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FAQs
Makerspace
The Makerspace and the Materials Shop are open toall ETH students (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD) for extracurricular projects only.
Life Science Lab
You can access the Life Science Lab if you're studying:
- a Bachelor's and have passed your first-year Basisprüfung
- a Master's
- a PhD
You'll also need a project idea that's not part of your regular curriculum and is biosafety level 1 compatible.
You can access support for your project if you're studying for the following ETH degrees:
- a Bachelor's and have passed your first-year Basisprüfung
- a Master's
- a PhD
ETH students are in your core team. That means ETH students are decision-makers and founding members in the case of an incorporation. They are key-drivers that contribute a significant amount of their time to the project.
The project is extra-curricular. There are no ECTS involved.
You (as ETH students) own the project. It’s your intellectual property and not driven by a professor or a company that is not yours.
You have individually passed 1st year bachelor’s successfully (if you are at ETH).
You aim for a bigger user group than your friends & family.
Your project is ethically acceptable (i.e. no weapons, tobacco).
Usually, the doors are open from 8:00 to 20:00. If you have 24/7 access you can enter at any time. Make sure to check our Opening Hours.
No. The Makerspace and co-working space are for non-curricular work only.
We can allocate resources more effectively if we know which rooms are used most. We also collect check-in statistics to help us plan and report on new offerings.
You can start a project as soon as you have passed your first year exams at ETH. Anyone can join your team and help turn your idea into reality. Just book a curiosity session to find an idea or an onboarding session and you are ready to go.
Yes! Many projects are looking for team members, check out the physical recruitment boards in our space. Your skill set may be just what they need. Do you like tinkering and helping people with their ideas? Become a Makerspace or Digital Makerspace Manager! Or just take a look at some of our tools and machines. Make something yourself.
Join an existing project or start your own! Find out more: sph.ethz.ch/follow-your-curiosity
Only the General Introduction enables you to use our Makerspace and registers you as a Makerspace user. You will get a general overview and learn about the rules and regulations necessary to be a Makerspace user, and you will be able to attend further Machine Introductions that you wish to learn.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide information of this sensitive nature. However, we would be happy to direct you to the appropriate contact channel. You can get in touch with us on our website, via the chatbot, on Slack or by email.
The Makerspace is open to all ETH students, whether studying for a Bachelor's, Master's or a PhD. The Makerspace and its
shop are for eligible students working on extracurricular projects only. Users must be over the age of 18 (with a valid ETH student card).
Post Docs, ETH staff, EPFL & UZH students and other external users without a ETH student card are not allowed to use the Makerspace.
You need to be an ETH student, have your student ID with you and have completed the General Introduction. Depending on the machine, you need to book an Introduction or ask for one during the Support Hours of the Makerspace.
For each machine we have in the Makerspace an introduction is required. Visit the Makerspace section of the website to see more details about how to sign up for the introductions. Tools, instead, do not need an introduction to be used, but if you need help with them please come along during Makerspace Support Hours and ask a Makerspace Instructor for support.
User Declaration – The general rules and procedures of the Makerspace.
General Introduction to the Makerspace. Find out how to start in the Makerspace.
Check the Makerspace Opening Hours on our website.
This varies. The Makerspace is closed during Christmas and some other public holidays.
During the semester break, our opening hours are reduced to approx. once a week. We try to schedule them in the first week of the semester break.
Please check the website for updated opening days and hours.
Some machines require a sign up based introduction (eg. 3D printers, laser cutters). Other machines have spontaneous introductions you can ask a Makerspace Instructor for during Support Hours.
To see which machines require which introduction and to register yourself to them, you can refer to the “Tools and Machines availability” page of our website.
Yes, all introductions are valid for both locations.
You can find a list of our material here: Materials.
Otherwise just come by the Makerspace to get more information about what materials we have in stock for you to use.
All stocked materials are listed in the Materials Shop. However, feel free to explore our wood reuse box in the Wood Studio and the Digital Fabrication Studio. Additionally, visit the Reusable Electronics Corner, where you can find and return items that are no longer needed or no longer in use, rather than letting them collect dust on a shelf.
The Makerspace team do their best to have materials in stock, however demand is sometimes unpredictable as are delivery times and suppliers due to our price and quality requirements. Please don't hesitate to contact the Makerspace if you would like to specifically find out about particular items and materials.
All resources available in the Open Studio area are accessible when the building is open (8:00 to 20:00). Access to items and machines in the closed rooms is restricted to the designated Support Hours (see website for times).
No, machine reservations are not accepted. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The use of personal filament on our printers is not permitted. This restriction is in place to ensure proper maintenance of the equipment. Only the filament provided by the Makerspace may be used.
No, only materials provided by the Makerspace can be used on the laser cutters. This policy is in place to maintain the functionality and safety standards of the equipment. If you wish to cut personal material, you can do so with the assistance of an expert for a fee of CHF 40.– (credits per hour). Booking for personal material cutting is available via our chatbot on the bottom left of our website.
The Waterjet Cutter is not available in its current location due to technical problems. We will schedule the next introductions when the Metal Workshop opens.
Please check the Machine Introduction section of the website for updates on upcoming tutorials for the Embroidery Machine.
Please check the Workshop section above for updates on upcoming workshops.
No, tools are not allowed to leave the Makerspace premises.
Our buildings are open Monday to Friday and occasionally on Saturdays when there are Makerspace Support Hours. You can collect your print at any time when you are in the building.
Check the building opening hours.
Use the large screen terminals to check why you cannot access the Makerspace system. If you have a negative balance on your Makerspace account, you will need to pay before you can use anything again. Please ask a Makerspace Instructor or the Welcome Desk for assistance.
With regard to our pricing, take a look at the estimated filament usage of which the Prusa Slicer provides an estimation. As this is an approximate figure, it is recommended that you add a little more than the amount shown.
The amount has been deducted from your Makerspace account (LEGI / Student ID). If you didn't have any money on it, you'll need to top it up at one of our locations before you can use any part of the Makerspace again. A negative balance will prevent you from using any of our machines.