Plastics Workshop
The plastics workshop is currently not open for new requests!
For organizational reasons, we are unfortunately unable to accept new requests for the plastics workshop at the moment. We are working on being able to support you again in this area of the makerspace soon.
In our plastics workshop, you will find various machines for processing plastics, enabling you to turn prototypes and potentially even small production runs into reality according to your ideas. In addition to the plastics machines themselves, this workshop may also house other equipment that can be somewhat more hazardous or unpleasant, for example due to fumes.
Who is the contact person for the plastics workshop?
title: Al Barkanowitz
Al Barkanowitz
"Hi, I’m Al (she/her), and I’ve been leading the plastics workshop since 2024. If you have questions or ideas related to plastic materials or processing techniques, I’m happy to help. In addition to concrete technical questions about implementing your ideas, I’m also available if you want to explore creative or experimental approaches.
Through my studies in art, German studies, educational sciences, and performance research, I bring a broad range of knowledge and experience that I can draw on to support you in realizing your projects. Beyond my role in the Makerspace, I also work as an interdisciplinary artist and DIY expert, and I’m happy to advise you on the visual aspects of your ideas as well."
- For general inquiries, you can contact our team here.
- For specific questions, you can reach me directly at:
How can I use the plastics workshop?
To use the plastics workshop, participation in the General Safety Briefing and at least one specialized training session in one of the work areas listed below is required. The first training session also includes a general workshop orientation and, if necessary, instruction and briefing on positive-pressure respiratory protection as well as other safety topics.
Go to the 'Plastics Workshop' workspace folder with additional documents
In this folder, you will find further documentation for all areas of the plastics workshop, such as user manuals, operating instructions, templates and samples, tutorials, and other resources intended to make your work easier. As always: together we are stronger — we appreciate every contribution to our shared pool of knowledge and experience!
Plastic Recycling / Shredding and Injection Molding
There is no need to explain how important waste reduction, recycling, and meaningful value cycles are anymore. With the Precious Plastics project, there are fantastic opportunities for recycling plastic — thanks to the Maker in Residence 2023 program, now also available here!
Our equipment (links lead to the manufacturers’ websites):
- Plasticpreneur Shredder for shredding plastics
- Plasticpreneur Injection Machine manual injection molding machine
- Plasticpreneur Air Filter extraction system for injection molding and other processes
Stereolithography (SLA 3D Printing)
In SLA printing (also known as vat photopolymerization), an energy source cures light-sensitive resins layer by layer to create a 3D object. Compared to other 3D printing processes, SLA offers the highest resolution and the best surface smoothness. Typical applications include functional prototyping, dentistry, and model making.
Our equipment (links lead to the manufacturers’ websites):
- Formlabs Form 3 build volume: 145 x 145 x 185 mm
- Prusa SL1S build volume: 127 x 80 x 150 mm
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS 3D Printing)
In this 3D printing process, fine plastic powder is distributed for each layer of the object being created. A laser fuses (sinters) the powder particles required for the shape of the object in a selective manner. At the end, the model is “excavated” from a powder bed, and excess powder inside the model is poured out through an opening. The uncured powder supports the emerging model during printing, meaning that (unlike with FDM or SLA 3D printing) no support structures are required. Compared to other 3D printing processes, SLS printing is particularly well suited for producing complex and durable parts. Its primary use case is functional prototyping.
Our equipment (links lead to the manufacturers’ websites):
- Sintratec S2 maximum part size: 130 x 360 mm with post-processing station
Vacuum Forming
In vacuum forming (also known as thermoforming), a heat-deformable material is placed over a mold and heated. The air between the material and the mold is then extracted. Due to the resulting vacuum, the material conforms precisely to the mold. After cooling, the material retains this new shape permanently.
Our equipment (links lead to the manufacturers’ websites):
- Formech 1372 forming area: 1330 x 620 mm, maximum draw depth: 420 mm
Vacuum Casting
Vacuum casting allows prototypes and small production runs to be made from various epoxy and polyurethane resins. As with all casting processes, a mold must first be produced — typically from silicone. A special feature of the resins used for casting is the wide variety of available properties. They differ in hardness, similarity to mass-production plastics, fire resistance, medical certifications, and much more. Another advantage of the process is the ability to produce small series, typically around 15 to 30 parts per silicone mold.
Our equipment (links lead to the manufacturers’ websites):
- Schüchl UHG-400 Easy (chamber height: 405 mm, width: 400 mm, depth: 455 mm)
- 2× climate/heating chambers (UF 75 and UF 110) up to 300 °C, one with controllable ventilation
- Various accessories, for example for mold making
Additional usage options
The heating chambers can of course also be used for heating, drying, and tempering materials such as filament for FDM 3D printing, recycled plastic, ceramics, metal, or applications from entirely different fields. However, they are not food-safe.
The vacuum casting machine can also be useful in its function as a vacuum chamber for a wide range of applications, such as degassing materials.
Plastic Welding
A handheld plastic welding device can be used, for example, to weld sheets, rods, and other plastic semi-finished products together or to repair (larger) plastic parts. Such a device works similarly to FDM printers or even a standard hot glue gun, using an extruder through which a plastic filament is fed. This material then joins the parts to be welded, which are preheated by the device.
Our equipment (links lead to the manufacturers’ websites):
- Munsch MAK-18
- Various hot air guns and tools
CNC Machining
The plastics workshop itself contains a compact desktop CNC milling machine from the model-making sector, which can be used to produce, for example, small molds for casting or thermoforming as well as fixtures and auxiliary tools.
Larger plastic projects in the makerspace can be cut, milled, or turned in various ways. Depending on the desired result, material, size, and thickness, options include the laser cutters in the rapid prototyping lab or metal workshop, the CNC gantry mill and handheld CNC router in the woodworking shop, or of course the lathes and milling machines in the metal workshop.
Additional usage options for the desktop CNC milling machine
Like many things in the makerspace, the desktop CNC milling machine from the plastics workshop also serves various additional purposes. For example, it is a very suitable device for general CNC beginners, can also be used for woodworking, and is occasionally used in the electronics workshop to mill circuit boards.
Our equipment (links lead to the manufacturers’ websites):
- Roland SRM-20 Desktop CNC Milling Machine (working area 203.2 x 152.4 x 60.5 mm).
- Various accessories, for example tool holders with diameters of 6 mm, 3 mm, and 3.175 mm, or a vise for easy clamping of parts.
Perhaps in the Future...
Do you have feedback on the topics listed here? Are you a manufacturer of THE device in one of the mentioned areas and interested in a test or demo location? Do you have other thoughts on the topic? Get in touch with us!
Composite Materials
Fiber-reinforced composites include, for example, carbon fiber parts as commonly used in automotive engineering and many other applications. We are currently exploring what kind of infrastructure we will offer in this area. On the one hand, we are considering providing a workstation for traditional hand lay-up lamination; on the other hand, there are very interesting developments in 3D printing, such as reinforcing FDM prints with fibers. However, both options will still take some time.
3D Printer Farm
FDM printing enjoys significant demand worldwide — and also here in the makerspace. It may therefore make sense in the future to expand our capacities and set up a small “3D printer farm.” In other words, multiple centrally controlled and as highly automated as possible 3D printers. However, this is only a consideration for now and therefore more of a long-term idea.
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