We have an Epilog Mini, it is on the local network that our lab's computers are on.
We print to it as we would any other printer, except there are two "printers," one for vector and one for raster.
I would have used a different non-retarded computer if I was allowed to, but the computer rules specifically ban the use of non-school computers.
This is because we are covered by BESS, an evil blocking system that, among others, blocks all images from reprap.org (AND THE BLOGS!!!! Gah!) just because they are hosted at flickr. Bringing a non-controlled machine in would compromise their system. This despite having massive holes with the privileges on the lab computers, but I don't need to go into that.
HOWEVER, if we were magically donated a new fab-lab computer (ours had a critical failure due to being ancient) or replacement parts, we probably would be allowed to do more with it as it is not on the same network, and can only see the laser cutter and milling machines. (I do not know about its network access mush, I will email my instructor.)
Anyway.
As for electronics, I think we will be purchasing completed Arduino boards, as I in no way trust our team to be able to solder them ourselves. I am the only one with practice of this, and I do not like the idea of doing all of that part myself. (I could, but it is too much of a hassle for a relatively low expense.)
We print to it as we would any other printer, except there are two "printers," one for vector and one for raster.
I would have used a different non-retarded computer if I was allowed to, but the computer rules specifically ban the use of non-school computers.
This is because we are covered by BESS, an evil blocking system that, among others, blocks all images from reprap.org (AND THE BLOGS!!!! Gah!) just because they are hosted at flickr. Bringing a non-controlled machine in would compromise their system. This despite having massive holes with the privileges on the lab computers, but I don't need to go into that.
HOWEVER, if we were magically donated a new fab-lab computer (ours had a critical failure due to being ancient) or replacement parts, we probably would be allowed to do more with it as it is not on the same network, and can only see the laser cutter and milling machines. (I do not know about its network access mush, I will email my instructor.)
Anyway.
As for electronics, I think we will be purchasing completed Arduino boards, as I in no way trust our team to be able to solder them ourselves. I am the only one with practice of this, and I do not like the idea of doing all of that part myself. (I could, but it is too much of a hassle for a relatively low expense.)