Rules

Membership Guidelines

Eligibility

HeatSync membership is open to the public, but use of certain equipment and key/security code may require further training, certification or approvals. We do not discriminate based on age, gender, sexual preference, race, religion, or geek factor. Denied applications may be appealed.

Membership Tiers

• Associate Membership is $25 per month, and confers only the right to have your name on the list of members, access to the lab and shared equipment during the published hours of operation, and discounts with local manufacturers and suppliers. Other membership rights listed herein, such as board election voting rights, do not apply.

• Basic Membership is $50 per month, and confers the benefits of Associate Membership, plus personal project space for a banker box (first box provided by HeatSync Labs), the ability to direct HeatSync Labs with your vote in board elections, and IF the community votes to grant you the privilege, 24/7 access to the lab including a key to the building and security code.

• Plus Membership is $100 per month, and you get all the benefits of a basic membership, except a locker in the lab instead of a bankers box. It includes all the membership rights listed herein unless otherwise specified.

• Sponsorships are simply monthly recurring donations which confer no rights.

Membership Fees

If you sign up for membership via PayPal or Dwolla, your recurring monthly dues will be subtracted from your account the same date you enrolled. If you chpose Cash/Check -- you can either mail your dues (HeatSync Labs PO Box 24143 Tempe, AZ 85284) or deliver it to Jose Diaz (jose @ heatsynclabs.org) at HeatSync. Please note recurring payments are -highly- encouraged-- remember we do not have staff. If cash/check are important please consider using your bank's automatic bill-pay feature, or prepaying for 3,6 or 12 months up front.

Membership Privileges and Responsibilities

The Member will have an equal right to voice their opinion with a single vote. The Member can vote their preference or abstain from voting in the affairs of HeatSync Labs The Member will have reasonable inspection rights of HeatSync Labs, corporate records. The Member will be responsible for timely payment of dues, providing their current address, contact information, and preference for electronic receipt of communications. The Member is responsible for continuing to support the purposes of HeatSync Labs and adhere to all rules set by the HeatSync Labs Board pertaining to the organization's facilities. The Member in good standing as defined in Section 5 of the HeatSync Labs ByLaws has the following privileges:

• may vote in organization elections;
• have business hour access to HeatSync Labs space and access to HeatSync Labs equipment; (tbd)
• ability to self-nominate for member elections;
• may serve on the board of the organization;
• may vouch for guests, taking responsibility for the property of the organization's upon themselves;
• may request keyed access to the HeatSync Labs facility;
• retain control over own intellectual property rights; and
• may lend, donate or store property brought to the HeatSync Labs space.

In addition, we expect that all members will abide by the bylaws voted and in place for the organization which includes manners in which to conduct yourself while in the space. Please be sure to read and understand them prior to applying.

Consumables such as stock, drill/mill bits, adhesives,etc are NOT a right of membership. Many consumables are available in the shop but are expected to be refilled by members, or not be available. Spare stock from projects may be stored in the space and is encouraged to be used--and refilled.

Good Standing

A member shall be considered in good standing if they are current on their dues.

Non-transferability of Memberships

Member may not transfer their membership or any right arising therefrom. All rights of membership cease upon the member's death.

Termination of Membership

The membership of a member shall terminate upon the following events:

• Upon the Members notice of termination delivered to the president or secretary of the corporation personally or by mail, email, or other written communication, such membership to terminate upon the date of delivery of the notice or date of postmark if deposited in the US mail.
• The Board of Directors may terminate the membership of a member at a Board Meeting with cause by consensus vote.
• Notice shall be given by any method reasonably calculated to provide actual notice to the member. The member shall be given an opportunity to be heard, either orally or in writing, within 7 business days of the effective date of the termination. The hearing shall be held, or the written statement considered, by the Board of Directors.
• All rights of a member in the corporation shall cease on termination of membership as herein provided. All access cards and keys must be returned to HeatSync Labs.

General Space Safety Rules

Proceeding into shop areas constitutes agreement with these and other posted guidelines.

Certification: Any class taught by an experienced person, that is hands-on, and that teaches the rules in the wiki as well as an emphasis on safety, should be good enough for the Board.

Types of rules to consider implementing: - Preventing injury to the operator and bystanders - Preventing damage to the tool or facility - Keeping the tool clean and ready-to-use for the next person

General

• Clean up after yourself after using any public space or machine, including cleaning tables, machines and floor area around it and returning any items to their proper location.
• Do not use a machine if you have not been shown how to operate it safely by the teacher.
• All accidents and safety violations are to be reported to any Officer as soon as possible, within 24 hours at the latest.
• Only use correct tools for your work.
• When carrying tools, sharp edges should be pointed downwards.
• Be patient and do not rush.
• Avoid distractions.
• Don’t work on anything when you are angry or upset.
• Only use tools you’ve been trained and/or approved to work with/on. Ask!
• Familiarize yourself with the location and contents of the first aid station and report any usage or outage of first aid materials.

Workshop

• Avoid working alone in the workshop whenever possible.
• Avoid creating a cluttered work area while working, especially if others are working in the workshop at the same time.
• Be aware when working with long items such as 2x4s as to not hit equipment or people
• When multiple tools are in being utilized on a single workbench, only one tool should be in operation at a time.
• Only one splitter or surge protector per outlet. Do not “daisy chain” them or overload the outlet.

Equipment

• Perform a visual inspection of the tool before using it looking for things like possible damage, missing or loose parts, or the previous user's materials
• Do not use an equipment if it is marked as damaged or appears to be damaged
• Damaged Equipment is to be reported to an officer as soon as possible
• Keep flammable and combustible items away from spark producing activities. Before using a grinder, look to see what is stored around that might respond to a spark. The same with welding or cutting.
• Know where the emergency button is on all tools
• Use of Equipment while intoxicated is grounds for immediate expulsion of the member.
• Misuse of any equipment is to be reported to an Officer as soon as possible

Clothing

• Avoid clothing that is excessively baggy, especially when using saws or drills
• Closed toes shoes are required
• Safety goggles or a face shield must be worn when using any equipment that expels debris (saws, routers, etc...)
• Remove any dangling jewelry such as neck chains or bracelets.
• Roll up sleeves.
• Tie back long hair

Equipment Use Guidelines

General Hand Tools

• Use these tools only for their intended purposes.

Woodworking/Saws

• Tool is in a safe position (won't tip/fall,
• Cut away from you, think "where are my hands and fingers going to end up?"
• Check the people around you, and any electric cords or unsafe things that may be in the way
  • Alert them before you begin (glasses, dust, noise)
• Adjust saw when it's unplugged

• Remember actual lumber size (1x4 isn't actually 1"x4")
• Measuring & planning, taking into account geometry of joins and size of material

Laser Cutter

• HeatSync Training required for use

See Laser Cutter

Metalworking Tools

• HeatSync Training required for use. If you're a pro, you still need to be checked out by an instructor.
• To clean, gently vacuum and/or brush the chips away from the ways to prevent damage.
• Always wear eye protection and closed-toe shoes.
  • Preferably industrial quality safety glasses with side-shields. Tools can throw off sharp, hot metal chips at considerable speed as well as spin off spirals of metal that can be quite hazardous. Don't take chances.
• Wear short sleeve shirts, tie back long hair, and remove rings, wrist watches, necklaces, chains and other jewelry.
  • Sleeves, hair and jewelry can catch on rotating work and cause severe injury or death.
• Always double check work areas before starting.
  • Make sure your work is securely clamped. Start the tool at low speed and increase the speed gradually. Do not trust that the machine has been set up in a sane way; what if someone removed the spindle and didn't reattach it securely?
• Get in the habit of removing the chuck key immediately after use.
  • Some users recommend never removing your hand from the chuck key when it is in the chuck. The chuck key can be a lethal projectile if the lathe is started with the chuck key in the chuck.
• Keep your fingers clear of the rotating work and cutting tools.
  • This sounds obvious, but people are often tempted to break away metal spirals as they form at the cutting tool.
• Don't trust anyone, check the tool, setup, sizes, etc yourself especially before starting or when coming back.

Lathe

• Get in the habit of checking that there is nothing on the spindle that will fly out once turned on; chuck keys, loose parts, etc.
• Check that autofeed is not engaged, and keep the tool post away from the spinning chuck.
• Avoid reaching over the spinning chuck.
  • For filing operations, hold the file such that you are not reaching over the chuck and risking something being caught in it. Your body should not be in front of the file itself in case the file snags and is thrown toward you.
• Never use a file with a bare tang.
  • The tang could be forced back into your wrist or palm. Inexpensive wooden handles are readily available for common file sizes.

Mill

• Don't over-tighten collet / draw bar.
  • There's a point where it's firm and not gripping the endmill getting any tighter, that's good enough.
• Pay attention to center cutting vs non-center cutting endmills for plunge work
• Use two flute endmills for aluminum, four flute for steel
• Keep chips off the clamping surface, wipe them with your finger before clamping.
• Lock the Z axis so it can't move any lower than necessary to avoid accidents
• Adjust speed and feeds according to tool diameter and material
• Take off under 0.0025" per pass. If cutting a slot, start with a moderate depth and work up.
• Remember to account for backlash
• You want consistent, ~1/4" long, stringy, straw-colored chips. Metal powder means you're not moving fast enough, blue color usually means you're moving too fast.
• Sound is important. Aim for a pleasant bassy, white-noise "bore" sound, not a high-pitched "chatter" or "whine." If you start cutting and it buzzes or smokes (without lubricant), stop and double-check yourself.
• Use both hands on the wheel to get a better feel for the machine and improve steadiness.
• Milling steel takes about 1/3rd the spindle speed of aluminum for the same mill and feedrate.

CNC Mill

• HeatSync Training required for use
• Mill rules apply to CNC Mill
• Do not leave the mill unattended. Stay within reach of the emergency stop button at all times while running.
• Preview all milling jobs before running on the machine.
• DO NOT hand-edit your G-code programs.
• TODO: Add more safety & maintenance rules

Welder

• HeatSync Training required for use
• Welding emits dangerous levels of visible and invisible wavelength light, use of TIG-approved goggles/helmet and only TIG-approved goggles/helmet is necessary when TIG welding
  • Acetylene goggles are dangerous to use on TIG welders
• Wear Flame retardant gloves, apron and if necessary hang flame retardant curtain to protect yourself and the workshop

3D Printing

• For standard setup (ABS plastic, and the DC motor) set motor speed and PWM to 255 and extruder target temperature to 225 and bed temperature to 110.
• Run the extruder heater for as long as it takes for the heated bed to reach temperature in order to clear the nozzle and obtain proper flow
• Be careful to be aware of your ‘zero’ location, both in the digital file and in the software, so as not to crash the x stage into the nozzle or any of the limits
• Do NOT leave machine unattended

Soldering

• Clean your tips by using tip tinner, and brief and rare applications of the damp sponge or the brass cleaning wool
• Before finishing, tin the tip fully to prevent oxidation when not in use
• Never leave iron on and not in use for long periods of time
• Keep hot surfaces away from burnable, meltable, or injurable areas.
• When using hot air reflow, avoid extended low speed airflow and high temperature, as the unit can overheat.
• Utilize the air filter, if available, on your iron to protect you from solder/flux fumes or only solder in well ventilated rooms

Bandsaw

• Do not run the blade too fast for the material
  • Highest speed is only suitable for aluminum (with coolant) or wood
  • Avoiding hardened materials. Unknown steel alloys should be tested with a file. Avoid cutting ends that have been discolored (hardened) by heat.
• There is no danger in going too slow, so when unsure, go with the slowest speed.
• Use the appropriate type of blade (wood, metal)
  • Coarser blades are better for harder wood.
• Bandsaw blade longevity tip Blades should always have AT LEAST three teeth engaged in the cut, actively cutting. So, for example, if the blade on the saw is 14tpi, then 3/14 = 0.214" thick material minimum. When possible, you should cut multiple pieces stacked together to try to achieve the minimum thickness for the blade, even backing-up the cut with sacrificial material works.
  • If you decide to proceed with too-thin material anyway, care must be taken to feed the material into the blade slowly and gently, if it's fed aggressively, one tooth will try to take a full 3/4hp cut and will probably just shear off from the blade itself, especially with the cheap-blade that ships with the saw.
• When in the upright vertical position be sure to lock the hydrolic feed control in the lock out position(picture?)
• When bringing up in the upright vertical position be aware of the pinch hazard of the position locking mechanism. Move it into place slowly and safely using the c-clamp attached. (picture?)
• When cutting material make sure that the blade guard bearing is as close to the cut as possible. You will need to adjust these when cutting material at an angle.(pictures)
• Always keep the vertical tray on the machine.(picture)
• Always let the blade do the cutting. Never force it or apply pressure on the chasis to force the cut.
• When cutting in the horizontal position the maximum height for round material is 7" and rectangular is 7" x 12".
• To adjust the vice you'll need a 5/8th and 3/4th inch wrench.

Bench Grinder

• Keep away from electronics due to conductive dust
• Wheels can shatter simply by being bumped
• DO NOT STAND in front of it when turning on and turning off, as a shattering wheel can and will kill you.
  • You must clean up dust AND/OR you must not grind aluminum
    • Aluminum dust can ignite and cause extreme injury

Angle Grinder

• Ear Protection is advised
  • You must clean up dust AND/OR you must not grind aluminum
    • Aluminum dust can ignite and cause extreme injury

Pallet Jack

• Certified Weights (we have a 1ton?)
• No standing, riding

Lift Table

• Certified Weights (we have a 1ton?)
• No standing, riding

Dremel

• Eye protection must be observed

Oscilloscope

• Don’t connect to high voltage sources(define high)
• Be careful with oscilloscope probes as they are sensitive devices!

Hand Drill & Drill Press

• Adjust pulleys to the appropriate speed based on diameter and hardness of material
• If drill bits are bad, put them in the Broken Tools bin.
• If you break a bit, stop and reevaluate what you're doing wrong.
• Don't use precision bits for rough work.
• Don't use TiN (yellow) bits for Aluminum

Consumables

• Consumables are not a part of membership. However, spare stock from projects may be stored in the space and is encouraged to be used--and refilled.
• Expensive consumable usage may be tracked (RFID?)
• Expenses that go above a certain amount may be charged back to the member in order to finance replacement consumables.