Makerspace

From 3D printing, audio recording, and laser cutting, to sewing, weaving and more, we offer endless opportunities for everyone to get inspired and create. If you have any questions please feel free to email us at thehive@wcc.govt.nz. Alternatively, come visit us — we'd love to see you!

• 3D printing
• 3D scanning
• Laser cutting
• Cricut Machine
• Fibre Crafts - Sewing, Embroidery
• Audio recording studio - for bookings email thehive@wcc.govt.nz

We have four 3D Printers in the HIVE. The slicers we use are UP Studio and Prusa Slic3r.

We use grey/white PLA plastic filament (supplier dependant) in all four, which is biodegradable, non-toxic and makes for a good surface for painting onto. 3D Printing is charged per gram of filament and an approximate amount is calculated when we prepare the files for printing.

We use Tinkercad for our 3D Design needs. It is a free and very basic online design program, but it is capable of designing some really cool and intricate designs. The windows app 3D Builder is also very easy and free. For more intricate designs there is:

• Onshape
• Fusion360

For free models that you can download and print we recommend:

• Thingiverse
• Printables

We only accept .stl files.

Specifications

If you have a part, or object, that you need replicated, our Einscan SP is the perfect machine for the job. It can take high resolution 360° scans then turn them into a 3D file that can be printed off in our 3D Printers (standard 3D Print charges apply).

For transparent, reflective, or dark/black objects we need to use Aesub Blue scanning spray to allow the scanner to see the object. This spray evaporates off the object after ~90 minutes. If you want to keep the resulting 3D model please bring a USB Drive with you (the files can be quite large)

Specifications

Our laser cutter can cut and etch/engrave on a variety of materials. We have successfully cut materials such as Acrylic, paper, card, balsa, denim, cotton, leather and felt. We sell 3mm Birch faced Poplar plywood for $8.50 a sheet (590mm x 390mm). Please ask HIVE staff if you wish to bring in your own materials, as we need to make sure it does not contain anything hazardous.

For laser cutting, layout and basic design, we use a piece of software called Lightburn. For other designs we recommend Inkscape, you can also use Adobe illustrator if you have a subscription. File types we accept are .svg, and .ai.

Specifications

A machine of many talents, our Cricut Maker is a go-to for any crafty projects. It can cut, score, emboss, and draw on a variety of materials. You can download the Cricut Design Space and do all of your designing from home, then log into your account on our computer and get straight to making. No need to bring in a USB or email us your files! Our Cricut is first-in-first served and free of charge. We don't stock any materials, so make sure to bring them from home or buy them from your local craft store. Take a look on Cricut's website for more information and inspiration!

Sewing

Have something you have always wanted to sew, or create, but don't have access to a sewing machine? Use ours! We have 2 sewing machines and an overlocker that you can use free of charge. Our machines are first-in-first served, so no need to book an appointment either. We have a small selection of threads for the sewing machines and black and white overlocker thread, so bring your fabric and get sewing! We also provide equipment for knitting, crocheting, and hand embroidery if you're looking to try out a new craft.

Click the links below for more info:

• Sewing Machines: Bernina 1008
• Overlocker: Bernina L 450
• Loom: Ashford sampleit 40cm

Embroidery Machine

We are currently in the process of getting our Embroidery Machine service up and running.

Are you an adventurous sewist and/or crafter who can help us stress-test our Singer EM9305 by making some cool stuff? We want you! We're still getting to know the machine, so expect a journey full of trial and error. As such, while we're in this trial period, machine use is free and you're welcome to dive into our collection of threads and stabilisers free of charge too. Pop in or flick us an email to book an introductory session with a staff member.

Here at Tūhura HIVE, we have contructed a studio for you to come in and record and edit your musical and video creations. We used the philosophy of 'Your best home setup', so everything you do in the studio you can conceivably do at home. This is something very new for us, and everytime the studio is used we are learning along with you. The studio is free for the first two hours of usage, then is $19p/hr after that. We have listed some of our gear below. Bookings are essential; to book please email us your name, and preferred date and time to: thehive@wcc.govt.nz

Studio Gear

• Software: Logic Pro X, Garage Band, Da Vinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro
• Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 Gen3
• Microphones: Rode NT-1a, Shure SM57, Shure SM58, AKG P170
• Audio Monitors: Mackie CR4BT 4" Multimedia Monitors
• Synthesizer: Moog Subsequent 25 & Synthstrom Deluge
• Electric Piano: Korg C1 Air
• Electric Drums: Alesis Nitro Mesh 8-Piece kit
• Electric Guitar: Squier Bullet Mustang
• Guitar amp: Marshall CODE50
• Bass Guitar: Jackson JS3VQ Concert - 5 String Bass