As we are setting up a new lab this was an ideal opportunity to check new equipment, however the university is not keen on my using software other than prescribed and as a university has a fairly tight firewall consequently I did not feel comfortable running the linux software.
I have a net book (which my department supplied for me)on which I run the linux software from home - I have control over firewalls etc and through time I will download the fab modules and try these as a means of controlling the machines we have.
This means that my attempts as the exercises set have been through the supplied software that have come with the machines, where possible I will try to use graphics software to drive these through printer drivers - this will allow the best flexibility within the lab.
For the cutting exercise I will be using a new Roland GX24 vinyl cutter and a Roland MDX 20 and for laser cutting (we have not stretched to this machine yet) I will use the one in the Maklab with whatever software they use.
It is my intention that once the system of functioning then I will start to experiment with the fab modules for control and to be able to promote the use of open source software for drawing.
My efforts over the past two weeks has been on getting these machines to function for me hence my attempts at the exercises has not been the most innovative.
