September 2018 Laser meeting minutes (including rules change)

Laser
#1

Team Laser has made a rule change. It needs wordsmithing, but you will get the gist. Our four lasers are shared tools. We’re making them more shareable. Which, while good news year-round, is even better news going into the holiday season. (Can hear @John_Marlow and Team Expansion say “why is anyone waiting to make gifts? Make 'em now!”)

Attendees (14): Stephenie Webb, Josh Wims @JoshW, Brady Pamplin @bpamplin, Alison Maskus @skwurl, Andrew Kongs @sixvolts, Paul Barjon @BOIS2OUAGA, David Summers @pinewoodnut, Bruce Mihura @bmihura, @Scott_Blevins, John Gorman @talkers, @Shaun_Dixon, Tommy Thomas @tomthm, Alex Gallo, Graham Bateman @grahamb.

  1. Motion to approve expansion layout presented by Stephenie. Passed unanimously.

  2. Motion to remove the play-through rule under “Honor the Queue”, in light of the 3-hour session rule. Passed unanimously.

  3. Motion to add a 3-hour rule to improve sharing of the lasers. Passed unanimously. Here’s the intent. Better wordsmithing to follow.

    • Definition of Session Time (when member has use of workstation, whether laser is operating or not and whether user is logged into computer or not) vs Runtime (laser operating time).
    • Definition of Item (single piece that can be lifted out of laser without ruining it) vs Layout (multiple discrete items in one material).
    • Transparency: A sign will be at each laser. Members must write their name and arrival time on it.
    • After 3-hours AND when the laser work can be moved without ruining an Item AND if people are waiting in the queue for the laser, then Operator vacates the workstation and may go to the end of the queue. If no one is waiting for the laser, Operator may continue to use the workstation until a queue for the laser forms. At that point, the Operator will finish the current Item, vacate the laser, and may go to the end of the queue.
    • Layouts with multiple items: Members should plan Layouts and order of cuts/rasters to allow for vacating a workstation after 3 hours after an Item is complete even if all Items within the layout are not completed. Consider using the lasers during off-peak hours to avoid being interrupted by a queue.
    • Single Items taking longer than 3 hours (aka "The 7-Hour Middle Earth Map rule): You get to keep using the laser until your Item is done because moving it from the bed would ruin it. That said, performing the job during off-peak hours would be considerate to others. See the famous Middle Earth Map at https://talk.dallasmakerspace.org/t/dallas-makerspace-show-and-tell-november-2016/13883/62
    • Off-peak hours are from 10p-10a.
    • Member in the queue must speak to the members operating the lasers and let them know a queue has formed. Otherwise, the operators may not realize a queue has formed.

  4. RFID session monitor project: Josh Wims, Brady Pamplin, Andrew Kongs, and Clay Romeiser (@motopilot was volun-told) will be working together to install an RFID lockout that tracks and displays total session time. Session time (time that user has exclusive use of the workstation) is not the same as runtime (laser operating time). Purpose is to replace the sign-in boards at each workstation.

  5. Candidates for chair solicited. Andrew Kongs is running for Chair and Josh Wims offered to serve as Vice Chair, if Andrew wins.

10 Likes
MEMBER MTG + Potluck, Fri, Sept 14, 2018 @ 7pm
#2

Both Andrew and Josh have been active, involved, and invested members of the Laser Committee (Team Laser) all throughout this year. They’ve been present at multiple Committee meetings and they have contributed during these meetings for the betterment of the Laser users at DMS.

They’ve gotten their hands dirty too, helping maintain our lasers this year, and in so doing, keeping the lasers operational and available for all of us. As such, they have my full endorsement for Chair and Vice-Chair in this upcoming election.

3 Likes