Talk:Maker Space Manager System

LabSwipe /MSM System Development History & Future Road Map

Future Enhancements

Road Map for future enhancements.

Move tool-to-use selection further downstream from sign-in

Currently, the MSM system asks each maker which tools they will be using when they first swipe in at the front door. We've found this results in distorted statistics as many users just select the first tool they see on the list, etc. .......

An improvement would be to simplify the swipe-in process so no questions are asked and move the tool selection process closer to each tool, for example by having a swipe terminal at the door to (or inside of) each of our workshop studios or by having a tool lockout device that also tracks tool usage.

Tool Lock-Out

For certain tools that are deemed to be dangerous, such as a CNC router, CNC milling machine, band saw, etc. The MSM system should support a lock-out capability that requires each maker to swipe their ID (or other authentication mechanism such as NFC, RFID, etc) before using that tool. The MSM system would look up the maker s ID in a central database, and if able to verify that the maker is trained and certified to use the tool would grant access. The granting of access would enable the tool either by applying power, enabling a logical signal read by that tool's controller, or deactivating the tool's e-stop circuit.

Tool Check-Out

Since demand for access to tools varies, it would be helpful for MSM to manage access to popular tools by requiring the maker to check-out a tool for a fixed period of time. When a different maker wiashes to use the tool, they would see that the tool was currently in use by another maker and would also see the time the tool is expected to be checked back in.

If a tool is still being used by that maker after the check-in time has passed, the new maker would have the right to be the next to use the tool.

The new maker would be given priority as the next user of the tool (see reservation below)

Ideally, the system would send an SMS message or some other sort of notification that the maker's use time has expired.

Should the system shut down tools after use time expires (assuming the tool is lock-out enabled)

Should the system allow a maker to extend their use of the tool if no one else is waitng to use the tool?

Tool Reservation

Several tools (such as laser cutters or 3D printers are popular and makers often wish to sign-up in advance for a window of time to use the tool. In the case of 3D printers, a print job could run for many hours, or even multiple days. It would be useful for MSM to allow makers to reserve time on a tool and allow other makers to see that the tool is reserved and unavailable until a given time.

Reservations block-out for class times or maintenance windows.

Manager skills matching

Provide a new capability in MSM to allow staff and volunteer managers to swipe in and out while indicating if they are working or just using the space as a maker.

The system should provide a display of all on-duty managers and staff, displaying each manager's photo and list of each's skills / specialties. This to help makers using the space know who to best ask questions about a particular tool or technique.

Resale of maker materials, tooling, etc.

We would like to be able to resell materials such as sheet goods (plywood, MDF, acrylic, etc.) 3D printer filament, tooling (CNC router bits, milling machine tooling, etc.) This is a service to makers who don't necessarily have the ability to transport physically large materials.

Notes on other commercial or open source systems with similar functionality

Scholarly article on value of information collected using Maker Lens / MakerPass access system.

https://people.eecs.berkeley.edu/~eschoop/docs/makerlens.pdf