Makerspace

The Makerspace is a creative space equipped with new creative technology. It is a place where people can gather to learn how new and innovative equipment works, share ideas, and create in a collaborative or independent environment.

The Makerspace is located at Avondale Heights Library and Learning Centre.

We offer various workshops and inductions on 3D printers and laser cutters, smart cutters, and various sewing machines and digitising equipment. Library members who have completed an induction on specific equipment can use the space for their own independent projects. 

3D printers:

These are machines that use Computer Aided Design (CAD) to create three dimensional objects from a digital file. We have:

• Flashforge Adventure 4 x 2
• Flashforge Creator 3

Laser cutters:  

A machine that cuts or engraves materials accurately using a thin laser beam. We have:

• Emblaser Pro 40W x 2

Cricut machines:

• Cricut Maker 3: A smart cutter that you can use to create decals, stickers and heat transfer designs.
• Cricut EasyPress: A heat press that transfers your smart-cut, heat transfer designs onto fabrics.

Sewing machines: 

• Janome Sewist 780DC: Simple to use, fully computerised sewing machine that is packed with time saving features including automatic thread trimmer and has 80 stitch options. We have four of these machines.  
• Bernette b48 Funlock: An overlocker and coverstitch machine with a wide range of features. It can do overlocking, coverstitches and rolled hems.  
• Juki TL-2010Q: This is a 1 needle, lockstitch, sewing machine with automatic thread trimmer and can be used for quilting and heavier weight fabrics. 

Digitising equipment:  

• Epson Perfection V850 Pro: A powerful scanner that enables both single image and bulk scanning of a wide variety of film sizes. A large bed allows scanning of any other flat document up to A3 size. 
• Kodak Scanza: A simple scanner for a variety of film sizes. The built in screen and SD card reader allows for quick and easy scanning. 
• Plustek OptikFilm 8200i SE: A dedicated 35mm film scanner. Enables high quality, archival quality scans. Dedicated software allows for complex editing.    
• ScanSnap SV600 book scanner: An overhead, contactless scanner. Perfect for multi-page documents, or those that won’t fit on a flat-bed scanner. 

Yes, you can. To use the Makerspace and equipment for your own projects, you must: 

• Be a current member of Moonee Valley Libraries
• Be aged 16+ years 
• Have completed an induction on the equipment you would like to use 

Not a library member yet? Start by signing up online or visiting one of our library branches. Then visit our events page to book an induction.

Inductions teach the basics of using the equipment safely, and give you resources to help you learn to use the equipment and software independently. 

Inductions will not teach in-depth machine maintenance and setup, or in-depth digital design using design software.

If you want to use more than one type of equipment, you must attend a separate induction for each equipment type (eg. a laser cutter induction and a separate digitising induction).

Bookings for induction sessions are available through our website here. 

Once you’ve completed your induction, you will be emailed details of how to book the equipment to use independently without staff supervision.

You can only book to use the specific equipment that you have been inducted on.

Bookings can be for an hour or the whole independent work session, during the following times: 

• Mondays 9am-1pm 
• Thursdays 4pm-7.30pm 
• Fridays 1pm-5pm
• Saturdays 10am-3pm (first and second Saturdays of the month only) 

There is no charge. The use of the space and materials supplied by Moonee Valley Libraries are free. However, the resources are not to be used for commercial purposes or mass production.

There is also recycled cardboard available for test cutting on the laser cutters.

The Makerspace supplies materials for the laser cutters and 3D printers (see specifications below).
You must only use materials supplied by the Makerspace in these machines.

You must supply your own materials when using the sewing machines. This includes fabric, thread and any other haberdashery.

You must provide your own materials to use in the Cricut machines - a quick online search will help you find where to source materials.

Bring along photographs, memorabilia, letters, slides and negatives to scan using our digitising equipment.

Specifications:

Materials supplied for use with the laser cutters:

• Plywood (poplar-laser) 3mm
• Acrylic (opaque) 3mm  
• Felt (synthetic) 2.5mm  
• Felt (synthetic) 6mm  
• Paper (150-300gsm) 0.25mm  
• Recycled cardboard (for practice)  

Materials supplied for use with the 3D printers:

• 1.75mm PLA Pro filament 
  • You may only use the filament that is already loaded in the printers; you cannot choose the colour of your 3D object.

Moonee Valley Libraries run programs teaching the basics of Makerspace equipment and design software. You can check for upcoming programs and register through our events page.

There are many online resources available to help with your learning journey, including YouTube tutorials, and LinkedIn Learning courses (accessible with your Moonee Valley Libraries membership). There are links under the heading Useful Resources on this page.

Remember, using the Makerspace equipment is a self-learning journey. We encourage you to use your web-searching skills to find useful online resources to help you learn and give you creative inspiration!

The use of Makerspace equipment is for self-directed projects. Library staff cannot 3D print or laser cut your project for you. 

If you have a project that you’d like 3D printed or laser cut, we encourage you to attend an induction for that specific equipment and then book in to operate the equipment yourself.