Innovation Lab

SAFETY FIRST

1. BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS WHILE INSIDE THE PHS INNOVATION LAB
   • Learners will display all Portola PRIDE values while in the Innovation Lab (Lab)
   • Learners will act with maturity and keep their hands, arms, and legs to themselves
   • Learners will only walk while in the Lab
   • Learners will look for and be careful of cords, plugs, equipment, and/or other obstacles in the Lab and move safely around them
   • Learners will quickly listen to the staff member/s present
   • Learners will use a speaking volume appropriate to the Lab
   • Learners will utilize school-appropriate language at all times
   • Learners may only be in the Lab with a staff member present
   • Learners will tell staff right away if something breaks--integrity is a school value that would be honored by this
2. CELL PHONES
   Cell phone pockets will be used upon entering. Phones may only be used with teacher permission to help ensure that learners are paying attention to safety & learning at all times.
3. PROTECTIVE EYE WEAR
   There is a wall case with a class set of safety goggles to use when operating the wood and metal working equipment.
4. SIGNAGE
   Signs will be obeyed at all times, or learners will be asked to leave the lab. Common signage is about safety, like only using the laser engraver when staff is present, or wearing safety goggles when operating the wood working equipment. There is signage about behavior as well, such as treating the equipment, learners, and staff with respect.
5. VISITORS / VOLUNTEERS
   If parents or community members want to help out or observe in the Innovation Lab, then they must enter through the Administration building and receive a visitors badge from the reception desk. A valid driver's license will be required as well as an appointment through Ms. Kern at least one day in prior to visiting please.

3D PRINTER

A 3D printer is a machine that creates three-dimensional objects by building them layer by layer based on a digital design. Unlike traditional manufacturing methods, which often involve subtracting material (like cutting or milling), 3D printing is an additive process, meaning it adds material to create the desired shape.

What It Does:

1. Art and Design: Artists and designers use 3D printers to create sculptures, functional art, or intricate designs that would be difficult to achieve using traditional methods.
2. Personalized Products: With 3D printing, products can be customized to the individual. This can include personalized jewelry, custom-fit prosthetics, or even bespoke fashion items.
3. Manufacture Complex Geometries: 3D printers can create highly complex, intricate shapes and structures that would be difficult or impossible to produce with traditional methods.
4. Produce Custom Parts: 3D printing is ideal for making custom, one-off parts or small batches of specific components.
5. Create Prototypes: 3D printers are widely used in product design and engineering for rapid prototyping. Designers can create physical models of their ideas quickly to test form, fit, and function.

The Innovation Lab currently uses a PRUSA 3D printer. Multiple colors of filament are available and most learners utilize it by first making an appointment with Ms. Kern.

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BAND SAW

A band saw is a power tool used for cutting wood, metal, plastic, and other materials. The band saw is typically used for making straight cuts, curves, and intricate shapes with high precision.

What It Does:

1. Cutting Materials: For woodworking projects such as furniture, cabinetry, and custom cuts.
2. Curved and Straight Cuts: Unlike some saws that only cut straight lines, a band saw is capable of cutting both straight lines and complex curves. This makes it highly versatile for detailed work. It can be used for a variety of woodworking projects.

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DRILL PRESS

A drill press is a stationary power tool used for drilling precise holes into various materials such as wood, metal, plastic, and more. Unlike handheld drills, which require the user to control the depth and alignment of the hole, a drill press offers a higher level of accuracy and repeatability.

What It Does:

1. Drilling Precise Holes: The primary function of a drill press is to drill precise, straight holes with consistent depth. It’s perfect for when accuracy is required, such as when drilling multiple holes in a pattern.
2. Adjustable Depth Control: The drill press allows the user to set a specific depth for drilling, ensuring that holes are drilled to the exact desired depth every time.

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Bench GRINDER

A bench grinder is a stationary power tool with two rotating abrasive wheels, called grinding wheels. It is primarily used for grinding, sharpening, and shaping tools or materials.

What It Does:

1. Sharpening Tools: One of the most common uses for a bench grinder is to sharpen tools like chisels, drill bits, and various bladed tools. The grinding wheels help reshape the edges of these tools to restore their cutting ability.
2. Grinding Metal: A bench grinder is frequently used to remove material from metal workpieces. This can be done for smoothing rough edges, deburring metal, or shaping metal parts.
3. Shaping: The grinder can be used to shape materials, particularly metals, by grinding off small amounts at a time to achieve the desired form.
4. Polishing: With the right type of grinding wheel or attachment (such as a buffing wheel), a bench grinder can be used for polishing and cleaning metal parts, leaving a smooth, shiny finish.

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LASER engraver

A laser engraver is a precision tool that uses a laser beam to etch or engrave designs onto various materials. The process involves focusing a high-powered laser onto a surface, which either burns or vaporizes a thin layer of material to create the desired pattern or text.

What It Does:

1. Engraving: The laser can etch detailed designs, logos, text, or images onto a material's surface. It burns or vaporizes the top layer to create marks that are permanent and can range from shallow to deep, depending on the settings.
2. Cutting: In addition to engraving, laser engravers can also cut through thin materials.It can cut through wood, acrylic, fabric, paper, and other thin materials with great precision.
3. Acrylic and Wood Projects: Laser engraving is widely used in creating custom signs, awards, jewelry, and other decorative or functional items. Wood, acrylic, and leather are some of the most common materials for laser engraving.
4. Personalization: Many businesses and crafters use laser engravers to personalize products, such as engraving names, logos, or custom artwork on items.

Portola has a professional level Universal Laser Systems laser engraver that can etch, engrave, and cut. The design computer that we use to typeset engraving jobs has Corel Draw installed on it. The different materials that can go into the machine are as follows:

• Wood
• Acrylic
• Metal
• Glass

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DisC sander

A disc sander is a type of power tool used for smoothing, shaping, and finishing surfaces, typically in woodworking, metalworking, or other crafts. The abrasive surface of the disc removes material from the workpiece, allowing you to achieve a smooth, even finish.

What It Does:

1. Sanding and Smoothing Surfaces: The primary function of a disc sander is to sand surfaces smooth. It can be used to smooth rough or uneven surfaces on wood, metal, plastic, and other materials.
2. Shaping Edges: Disc sanders are often used for edge work, like rounding off edges or shaping them to a specific profile. The abrasive surface allows for controlled shaping of workpieces.
3. Deburring: It can remove sharp edges or burrs left on materials after cutting or machining, making the surface safer and more polished.
4. Finishing: After rough sanding with coarser tools, a disc sander can be used to refine the finish and prepare the workpiece for painting, staining, or other finishing techniques.

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VARIOUS no-tech activities

yarn crafts

POM POM MAKING:

• Typically offered around the holidays
• Laser cut shapes can be used to glue pom poms to, for example: wreath making

LOOMING PROJECTS:

• Scarves
• Beanies

repurposed materials

T-SHIRTS:

• Plain t-shirts can be used for ironing on a heat transfer decal to
• T-shirt "yarn" can be cut from old shirts to use in yarn crafts like the ones previously listed

NATURAL MATERIALS:

• Rocks with smooth surfaces may be used for rock painting
• Pine cones may be made into little holiday trees, or into bird feeders

calligraphy

MODERN CALLIGRAPHY:

• The Innovation Lab has a class set of calligraphy pens for learners to practice calligraphy
• Sessions about this in the past have been taught by learners

VINYL CUTTER

A vinyl cutter is a computer-controlled machine used to cut designs, letters, and shapes out of vinyl sheets. It functions similarly to a printer but instead of printing ink, it uses a blade to cut the vinyl material.

What It Does:

1. Cutting Vinyl: The primary purpose of a vinyl cutter is to cut vinyl sheets into custom shapes and designs. These cuts are often used for signs, decals, stickers, banners, and other custom applications.
2. Design Creation: The designs for cutting are created on a computer using specialized software (such as Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, or dedicated vinyl cutting software). These designs are then sent to the cutter, which interprets them and cuts accordingly.
3. Customization: It can cut intricate designs and text, making it a popular tool for personalized products and branding.

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All designs need to be emailed, or shared in Google Drive, to Mrs. Cramer at least one day before you want to print your design. Images must be copyright compliant and have a high resolution. Contact Mrs. Cramer for help with making, or finding, copyright images you may print.