“Every makerspace/hackerspace around the world has its own issues to deal with involving use of the machines Insurance policies, waivers, and various forms can only work so well, so this is more tuned to makerspaces that need an extra layer of security, specifically makerspaces located in schools and universities.
Safety and Training are the mantras that are continually spouted across school makerspaces, as well they should be. Safety should be the ultimate goal of any school makerspace, and the best way to assure safety is through training. At Tulane University we employ multi-level training procedures for each group of tools as we see fit, but they key question was in a student-run shop, how do we keep un-trained users from just using the tools anyway?
Our answer was to develop an RFID tag system that would determine whether a user was properly trained for a machine before granting access to that machine. Specifically, if you hadnt been properly trained for that machine, you wouldnt even be able to turn it on. This went a long way toward satisfying both risk-management teams (lawyers) and health-safety officials (administrators).
When I first approached the problem I was surprised that such a system didnt exist outside of proprietary models. Our university partner offered to provide us with a wildly inefficient, ridiculous system, so I decided to create my own system. It took me quite a while (because Im not a very good programmer, as youll see), but once a had a working model it has been in use and running smoothly for nearly a year now. Ive just implemented Version 2.0, and that is what Id like to share with everyone else who may be interested.
As an experimental physicist, I have a basic knowledge of a number of different programming languages, but Im most proficient at LabVIEW. Thus when I tried to write this program in something more shareable I ran into a number of roadblocks and eventually retreated to LabVIEW. I know that this is far from the language of choice for most people, so I hope someone out there is interested in turning it into either a JavaScript or Python program so that more people can take part in improving it.
What you will need:
- A Windows computer (LabVIEW programs cannot run on Android or Mac, it can run on a Raspberry Pi but a separate graphical interface will need to be created).
- An Arduino compatible board with 2 serial ports (an Arduino Mega would work, I like the Digilent uc32 https://store.digilentinc.com/uc32-arduino-programmable-pic32-microcontroller-board/)
- A MySQL server (can use a headless Raspberry Pi, or the Windows computer listed above)
- MySQL Workbench software https://www.mysql.com/products/workbench/ (recommended)
- RFID scanner (I like the package from Sparkfun https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13198)
- Assorted connectors.
- 2-wire cable (any gauge, thin speaker wire works well)
- PowerSwitch Tail (one for each machine http://www.powerswitchtail.com/)
- Power-cord locks (optional, but recommended)
- The general LabVIEW 2014 program (source if you wish to edit, if not use the .exe).
- The LabVIEW package allowing .exe. to run.
If you wish to be able to edit the LabVIEW program, in order to work with the Arduino package you must use LabVIEW 2014. See instructions on the LabVIEW MakerHub for getting version 2014.”