Makerspace 3D Printer and VR Lab

Innovate. Create. Problem-Solve.

With the largest 3-D printing capacity of any nonprofit in the state of Wisconsin, Concordia’s new Makerspace Lab is more than equipped to help your greatest innovations take shape. The Makerspace fosters creativity and entrepreneurship while aiding learning outcomes for students across all disciplines. Located on the first floor of the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, the space supports students and community members alike by providing the real estate, resources, and instructional support for students to flex their problem-solving skills, create practical applications, or build simply for the fun of it.

Life saving applications

The Makerspace team started out by printing small but practical items such as cell phone cases, antique sewing machine bobbins, and coat hangers. Then, with the COVID-19 outbreak, they quickly rose to life-saving applications.

Concordia community mask project

In mid-March 2020, Concordia began an effort to 3-D print N95-modeled masks to be delivered to area professionals who are combating the novel coronavirus. Concordia teamed up with UWM’s Prototyping Center to come up with a design and worked with area medical experts on the front lines to receive direct feedback on modifying the prototype.

A team effort

As part of the Community Mask Project, Concordia recruited citizens, schools, and businesses throughout the state to register their 3-D printers and to contribute to the printing effort under the guidance and support of Concordia and its cohort.

Nearly 130 Wisconsin residents and just under 40 out-of-state makers registered their printers.

Concordia's COVID response

The Concordia Community Mask Project aims to produce necessary N95-modeled masks for area first responders.

Offset the costs

Thanks to donor support, Concordia is offering PPE to frontline workers at no cost (until funds are depleted). Help provide a mask for a worker in need.

Volunteer

Once the masks are 3-D printed, some finishing touches are still needed. Volunteers are needed to help pour silicone inserts and assemble the filter packets.

Get the design

Concordia’s Makerspace team, along with UWM’s Prototyping Lab, have developed an open-source design for an N95-modeled mask that is available to anyone with a 3-D printer.

Request PPE

The cost is about $15 per face mask and $3 per face shield; however, Concordia is able to offer them free of charge thanks to the support of donors.

Request PPE

Inspiration in action

Colorful spools of PLA, the plastic material used for 3-D printing, are always on hand in the lab, ready for the next creator.

Yiming Liao, a graduate assistant for the computer science program, is a regular in the Makerspace. He oversees the machines and is on hand to troubleshoot the printing process.

91��’s makerspace offers the most 3-D printers and the largest additive manufacturing capabilities in the state.

Dr. Mike Litman became the head of Concordia’s computer science department ahead of the 2019-20 academic year, just in time for the opening of the Makerspace. An experienced and demonstrated tech entrepreneur, Litman is largely responsible for the creation of the Makerspace.

Several 3D-printed figurines of varying sizes adorn the makerspace, showing off the personality and interests of those who utilize the machines.

Get started

The process of creating something is relatively simple. Once you have an idea, the first step is to create a 3-D model using computer-aided design (CAD) software. The model is then formatted for printing using additional software that’s readily available in the space. Depending on the size and material, the printing could take minutes or days to complete. The space is staffed by computer science students and faculty to assist creators at every step.

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