Innovation Centers
3D Printing, Design, Fabrication & More
Let's make something!
The Innovation Centers at Cuyahoga County Public Library are creative, collaborative and educational spaces that provide access to advanced software, emerging technologies and production equipment. There is no charge to use the equipment in the Innovation Centers, however users are responsible for the costs of consumable materials (e.g., 3D printing filament, vinyl material). Limited supplies of consumable materials are available for purchase. We encourage innovators to bring their own pre-approved materials for their projects.
Before you can use our Innovation Centers, you must complete a required orientation class that will acquaint you with our procedures, equipment and software (view the orientation class schedule). After you have completed your orientation class, please print and fill out these forms. The completed forms must be returned to the branch where you attended orientation.
Oriented users are required to attend a basics class before using the following equipment: CNC router, embroidery machine and laser cutter/engraver.
Oriented users are required to attend a basics class before using the following equipment: CNC router, embroidery machine and laser cutter/engraver.
PLEASE NOTE:
All Innovation Centers close 15 minutes before the branch closes Click here
for our daily hours of operation.
Submit Your 3D Design
Have you designed something in our Innovation Centers that you would like us to print? Maybe a unique gift for your business clients, a spare part for a home appliance or a prototype for a new product? We can help turn it into a beautiful 3D object for you. Simply complete and submit our 3D Print Request Form and we’ll take it from there. (Please note: you will need to submit this form for each 3D printing request).
Innovation Center Equipment
Submit 3D-designed .STL files via the library’s website and staff will print designs for users to pick up.
- Designs must be submitted as an STL file via the online form at cuyahgogalibrary.org/innovate.
- Filament is a vegetable-based PLA filament. See materials for purchase list for cost and colors.
Cut letters, shapes and symbols out of paper/card stock using wooden dies.
Available at Parma-Snow Branch.Cut, engrave and carve on wood and acrylic materials.
- Drill and Bits are required to operate this machine. Users must check these items out at the Information Desk.
- Cutting size: 18” x 24” x 3.5”
- Users are encouraged to bring their own materials. Plywood is available for purchase.
* Orientated users are required to attend an CNC Basics Class prior to individual use on this machine. See event calendar for dates.
Available at Parma-Snow Branch.Use the equipment to learn basic coding and programming skills. Available equipment includes: Raspberry Pi Computer, Arduino Uno, DIY Developer Kit, Littlebits, Snap Circuits, and LEGO EV3 robot kit.
Available at Mayfield Branch.Creates professional finishes for all your garments, for active knitwear and even home décor projects.
Cut, score and write on a variety of materials.
- Cutting size is 12” x 12” and up to 12” x 24”. See a staff member for a complete list of approved materials.
- A crafting tool kit is available for check out to use in the Innovation Center.
Emboss paper and card stock.
Available at Parma-Snow Branch.Print directly onto cotton T-shirts, apparel, tote bags and other products
Stitch designs with up to 10 colors without changing thread.
- Create your own embroidery designs using Floriani embroidery software.
- Four hoop sizes available. Hat hoop available. Hoops and Embroidery tool kit must be checked out to use the embroidery machine.
- See materials list for cost of embroidery thread. Color selection varies by location.
* Orientated users are required to attend an Embroidery Basics Class prior to individual use on this machine. See event calendar for dates.
Available at Garfield Heights Branch, Bay Village Branch.Apply heat transfers to items such as T-shirts, jackets, bags and mouse pads.
- Heat press plate size: 16” x 20”
Print, scan, copy in B/W and color on sizes up to 11” x 17”.
- Inkjet printers allows users to print on media such as photo paper, sticker paper, heat transfer paper, and printable vinyl. Users are encouraged to bring their own material to print on.
Print documents 24” across and any size in length on heavy-duty paper from .PDF and .JPEG files.
Available at Parma-Snow Branch, Mayfield Branch.Perform high-quality engraving and cutting of wood, acrylics, and more on a variety of approved materials.
- See a staff member for a complete list of approved materials.
- Plywood is available for purchase.
* Orientated users are required to attend a Laser Basics Class prior to individual use on this machine. See event calendar for dates.
Long-arm quilting machine withs sit down table on 10’ frame.
Use a blade against at straight edge to cut mats for frames, thick card stock, and other materials. Cust a straight or beveled edge.
Available at Parma-Snow Branch.Apply sublimation printing to items such as mugs and tumblers. Will accommodate 11” or 15” standard mugs.
- Heat transfer plate 16” x 20”
Available at Mayfield Branch, Bay Village Branch.Finish raw edges of fabric, stitches a seam, trims excess seam allowance and overcasts the edge of your fabric for garment and quilt construction.
Sew a variety of projects using a single needle sewing machine.
- A sewing tool kit is available to check out for use in the Innovation Center.
Print and heat transfer on polyester fabrics or poly-coated materials like wood, tile, acrylic, and glass.
Sublimation paper is available for purchase. See the list of materials for purchase.
Cut precision graphics up to 24” wide using sticker vinyl or heat transfer vinyl to create large format signs, iron-on decals, and other items. Vinyl is available for purchase, see materials list for cost and colors.
Cut precision graphics up to 24” wide using sticker vinyl or heat transfer vinyl to create large format signs, iron-on decals, and other items. Vinyl is available for purchase, see materials list for cost and colors.
Available at Parma-Snow Branch, Garfield Heights Branch.Print and cut full-color banners, wall graphics, stickers, and photos onto a variety of materials. See materials for purchase for full details.
- A grommet press is available for creating banners. Grommets available for purchase, see materialist list for details.
Available at Bay Village Branch.Use this digital drawing tablet’s stylus in place of a mouse to create drawn graphics.
Recommended Resources
There are so many great resources for makers online … it can be hard to know where to begin. A good place to start is with our recommend resources. These are some of our favorite resources for Innovation Center users and makers of all skill levels.