Introduction
Located on the third floor of the Wilmeth Active Learning Center, the Knowledge Lab is a rapid prototyping space where the Purdue community can use a variety of materials, equipment, and software to experiment with the exploration and presentation of their ideas. Celebrating the Boilermaker spirit of imagination and innovation, the space offers low-stakes resources such as a vinyl cutter, sewing machines, Riso printer, a podcast booth, heat press, yarns, cardboard, fabrics, and more. It serves as a first stop in a pipeline of opportunities on campus to fully actualize an idea.
Hours and Location
WALC 3007
340 Centennial Mall Dr.
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Fall semester hours
Monday: 9:00 AM–8:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM–8:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM–8:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM–6:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Drop-ins welcome, no appointment necessary.
The Knowledge Lab will occasionally be closed for holidays and events. Please see Library Hours for the most up-to-date information.
Equipment and Tools Available to Borrow
Workshops and Events
What’s Available in the Lab:
Sawgrass Dye-Sublimation Printer
Dye-sublimation is a printing process that uses heat to transfer a design onto a material such as t-shirts, mugs, coasters, etc. This is a two-step process: step 1 is printing a design on a specialty transfer paper with the Sawgrass printer, step 2 is heat-transferring the printed design onto the material.
Only materials created for dye-sublimation can be used- 100% polyester fabric, dye-sublimation polyester coated ceramics or aluminum, etc.
We have 8.5x11in and 11x17in transfer paper available for free, the maximum monthly allotment is 10-15 sheets (depending on size).
SF5130 Risograph Printer
A Risograph printer looks like a photocopier but works like a screenprinter and is also referred to as a digital screenprinter. A riso works by translating information into a stencil that ink is pushed through to create a print. The printer is loaded with one color at a time so multi-color images and designs need to be printed as layers. The soy-based inks are semi-translucent so prints with multiple colors will blend together to create a broader range of colors.
We have eight colors available: Red, Florecent Pink, Yellow, Green, Seafoam Green, Blue, Federal Blue, and Black.
The riso printer works with uncoated paper only, the maximum print area is 8.25x14in. There is 8.5x11in paper in both text weight and cardstock available for free. If printing a project that requires more than 50 sheets, we ask that you provide your own paper.
The riso printer requires training before use, please check in with Knowledge Staff or contact us to set up a training appointment.
Roland VersaStudio BN-20A Sticker Vinyl Printer
Sticker Printing Guide and Reservation page
Sticker printing requires a sticker file submission and reservation approval prior to use (see guide for more details). Our material comes on 18in wide rolls, the maximum allotment for individuals and clubs/groups is 36 linear inches per month.
Cricut Maker 3 Cutting Machines
We have three Cricut Maker 3 machines, two machines connected to computers and one machine available to connect to a personal computer with usb. Cricut machines can cut designs into paper, vinyl, fabric, and other materials using the Cricut Design Space software.
There is cardstock, permanent vinyl, heat-transfer vinyl, and infusible ink available. The maximum allotment for vinyl and infusible ink is 12x24in a month.
Rapid Prototyping Materials
We have a wide range of supplies available for designing and creating, including cardboard, wooden dowels, construction paper, drawing supplies, rulers, glue and hot glue guns, scissors, and other craft supplies.
We also have breadboards, tools, circuit boards, cables, connectors, and other basic electronic supplies for Arduino and Raspberry Pi.
Podcast Booth
Podcast Booth Reservation Page
Our podcast booth is for audio and video recording only and requires a reservation (see link for more details).
Three RODE Procaster Microphones and three headphone sets.
RODECaster Pro Soundboard, microSD card and SD card adapter.
Three Sony a6400 4K cameras for video recording.
Two LED Lights.
Sewing Machines
We have 4-5 sewing machines available at any time including two Singer Heavy-Duty and two Brother ST531HD.
There is thread, fabric, fabric scissors and rotary cutters, irons and ironing boards, and other sewing notions available for use. We also have two adjustable dress forms and one size 14 dress form available.
Knitting, Crochet, and Embroidery Supplies
There are knitting needles (straight and circular), crochet hooks, embroidery hoops, and embroidery needles of various sizes available as well as a yarn swift and yarn ball winder.
There is a wide variety of various yarns and embroidery floss available as well.
Button Makers
There are 1in and 1.5in button makers with all supplies provided for free. The maximum allotment is 100 buttons a month for individuals and clubs/groups.
Heat Presses
Our heat presses can be used with any heat-transfer material including heat-transfer vinyl, dye-sublimation paper, and Cricut Infusible Ink.
Cricut 15inx12in Autopress for t-shirts and tote bags.
Cricut EasyPress 9x9in and press mat.
Cricut Mug Press for 11-16oz straight-walled mugs.
PYD Life Pro Max Tumbler Press for 20oz straight-walled tumblers.
Book Making and Other Presentation Materials
We have various tools, equipment, and supplies for zine making, booklets, and other paper presentation forms.
Fellows A3 Laminator with 9x12in and 11×17 lamination sheets.
GBC CombBind C110 with 3/8in and 1in plastic spines.
MakeEasy Binding Machine with 6mm and 12.5mm wire spines.
Regular and long-reach staplers.
Clear tape and double-sided tape.
Materials and supplies are free:
These supplies are provided for your convenience. While we attempt to provide a variety of materials for you, we do not guarantee that any material or color of material will be in stock at any given time. Free materials are for use in the Knowledge Lab with the equipment provided. If a project requires a larger amount of materials that exceeds our monthly allotments, Knowledge Lab staff can provide you with information on recommended materials and suppliers.
About Us
Sarah Huber
Associate Professor of Library Science
Director of the Knowledge Lab
What most excites me about the space is the ways in which students and faculty will experiment with what we consider knowledge and scholarship. If a student is assigned a presentation to deliver content, maybe typically they would create a PPT. This could be an effective way to deliver the content, but maybe after the student has tried our Riso printer or tested the podcast booth, they choose to tell a story through a booklet or an audio recording where they incorporate interviews, maybe even use stop-motion photography with cardboard designs they’ve made. The possibilities are endless. I am ready to be amazed by the creations and conversations the space will spark across campus.
Patricia Swanson
Knowledge Lab Manager MFA in Photography
Prior to joining the team at the Knowledge Lab, I was an adjunct professor teaching in the arts for eight years. What I love most about working with students and faculty is enabling them to explore hands-on and alternative forms of scholarship and creatively problem solve how to use different tools and materials to bring their ideas to life. As an artist and educator, I recognize the importance of needing a space where one feels free and safe to experiment, make mistakes, and push themselves to new heights.
Nathan Wilkinson
Graduate Assistant
MFA Studio Arts in Photography
As a Graduate Assistant for the Knowledge Lab, I offer artistic, conceptual, and technical support. I’m thrilled to be working in a creative space exploring the relationship between art/design and science, where experimentation and imagination can flourish. As a photographer and sculptor, I’m excited to help Boilermakers realize their creative projects, while thinking about how image and object convey meaning.
Accessibility
The Knowledge lab is committed to creating a space that is fully accessible to all. If you require accommodations or have difficulty in accessing any of the equipment, please contact knowledgelab@purdue.edu and we will assist.
Contact Info
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For any questions, consultations, or workshop inquiries, please email: knowledgelab@purdue.edu
Associate Professor of Library Science and The Director of the Knowledge Lab: Sarah Huber, 765.494.9993, huber47@purdue.edu
Knowledge Lab Manager, Patricia Swanson, paswanso@purdue.edu
If you are interested in collaborating on a class session in the Knowledge Lab, please contact Sarah Huber at huber47@purdue.edu.