What do you want to create? The Idea Lab can help with that.

The Idea Lab provides 3D printing services to you! If you have something you would like 3D printed, simply provide us with your 3D model files, and some information about what you’re printing. Your print will be added to the queue, and we will contact you to come and pick it up when it is done!

Send us your 3D Model for Printing [link opens in new tab]

If you are unable to submit your request through this form please contact The Idea Lab for assistance.

Per our User Agreement, BPL reserves the right to halt, delete or disallow the creation of items that violate Library policy, including the creation of weapons and illegal items; and to manage the 3D print queue to best accommodate demand from the Lab’s many users.
Patrons submitting print requests (or series of requests within 1 month) requiring more than 200 grams of filament will be asked to provide their own filament. The Idea Lab will provide guidance to assist patrons in purchasing filament. Any filament brought to the library must be left directly with a member of Idea Lab staff.

3D Printer Filaments

We most commonly print using PLA, but we can print using just about any commercially available filament including:

• PLA – Polylactic acid
• PETG – Polyethylene terephthalate, glycol-modified
• TPU (Flexible) – Thermoplastic polyurethane
• ABS – Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (We don’t like to print ABS if we can avoid it. We recommend PETG instead.)
• ASA – Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate
• HIPS – High impact polystyrene
• NYLON – FDM Polyamides
• WOOD COMPOSITE
• METAL COMPOSITE
• and many others!

Read this helpful article comparing all currently marketed filament varieties [link opens in new tab].

The Idea Lab can help convert your old media into new digital files, including:

• Video Cassettes (VHS, S-VHS, VHS-C, 8mm/Hi8/Digital8, DV and MiniDV)
• Audio Cassettes
• Microcassettes
• Vinyl Records, LPs, etc. (33/45/78)
• 1/4″ Reel-to-reel audio tape
• Film Slides (35mm, 110, 126, 127, and odd sizes)
• Film Negatives
• 8mm, Super 8mm and 16mm motion picture film
• and many others!

We are also able to extract data from older digital formats including 3.5″ and 5.25″ floppy disks, Zip disks, Jaz disks, etc., and convert their contents to formats compatible with modern computers.

You can bring your materials to The Idea Lab during our hours of operation. Be sure that they are in a bag or box, clearly labeled with your name and contact information. The Idea Lab must be open and staffed in order to drop off materials. Materials may only be left directly with a member of Idea Lab staff. Requests are limited to 10 items at a time. We may be unable to accept new requests if our request queue is full.
We recommend you call us prior to your drop off or pick up to be sure that the lab is open and that someone will be available to take your request.

Please contact us via phone or email if you have questions about format conversion.

Laser Cutter/Engraver

Our 40 watt laser can cut and etch a wide array of materials. Compatible with wood, glass, paper/cardboard, cloth, leather, plastics, and many other materials. This versatile machine has countless uses – woodworking, fabrication, custom engraving, printed circuit board, stamp-making, and so much more.

The Idea Lab uses the material guide set forth by the Advanced Output Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. This well-researched guide dictates which materials are permitted for use with the laser.  View the SAIC AOC list [link opens in new tab].

Die Cutters

These machines use computer-controlled blades to slice into various flat materials, such as adhesive vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, paper, cardstock, and so on. Excellent for papercrafts, scrapbooking, printmaking, stencils, heat transfer graphics, and limitless other options.

Our makerspace offers an array of machines for textile creativity, from basic stitching to professional embroidery:

• Bai Mirror 1501 Embroidery Machine
  A commercial-grade, single-head, 15-needle embroidery machine designed for high precision and vibrant designs.  It can create detailed patterns, logos, and lettering on a wide range of fabrics, perfect for both personal projects and professional-quality work. A wide range of hoop sizes is available. Also includes an attachment for embroidery onto caps. The software, Hatch Embroidery Digitizer, is able to convert many existing images or graphics into stitch patterns, as well as being a full-featured embroidery creation suite.

• Brother SE1900 Sewing Machine
  A computerized sewing machine with a wide range of built-in stitches and advanced features. It offers utility, decorative, and quilting stitches, an automatic needle threader, adjustable stitch length and width, and a spacious work area. This makes it ideal for garment construction, quilting, and decorative sewing projects. Multiple needle gauges available.

• Singer Heavy Duty Serger
  A robust serger (overlock machine) built for speed and durability. It trims and finishes raw fabric edges while sewing, creating professional-quality seams, rolled hems, and stretch-friendly stitches—perfect for knits, activewear, and polished garment construction.

Whether you’re mending, creating custom garments, or adding detailed embroidery, these machines give you the tools to bring your textile projects to life.

Heat Presses

This device is used to apply heat and pressure for all kinds of transfer operations. Can be used with the sublimation printer for full color graphics, with the die cutters for heat transfer vinyl, or with premade plastisol transfers. Also useful for applying heat activated adhesives. We offer attachments for heat pressing cups/mugs, plates, and hats.

Heat Plates

Our Laboratory-grade heating plate has an integrated magnetic stirrer, and a detachable thermal probe to ensure perfect accuracy of temperature control. This device is useful in the process of candle making, soap making, or any other situation where the careful melting or heating of a substance is required.

These large digital drawing tablets are an excellent tool for creating digital art. Featuring powered styli with pressure/tilt sensitivity, and a bright full-color screen, they are compatible with Photoshop, Illustrator, or any other visual application. Also offering space navigator “3D mice” for use with CAD and 3D modelling software.

We have a large assortment of hand tools for a variety of uses:

• Soldering Irons
• Rotary Tool (aka Dremel)
• Pliers, adjustable wrenches
• Screw Tighteners (Flat & Phillips Head), Socket drivers, Ratchets  
• Pliers, adjustable wrenches
• Cutters, Knives, and Scissors
• Hot Glue gun
• Measuring Devices
• 3D Pens
• Paintbrushes and supplies
• and many others!

Easily make buttons or magnets from designs printed on paper. Multiple sizes available.

Ultrasonic Cleaner

For cleaning jewelry, metal parts, and more.

Desiccator

To dehydrate just about anything you put in it.

Here you can read the text of our Idea Lab User Agreement, which encompasses the rules and requirements for using the Idea Lab.

Purpose

The Idea Lab furthers the Baldwin Public Library’s (BPL’s) mission to help patrons learn, connect, and discover by:

• Facilitating patron exploration through hands-on experience with new technologies.
• Encouraging patrons to utilize and grow their creative, mechanical, and artistic skills as they create things of their own.
• Encouraging collaboration and the sharing of skills and knowledge among patrons.

Eligibility for use of The Idea Lab

The Idea Lab is best suited for users ages 14 and up. An adult, 18 years or older, must supervise users under age 14 at all times. Users 14-17 must have a parent or legal guardian review and sign this Idea Lab User Agreement on their behalf.

Prior to using the Idea Lab, users must review and complete this Idea Lab User Agreement Form and sign a Waiver of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement.

Users must participate in a mandatory certification session in order to use some of the equipment (e.g. laser cutter, embroidery machine, die cutter) on their own. To schedule a certification session, contact the Idea Lab staff at idealab@baldwinlib.org.

Rules of use

• Use of the Idea Lab is subject to the rules in this User Agreement, the BPL Code of Conduct, the Electronic Device, Network, and Internet Use Policy, as well as any other applicable BPL policies and procedures. Failure to abide by all applicable policies and procedures will result in suspension or loss of Idea Lab use privileges.
• Users should use the Idea Lab in a courteous, reasonable, and responsible manner. When using the equipment, use should be limited to one project if others are waiting. Users of BPL’s Idea Lab agree to respect any and all applicable copyright laws and licensing agreements. Furthermore, users agree not to use the Idea Lab in violation of any local, state, or federal ordinances, regulations, or laws.
• Users may not use equipment for projects that are inappropriate in a public setting or that create a disturbance. BPL reserves the right to halt, delete, or disallow the creation of items that violate BPL policy, including objects that:
• Are prohibited by local, state, or federal law
• Look like, function as, or appear to function as weapons, knives, or parts thereof
• Are unsafe, harmful, dangerous, or pose an immediate threat to the well-being of others
• Depict and/or resemble genitalia or that may be construed as obscene or otherwise inappropriate for the library environment, that lack obvious literary, or artistic value
• Contain depictions of obvious and known hate symbols, previously determined to be hate speech
• The Idea Lab staff reserves the right to reschedule, postpone, or interrupt large jobs or multiple requests to accommodate other requests and projects.
• Users will follow all applicable intellectual property laws, including copyright laws and are responsible for obtaining their own protections for any intellectual property developed in the Idea Lab.
• Materials deposited for Media Format Conversion may be damaged during the conversion process and the Idea Lab cannot be held responsible for this damage. Users of Media Format Conversion services should be aware that the physical condition of any personal media materials relinquished to the Idea Lab for digitization is not guaranteed. Materials deposited for Media Format Conversion are converted in a public area and may be seen or heard by library staff and visitors. Media that contains pornography or depictions of sex acts will not be converted.
• Some of the equipment located in the Idea Lab may contain aspects, parts, or components that can cause injury to the user if all rules, policies, procedures, and restrictions are not It is important to maintain a safe atmosphere at all times and required protective equipment is available for use.  Users agree to release and hold BPL harmless from any claims for personal injury, property damage, or any other loss in connection with the use of the Idea Lab, including the equipment, tools, and materials therein.
• The user agrees that BPL is not responsible for any manufacturing defects in the quality of workmanship or materials inherent in any of the tools or equipment. The user agrees that if any tool or piece of equipment becomes unsafe or in a state of disrepair, they will immediately discontinue use of the tool and notify Idea Lab staff.
• BPL staff will assist patrons using the Idea Lab to the extent that time, other duties, and patron demands will allow. One-on-one appointments can be made with Idea Lab staff to allow dedicated assistance at a time mutually convenient for the instructor and student.
• No food or drinks are permitted in the Idea Lab.
• A limited amount of 3D filament is offered per household per month at no charge.

Idea Lab materials and tools

Users are required to supply their own materials for use in their personal projects. This includes materials for use on the Laser Engraver, Die Cutter, 3D printers, etc. Small quantities of sample materials may be available for testing and layout, but this is not guaranteed. Only approved and compatible materials may be used with Idea Lab equipment. A list of compatible materials is available upon request. Use of incompatible materials is forbidden. Idea Lab Staff reserves the right to halt or disallow any project using incompatible or forbidden materials. Users agree to accept financial responsibility for any misuse or damage to Idea Lab computers and equipment. The Idea Lab is not responsible for damage caused to user-supplied materials.

Checking in, Reservations, and Session Length

Users are required to check-in with Idea Lab staff prior to using the Idea Lab. An Idea Lab staff member must always be present during use. Reservations for Idea Lab equipment are not required but are highly encouraged. Reservations can be made by contacting the Idea Lab at idealab@baldwinlib.org or 248-554-4659. BPL reserves the right to make advanced reservations for special purposes and events. BPL does not guarantee the availability of any equipment in the Idea Lab. Use of Idea Lab equipment is limited to two hours per piece of equipment per week. Users may request additional time by speaking with an Idea Lab staff member. BPL reserves the right to extend or reduce session length at its sole discretion.