FabLab training is designed to help you build the knowledge, judgment, and practical skill needed to work safely and independently.
Access is based on the equipment and process you want to use. It is not based only on whether you are a student, faculty member, staff member, or experienced maker.
Access to the room is not authorization to use every machine in the room.
FabLab equipment can create hazards involving:
Training establishes a shared safety and operating baseline. It also ensures that users understand local equipment, emergency procedures, materials, software, and expectations.
Previous experience is valuable, but it does not replace local training.
Depending on the equipment, your pathway may include:
General orientation
Learn the layout, emergency procedures, shared-space expectations, and how to ask for help.
Process introduction
Learn what the equipment does, what it is appropriate for, and its major limitations.
Safety instruction
Identify hazards, required protective equipment, prohibited actions, and emergency controls.
Material and file preparation
Learn which materials are permitted and how to prepare an appropriate file, setup, or operation.
Staff demonstration
Observe the correct startup, operation, shutdown, and cleanup sequence.
Supervised practice
Complete an operation while a qualified person observes.
Practical demonstration
Show that you can prepare, operate, monitor, and leave the equipment in a safe condition.
Authorization or continued supervision
FabLab staff determine whether you may work independently or need additional guided practice.
Not every tool requires every step. Higher-risk or more complex equipment requires more preparation and human involvement.
FabLab equipment generally falls into one of these access patterns.
These are lower-risk tools or resources that may be used after completing general orientation and reviewing the posted instructions.
These tools require a brief introduction or check-in with staff before use. After the introduction, users may be permitted to work independently within the demonstrated limits.
These machines require formal training and a practical demonstration before independent use.
Laser cutters and many woodworking machines fall into this category.
These processes require machine-specific onboarding and staff involvement. A qualified staff member may need to review the file, material, setup, or operation before and during use.
Some specialized equipment is available only through an approved course, research, institutional, or advanced project pathway. It is not available for ordinary walk-in use.
The posted equipment status and current staff instruction always control.
A reservation gives you access to a scheduled period. It does not prove that you are trained or authorized.
Before using reserved equipment, you must still satisfy:
For laser reservations, use UK’s EMS system.
Equipment requirements apply consistently to:
Faculty status, seniority, previous shop experience, or an approaching deadline does not waive equipment-specific requirements.
Experienced users may move through training quickly, but they must still demonstrate knowledge of the FabLab’s equipment and procedures.
Supervised use means that an authorized person must be present and actively responsible for the supervision defined for that process.
It does not mean that:
If required supervision is no longer available, pause or stop the operation safely.
Even an authorized user may not use equipment that is:
Do not remove an equipment-status label or attempt to return a machine to service yourself.
Ask FabLab staff if the machine’s status is unclear.
FabLab staff may ask you to review instructions or complete supervised practice when:
A refresher is a normal safety and learning tool. It is not a punishment.
FabLab staff and authorized student workers may pause or stop an operation because of:
A stop-work action protects people, equipment, and the shared facility. It is not automatically a conduct finding.
Follow the instruction, leave the equipment in a safe condition, and work with staff to identify the next step.
Authorization carries continuing responsibilities.
You must:
To begin:
If you are unsure which training you need, start with Your First FabLab Visit.