Frequently Asked Questions
The IDEA Lab is a digital scholarship hub where UIUC-affiliated members who hold current I-Cards, including students, faculty, academic professionals, and staff, can reserve spaces and borrow loanable technology. Below are some of the IDEA Lab’s frequently asked questions.
- Do I need to bring anything to use the IDEA Lab?
You will need your i-Card. If the reservation is under your name, you must be physically present and provide your i-Card to IDEA Lab staff to check in or pick up items. - What can we do in the IDEA Lab?
The IDEA Lab provides collaborative workspaces, technology-rich equipment for designing, coding, gaming, loanable technology, and print and consultation requests for 3D printing and prototyping services. Please do not bring any food into the IDEA Lab. Thank you for keeping our spaces clean and our technology safe! - How do I make a reservation?
Visit the IDEA Lab Spaces page for an overview of spaces available and reservation details. - Can I use the equipment in the IDEA Lab 3D Printing Studio?
For safety reasons, only trained IDEA Lab staff can operate the equipment. - What is the process for 3D printing at the IDEA Lab?
Our workflow is organized so that patrons are the designers, and staff are the implementers. Visit the IDEA Lab 3D Printing Studio page for details. - When should I expect my print to be ready?
Due to the nature of 3D printing, we cannot give firm completion times at the start of the printing process. Times will be based on the print job’s complexity, the size of the individual files, and printer and staff availability.
Didn’t answer your question? Please contact idealab@library.illinois.edu.