FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Got questions about the CEID's space, activities, and resources? Chances are, you'll find the answers here! For additional information, contact us and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
The CEID seems really cool — how do I get involved?
Faculty, staff, and students from any department or major at Yale can become members of the CEID -- check out our membership page for details.
How do I stay informed about events at the CEID?
There are many ways to stay up-to-date on CEID events and happenings: sign up for the newsletter detailing programming and events by scrolling to the bottom of this page. You can visit the membership tab on the website to sign up for membership.
How do I organize a visit to the CEID?
If you are a member of the Yale community, we strongly recommend becoming a member by watching the virtual orientation of the space. Once you are oriented, you will gain swipe access and can come into the space during our open hours.
Can I reserve meeting rooms at the CEID?
CEID meeting rooms can be reserved by courses and CEID-affiliated student organizations. Our lecture space can also be reserved for events, and can seat up to 40 people. To inquire about reserving a space in the CEID, please fill out the form on the room request page.
You must become a member of our space to work in the CEID and reserve our spaces, including our meeting rooms! Furthermore, all participants under the reservation must be CEID members. Check out our Membership page for details.
I want to store stuff at the CEID, how do I go about that?
For the most part, due to space constraints we don't have the ability to store projects at the CEID. In some cases, lockers can be requested for projects at the CEID. Contact us if you think this would be applicable to your/your group’s project.
When do I need to wear close-toed shoes, safety glasses, or other protective gear in the CEID?
You must be wearing closed-toes at all times in the CEID. Safety glasses are required for instances of cutting, banging, compressing, use of power tools, and proximity to work requiring safety glasses.
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
Can I buy materials from the CEID?
We don’t sell materials at the CEID, but what we have is free to use, including electronics, fasteners, wood, and 3D printing. A few useful places to get materials around Yale and online are Digikey, Sparkfun, Hull's New Haven, McMaster-Carr, and Home Depot.
Which machines do I need training for at the CEID, and how do I get trained?
To use the 3D printers, laser cutter, or machine shop equipment, you will need to first become a member of the CEID, and then take the appropriate training.
Can I bring my own stuff to the CEID?
Yes! Feel free to bring in materials you need to the CEID, but please make sure to take any remaining supplies with you after you've finished working. Only CEID equipment can be used in our space, and equipment cannot be taken out of the space for work elsewhere.
3D PRINTING
The 3D printers are awesome — how do I get access?
To use our 3D printers, you should first become a CEID member. Next, complete the 3D Printer training. Trained members normally have 24/7 hour access to our Makerbots, and can also submit jobs to our specialty printers.
Can I print on the higher-quality specialty printers?
Our specialty printers are run by the staff, but 3D printer trained members may request a job on them, if it is applicable for their project. Jobs on these printers are contingent on staff approval. If in doubt about which printer to use for your project, feel free to contact us and ask!
What if I want to 2D print something?
The CEID has a BW/color printer in front of the CEID office. 2D printing at the CEID works on the Yale Blueprint system. Log into one of our cluster computers to get access, and printing costs are the same as the rest of Yale's campus.
What kinds of 3D printers do you have, and what are their specifications?
REPLICATOR +: introductory, member-use machines
Model material: PLA (variety of colors)
Support material: Model material, clipped off by hand
Build size: 295 x 195 x 165 mm (11.6 x 7.6 x 6.5 in)
Accuracy: +/- 0.100mm (0.004 in)STRATASYS F370: for larger, more durable prints or parts with complex internal supports
Model material: ABS (black, white, blue), TPU
Support material: Soluble support technology, dissolvable in sodium hydroxide (removed in-house)
Build size: 355 x 254 x 355 mm (14 x 10 x 14 in)
Accuracy: +/- 0.200mm (0.008 in)FORM 3L: for high detail or specialty engineering materials
Model material: Standard (black, white, clear, grey), flexible 80A, durable, tough 1500
Support material: Model material, clipped off by hand (not removed in-house)
Build size: 335 x 200 x 300 mm (13.2 x 7.9 x 11.8 in)
Accuracy: +/- 0.025 mm (0.001 in)MARK TWO (operated by the Greenberg Engineering Teaching Concourse): for incredible strength in one plane
Model material: onyx, onyx with carbon fiber, onyx with Kevlar
Support material: Model material, clipped off by hand (not removed in-house)
Build size: 320 x 132 x 154 mm (12.6 x 5.2 x 6 in)
Accuracy: +/- 0.100 mm (0.004 in)
Laser Cutter
What types of files does the laser cutter support?
The laser cutter reads .cdr file extensions. Corel Draw is the software that we use to interface with the laser cutter. Please make all final edits on your machine, or on one of the CEID workstations prior to using the laser cutter. We want to make sure that when you are on the machine dedicated to the laser cutter, that it is plug-and-play to keep the workflow going.
How large can my material be?
The laser cutter bed can cut and engrave materials up to 24"x48" with up to 0.5” thickness.
What is the time limit for a cut?
Please keep your cuts under 30 minutes so that the laser cutter can be used by other members.
How do I get access to the laser cutter?
To use our laser cutter, you should first become a CEID member. Next, complete the virtual laser cutter training. The last step is to complete a practice test cut at the CEID to become fully certified—sign up for a time slot via Calendly.
What kinds of materials can I cut?
Materials that are approved for the laser cutter are: wood (general and hard woods), acrylic, mat board, cardboard, paper, cork, and leather. If you are planning on cutting other materials, please check in with staff. Materials are limited to 1/2" thickness.
When is the laser cutter available for use?
During the year, laser cutter hours are 1pm to 9pm, Monday through Friday. Hours may vary during holidays, summer, and breaks.
During Summer 2023, the laser cutter will be open from 1pm to 4pm, Monday through Friday.
Can I mass-produce key chains / other items on the laser cutter
No. The CEID is here to support prototyping, not mass-manufacturing.
The Shops
How do I get access to the shops?
For the metal shop, you must have completed CEID's Introductory Shop Training. Check our newsletter for new training times released weekly. You must be supervised at all times while in the shop.
For the woodshop, you must have completed at least the Introductory Shop Training of the metal shop training.
Once you completed the trainings, you are able to work in the shops under supervision from our shop supervisors, during shop hours or by appointment.