This is a stretch but possible even have a button by the laser and when it is pressed it just marks it being used
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Request for @Bill
Allow a “down for maintenance” that would “pause” the queue but not clear it. I sometimes find myself having to jump the line to do a quick fix for people and this would be nice to have so the line can continue after repairs.
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Scanning your RFID badge, like you do at the doors or at the badge check stations the lobby.
For what this is worth, this is the software used by TXDOT/DMV, I do believe.
https://www.qless.com
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Wow! Awesome ideas! I look forward to seeing it implemented.
Is there any way to integrate the queue system with the computer logins?
(1) Could “the system” to record you as being in the queue if you log in and there wasn’t anybody waiting? That way once the outside view of the queue is visible it would show that someone is actually using a laser.
(2) If you log onto a machine but there is someone in the queue ahead of you, would some type of a notice come up on the computer telling you that you aren’t next?
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Is there or should there be a maximum time that one person ca use a laser without yielding it to another person?
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No.
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No, but there’s some unwritten etiquette:
(1) Do not tie up the laser by doing design work at those computers.
(2) Do not let your friends piggyback onto your spot in the queue. They need to get their own place in the queue.
(3) If you have a long job with multiple segments, let a short job (or two) work in with you.
(4) If you have a really long job, try not to do it during “prime time”.
(5) If you’re a serious laser hog, then at some point peer pressure, the jeers of the crowd, and the pitchforks will regulate your usage.
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Add an option “Is any part of the work for profit?” We’ll be able to get a feel for how production jobs are impacting the queue, instead of just speculating.
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Do the check, but don’t prevent adding to the queue if it fails. There are a number of members where the teacher failed to properly register the class in AD. Perhaps flash up some verbiage about needing to check with their teacher to get added to AD.
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The rotary will work on all three of the Thunder lasers, but there is currently only one rotary. Please have that as an option, if possible.
…and if it fails log it. Log it good. That’s why we have databases. 
(Seriously. Such things should be dumped to a database.)
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“Profit” may be too strict, if you want to track jobs the user is selling.
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I’m open to wording suggestions. Got an idea?
the subject of commercial work is covered in the DMS rules Section 9:
Commercial Use
-The Dallas Makerspace is based on open source ideals and thus encourages its membership to embrace those ideals as well, however members reserve the rights to all of their creations.
-DMS may invoice members for incurring costs to DMS significantly in excess of their monthly dues. Determination of excess to be submitted by Committee Chairs and the member billed by resolution of the Board.
As HAAS supervisor, the question comes up on this also. As a committee we voted early on that it was ok (within reason). We have several members who are working on their own ‘for profit’ projects and up to now has not been a problem. Most bring their own specialty bits and have not been time hogs or work non-prime time hours. NOW, HAVING SAID THAT - these are mostly one-offs and I say take all the time you need. BUT, If someone were to be doing commercial work for their employer on our machines - then they are taking advantage of us as a ‘tool rental’ place. Oh no, we’re not. that will likely get invoiced at a rate (think expensive) on par with commercial prices.
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“we don’t govern what you do with the stuff you are laser cutting. Please make sure you pay for your cut time”
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Commercial Use rather than Profit.
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This is a thoughtful discussion re: commercial vs for personal profit vs hobby/personal use. A discussion that should have it’s own thread - at a later time, should data or widespread user experience indicate.
I am responding to the topic at hand: features to add to the Laser RFID queue.
I get regular negative feedback from users re: the wait times. My response is invariably “problem will reduce when new lasers arrive”. But in my head I wonder if more lasers = more laser users (some with large production jobs) = same wait issue on a different scale. @Bill’s work is offering a opportunity to quantify the issue, as opposed to relying on anecdotal stories. That is, taking the emotion out of it. Maybe it will turn out to be nothing. So much better to be able to show a disgruntled user that information rather than have a pointless argument.
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What stops a commercial producer from choosing the option of personal project? If we have members willing to steal our tools I have to imagine they’d have no issue lying about laser usage reasons.
Agreed. If later it turns out we have dishonest users, that is another issue at another time. Need to attempt data collection first.
EDIT: The Space and Laser do not treat for-profit production jobs as stealing tools. These are permitted. However, they are not without controversy - a controversy above my paygrade… Am only trying to gauge impact to wait times.
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nice. if that only took 7 hours i’d say it did pretty good.
everyone should keep in mind that when you double the surface area to raster it quadruples the engraving time. I run into that everyday when people ask why going from a 1" stamp to 3" stamp more than doubled the price. (uh, 'cause it now takes 9 times as long). cheers!
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