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Workshop

Location: SID 109

Opportunities to design and work at full-scale are a vital part of the school’s educational values. This facility is equipped to support your hands-on discovery of three-dimensional design solutions, structural analysis and materials. Here is where you literally work things out. Knowledgeable staff will help you become familiar with equipment and will support your design explorations.

 

RULES AND SAFETY

Your 3D experiences are a vital part of the school’s educational values. This facility is equipped to support your hands-on discovery of three-dimensional design solutions, structural analysis and materials. Here is where you literally work things out. Knowledgeable staff will help you become familiar with equipment and will support your design explorations. SID-109 includes the various work areas: Bench Room, Machine Room and Casting Studios (Basement). Because of insurance and safety regulations, only registered Interior Design students have access to the Workshop. Student safety is a paramount concern of this workshop; consequently privileges are dependent on the strict observance of the rules and regulations.

 

ORIENTATION

All new students and students returning after an absence of two years are required to participate in the Workshop orientation during regular Orientation Week (see section 7.1) in order to attend classes. If you miss the orientation, you will be required to schedule another according to the availability of the workshop technicians.

 

SAFETY


No person will work alone in any areas of the machine room.

  1. No person will work alone in any areas of the machine room.
  2. Some equipment may only be operated by the technical staff or authorized faculty unless training is provided. Restricted facilities are identified in the Workshop. These include, but are not limited to the: jointer, planar, mitre saw, table saw, and CNC router.
  3. Guards on machines must be used at all times.
  4. Safety goggles and hearing protection must be worn while operating any power machinery. Goggles and ear plugs are available in the Workshop. 
  5. Distracting conversations and activities in work areas are dangerous and must not take place. Running in the Workshop is not allowed. Similarly, the use of cell phones is not allowed.

WHMIS

All students using the Workshop will be required to take the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Orientation. A quiz must be completed and presented to the technician before access to the shop is granted.

 

CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES

The following rules concern appropriate Workshop apparel:

  • Long sleeves must be rolled up.
  • Neckties, scarves, etc. are forbidden.
  • Heavy or loose jewelry must be removed (i.e., rings, watches, bracelets, necklaces, etc.)
  • Long hair must be tied back.
  • Non-slip, hard-toe, flat shoes must be worn.


ACCESS


During scheduled class time, access to material sales, tool loans, machine and general Workshop use will be limited to students of that particular class. Scheduled students have absolute precedence over machines and staff resources. Non-scheduled students who are disruptive may be asked to leave the workshop until class is over.

 
  1. During scheduled class time, access to material sales, tool loans, machine and general Workshop use will be limited to students of that particular class. Scheduled students have absolute precedence over machines and staff resources. Non-scheduled students who are disruptive may be asked to leave the workshop until class is over.
  2. A schedule of classes, material sales times and open hours will be posted at the beginning of each term.
  3. The Workshop is available only during supervised periods. From time-to-time arrangements can be made through the Technologist to use the work areas outside of class hours; however, a qualified staff member must supervise the work areas.
  4. Never store your projects without consulting the workshop staff. If storage is granted please label the project clearly with: Full name, Course, Program Year. Store your materials and projects at your own discretion.
  5. No outside visitors are allowed in the shop. The Workshop space is SID student access only.

 

EQUIPMENT

 

  1. At all times power equipment/tools must be used as directed by the instructor and/or workshop staff. No student may use the workshop equipment without first having had an official orientation to the tools and the safety procedures. This regulation includes students who are direct entries and students on exchange.
  2. No equipment or tools of any nature may be removed from any of the Workshop work areas without permission of the Technologist. 


CLEAN UP AND MAINTENANCE

 

  1. Every student is responsible for cleaning up after themselves. All benches and machines must be cleaned immediately after use. Waste scrap must be kept away from the machine area at all times. If you do not clean up your area you will lose your shop privileges. Mandatory clean up begins 20mins before the shop closes, no exceptions.
  2. Some materials are considered hazardous and must be disposed of in designated containers. It is your responsibility to be aware of the appropriate procedures. If you are unsure please consult a workshop technician.

 

PURCHASING OF MATERIALS

 

The School can save students considerable time and money by purchasing materials in bulk and selling them at cost. Students pay for these materials with their Toronto Met One Card. Please consult with the One Card Office for any refunds and/or problems with your Card. The School of Interior Design office and the Workshop will not accept cash. You can add more money to your OneCard in the Student Centre and online. The cost of materials are determined by the Technologist based on current market prices. No materials may be used or removed without prior payment unless this has been previously authorized.

 

The workshop has a wide array of material including various species of solid wood, MDF, plywood, foam, acrylic, plaster, and paper products. If there is a type of material you are looking for we can research the supplier and order it in for you.

 

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIERS

 

You may want to order items online yourself or pick up material from local suppliers on the weekends or when the shop is closed. Visiting suppliers is also a great way to see products up front, network, and make contacts. 


TOOL LOAN POLICY

 

  1. Hand tools will only be available on loan with the permission of the Workshop staff. A sign out sheet will be required to fill out before the tool leaves the shop. You must clearly identify the tool you are signing out and leave your contact info.
  2. Tool loans are for work on student projects for this program only (not for personal use) and are to be used only within the School’s premises (302 Church Street).
  3. The Workshop Technician will determine the date and time of return of the loaned items. Normally, all hand tools and other equipment must be returned the next day. Please ensure that you know when the tools are to be returned as you will be fined $10.00 per day, if you fail to return the tools at the date specified. Repeated lateness will result in the loss of your borrowing privileges as will the non-payment of the late tool fee.
  4. Upon signing out your tool(s), you will be responsible for damage, theft or loss, and you will be required to pay in full for repairs or replacement.

 

TOOLS AND MACHINERY

 

The Workshop is equipped with woodworking machinery that is available for student use. Students will have direct access to bandsaws, drill presses, and stationary sanders as well as a variety of hand and power tools. With assistance and additional training from the technician other equipment is available including:

 

  • Panel Saw
  • Mitresaw
  • Jointer
  • Planer
  • Lathe
  • Vacuum Former

 

For more detailed instructions on equipment use please see the 3D Studio and Materials Lab Google Drive.

DIGITAL FABRICATION

 

The Workshop has digital fabrication equipment onsite to help realize your projects, advanced models, and prototypes. We have a Computer Numerically Controlled 3 Axis Router (CNC) used for 2D and 3D cutting/shaping (See below section). Students can speak to workshop technicians regarding the planning, feasibility, and execution of their project using this machine. In parallel with advancing technologies, we are always looking to add, expand, and integrate new technologies and machines into the workshop.



MULTICAM 5000 SERIES

 

The lab has a 3 axis CNC router in the shop. It is a MultiCAM brand CNC router. Our CNC router can be used for cutting 2d part files and 3d surfacing. The CNC router has a 4’x8’ bed with a 12”gantry clearance (Z height). A 10” maximum Z axis height is the maximum cutting height of the router, but the Z height depends on other factors including tool length, surface, and tool clearance . The router is a 3-axis router, therefore it cannot make undercuts and bevel cuts.

Materials you can use are:

  • Plywood
  • Wood
  • Foam
  • Acrylic and polyethylene
  • Non-Ferrous metals such as aluminum (subject to shop approval)

CNC cutting is available at a cost of $20/hr subject to availability of machine. Please speak with the workshop technicians if you would like to book CNC cutting time.