledge Check safety quiz (linked at the end of the Core Content). Review your responses, but you do not need to get 100%.
• After completing the safety quiz you will be sent an e-mail invitation to schedule an appointment for an orientation and/or tool training. You can sign up individually, or fill out a form to request a group training.
• At the end of your Orientation and/or Training, you will sign an Access Agreement Form.
• This will trigger an e-mail with the door code, and it will also show up on the Airtable App. 

Once all of the above steps are complete, you will be able to use the lab. Everyone on a team needs to complete all of the steps in order to use the lab. 

Congratulations on your graduation! 

As stated above, the C-SED lab is meant for enrolled students. If you are a part of a club or a project team and need to "pass the torch" by sharing your knowledge or help store or dismantle a project at the end of a semester, you can continue to meet with active lab users in the lab for up to one month. Reach out to c-sed-lab@umich.edu if you have an extenuating circumstance and require additional access. 
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide new trainings to students who have graduated. 

3D Printers:
If your grant-funded project requires a large quantity of 3D printed objects, we kindly ask that you contact us about using the 3D printers. It may make the most sense for you to use some of your grant money for PLA filament, and even your own 3D Printer. They are now a very accessible and affordable tool.  

NDAs:
The C-SED lab is a high-traffic space, so if you have a project with a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), we recommend you find another place to do your work. 

3D Printing:

• Bambu A1 and A1 minis (PLA filament only!)

Electronics:

• Soldering Stations
• Arduino Parts
• Heat Gun
• Multi-Meter
• DC Power Supply
• snips, wire cutters, tweezers, et c

Ideation:

• Calipers
• x-acto knives and box cutters w/ self-healing mats
• Hot Glue Guns
• lots of sticky notes, paper, and cardboard! 

Textiles:

• Singer Industrial Sewing Machine
• Brother CNC Embroidery Machine
• Knitting/Crochet Needles
• Hand needles
• Screenprinting SqueeGee

Woodworking:

• Belt/Disc Sander
• Dremel Engraver
• Electric Drill
• Hand Tools (hammers, saws, screwdrivers, socket wrenches)
• Palm Sanders
• Staple Gun

*The following wood tools are only available with training and staff supervision. Check the calendar. (scroll down on the c-sed lab page)*

• 13” Thickness Planer*
• Bandsaw*
• Circular Saw with a Track (aka "Track Saw")*
• Drill Press*
• Jigsaw*
• Miter Saw*
• Multitool*
• Reciprocating Saw*
• Router*
• Table Saw*

Any student is more than welcome to sign up for higher-level training at a later point in time if they choose to do so, whether for their co-curricular project, personal project, or general skill-building/interest!

Yes! Click here to fill out our Lab Group Training Request form: https://myumi.ch/QMeQw

We offer group Orientations and trainings on any of our tools, as well as group sessions like Intro to Arduino and CAD to 3D Printing. We also host social events like costume or piñata making. Depending on the training, we may have to break up your team into smaller groups, but we will work with you to determine a great outcome for you.

If you completed the in-person lab training in a previous semester or academic year, you do not need to repeat it. We do, however, ask that you re-read the online safety content, take the quiz again and sign a new access agreement. (Don't worry, we'll send you an e-mail with the links!) You will need to follow these steps in order to receive the new door code for a new academic year.

The tools we have in the lab are suitable for making many things out of wood, basic electronics, plastics, and fabric. The lab cannot be used for machining metal parts or spray painting. Creating drug paraphernalia or weapons of any kind in the C-SED Lab space is strictly prohibited.

The C-SED Lab Managers are experienced in designing, fabricating, building, and making all kinds of things. Booking a consultation with a lab manager  or expressing interest during a lab reservation slot can help you make a plan, figure out materials, and help teach you what it takes to do your project.

Yes – HOWEVER, you only be able to store items during the duration of your project: this is not a long term storage solution. Some classes and teams who have been working in the C-SED Lab for several semesters or years have dedicated storage areas, and there are also open storage areas. If you need help finding a spot to store your project, e-mail c-sed-lab@umich.edu or talk to a lab staff member. 

Please complete a storage label (found in the center work tables) that can identify all of the different elements of your work with your contact information and estimated date of completion. (You might need more than one label!) If any of your materials are flammable: label them and store them in the yellow flame retardant cabinets.

 Please make an effort to keep your items tidy and in the appropriate storage space!

No, you must first complete the safety quiz and Orientation before you can use the lab. It is important that you are aware of risks and safety protocols of being in the lab, even if you do not plan to use any of the power tools. 

You can access the lab at any time 24/7, but please use good judgement if you would like to come in outside of standard business hours! The "buddy system" is University Policy, and helpful for handling the unexpected. Power tools in the wood shop are only available when the C-SED Lab is staffed. 
Contact us (c-sed-lab@umich.edu) if you/your team need access to GG Brown after hours when the building is locked. 

At the end of the school year, we contact students who have approved access to the lab to take an inventory and ask on a case-by-case basis if they will need access to the lab or store any materials/equipment. We will then follow up about if we can accommodate your needs and storage options with you directly. Any students or teams that don’t need the space in the summer will need to remove items by the indicated date, or they will become C-SED property and may be disposed of.