campus – Page 2 – ARC Design Hub

April 25, 2018September 11, 2018

A Glimpse Into the Magic of Capturing Memories: Laser Engraved Photos

At the Design Hub, we are constantly putting our beloved laser engraver to work, and now we’re looking at YOU: artists, photographers, models, and students of ARC! If there is any interest in engravings of any photo/drawing/art work that anyone would want, we are here to help you capture that magic on wood.

Our photography intern Kyle Chan has been testing out his own photographs taken from both a dslr camera as well as his iPhone X.

He tells us that, “Being a photographer, seeing the photos printed out and having a tangible piece of artwork is always thrilling, and to create one through such a thrilling process makes the work that much more meaningful for me.” Kyle gifted his photos to his girlfriend for her birthday, and was extremely excited to see his own work engraved into something unique and tangible that will withstand the tests of time.

With a strong rustic flare, these laser engraved photos make for a really cool grad present. What’s even cooler is the fact that it was created by the hands of our very own American River College peers.

April 18, 2018September 10, 2018

Design Hub Interns Work to Save Our Water Systems

Here we meet our Design Hub interns, Dave and Melissa, to explore their new project titled, “Constant Monitor Backflow.” Dave and Melissa, as well as our Design Hub team lead Randy are involved in the fulfillment of the project. Randy was asked by a former co-worker, Bernie Clark, who does field research for Watts, Aims, Fab Co, and most of the back flow companies.

Pictured: Dave, Melissa, Randy, Bernie. Photo by Intern Angelique Doty

This project has to do with our water systems, where the industry today is faced with a challenge. From time to time, our potable water sources can come in contact with contaminants, and the problem our population is faced with is detecting when exactly this happens. Currently, there are annual tests that detect problems, but this is a cause of concern because they are not only costly, but we have to wait a year to see a problem. By the time any problems are detected from these annual tests, damage could already be done, and even more time and money would have to be spent in order to fix these problems.

Of course, our interns saw a challenge, and came up with a solution: blackflow prevention monitors! What the Constant Monitor Backflow project is setting out to do is to eliminate this scenario by implementing a new system where we monitor the backflow prevention to detect problems before they happen. These backflow monitors detect the contamination of the pure water with the sewer lines quickly, providing data that is easily accessed. Now it can be constantly monitored, which will help to detect problems sooner so that they can be fixed in a timely manner. This will increase productivity, and they do not need to turn off the water for the constant monitoring, unlike the annual tests, where the water has to be shut off.

Pictured: Intern Dave, hard at work. Photo by Intern Bailey Wineland

Without the hard work of our dedicated interns, this project would not have been made possible. It began about two years ago, and as this project has unfolded, Design Hub intern Dave has been responsible for the many hours behind the creation of these backflow prevention monitors. He tells us that everything that lies in place now within the confines of these little boxes, all started in his head. He coded the device in our Design Hub lab, making sure it would properly collect and display data, and hand-crafted the circuitboard, complete with all of the wiring and placement within the device.

Pictured: Intern Melissa, hard at work. Photo by Intern Bailey Wineland

Alongside Dave we have intern Melissa, who has been learning the ropes of this project and training as she assists in implementing these monitors. She will one day have the torch passed on to her as this project continues to evolve. Our interns predict that this project won’t end anytime soon, as it is constantly growing and they continue to brainstorm new ways to improve its productivity.

We are hoping that by the end of the summer, there will be monitors set up all over the entire campus. Currently, we have one monitor backflow. By the end of the summer, the interns’ goal is to have one monitor per backflow all over the campus. By increasing the number of monitors, this will help increase the prevention of problems.

In the long run, we are seeking to collect enough data to prove that these devices, though small, are actually quite mighty. As our interns work to fine-tune these monitors, our hope is to have the opportunity to impact an important industry in a vastly positive way. Few things are as important as safe drinking water, and we are setting out to keep it safe in a clean, efficient, and budget-friendly way.

April 17, 2018September 10, 2018

Constant Backflow Monitor

We sat down with Dave and Melissa to explore their new project titled, Constant Backflow Monitor. Interns Dave and Melissa, along with Prof. Randall Schuster worked on this project. Randy was asked by a former co-worker who works in the industry for this project. The Constant Monitor Backflow project is a new system where we monitor the backflow prevention to detect problems before they happen. The purpose of the backflow preventers is to prevent the contamination of the pure water on campus with the sewer lines.

Backflow Monitor Preventer — Constant Backflow Preventer Monitor

Now, it can be constantly monitored which will help to detect problems sooner so that they can be fixed in a timely manner. This project was ordered because the annual tests would only detect problems once a year, but now it can detect problems to be fixed quicker which will increase productivity, and they do not need to turn off the water for the constant monitoring, where with the annual tests the water had to be shut off. The project began about two years ago, and the interns predict that it won’t end because the project is constantly evolving and they are brainstorming new ideas to improve its productivity. They hope that by the end of the summer, there will be monitors over the entire campus. Currently, they have one backflow moinitor. By the end of the summer, the interns’ goal is to have one monitor per backflow all over the campus. By increasing the number of monitors, this will help increase the prevention of problems.

Backflow Monitor - Guts — Backflow Monitor – Guts

Backflow Monitor - More Guts — Backflow Monitor – More Guts

Design Hub interns, Bailey Wineland and Angelique Doty, were responsible for documenting this project with photographs and written articles from interviewing them.

April 16, 2018September 11, 2018

5 Things to Know About our Monthly Email List (And Why You Should Sign Up Today)

Our Monthly Email List is fired up and ready to go! Although, some of our readers may have some questions about what it is, what it’s for, and who it’s for. Today we are answering those questions! So we’ll dive right in.

WHAT IS IT?

This will be a nice summary and recap on everything that is going on each month behind the scenes at the Design Hub that will be conveniently sent out to all of our members who sign up on our email list.

Basically everything that we post here on our website: our projects, events, meetings, everything we make, and everything we’re about is going to be condensed into one time-friendly, easily- digested email. This email will, of course, come complete with pictures and links to all of our social media in case a certain story sparks a little extra interest and someone wants to see more.

WHY AN EMAIL RECAP/ HOW DO I SIGN UP?

Just because we know that not everyone makes it directly to our website all of the time. So, for this reason, we wanted to make a nice, readily available, quick-read version of all of the neat stuff going on here, and send it out to everyone who wants to keep in the loop, but may not have the time to browse every single article on our website.

To sign up, use the QR code or link below!

WHO IS IT FOR?

Most of our audience members are busy, hustling college students. We know this. ~Quick shout out to them!~ The rest of our following are tech savvy, busy-minded people who love efficiency and access. We know and love our demographic. That’s why we want to make it easier for our Design Hub story to reach our audience members.

This monthly email recap is for anyone who wants to keep in the loop with all of the incredible projects we have going on at the Design Hub. I suggest everyone gives it a peek.

WHY SHOULD I SIGN UP?

If you want updates on internship or work opportunities, or to stay in the know with campus events, clubs at ARC, or simply just read up on the cool things our student interns are creating and doing, sign yourself up! It’s easy, convenient, and -every college student’s favorite “F” word- free.

HOW DO I SPREAD THE WORD?

Word of mouth is huge for us. Most of the interns we have now came dancing over to us after they were told about the Hub from their professors, friends, and colleagues. We also love seeing our accounts tagged with your stuff on social media. It may seem simple, but every like, tag, favorite, or retweet on Twitter and Instagram is HUGE for us because that means just one more person is seeing what we do. And if it inspires or speaks to them, then we consider that a big win for the Design Hub.

Forwarding our emails that we send out every month to people who may be interested would also immensely help- not only the Hub, but anyone who may benefit from hearing about the opportunities we can offer to them. Sending over the links to sign up, visiting our website, or even applying to be an intern yourself!

Sign up today, everyone. We really appreciate the support and love we’ve gotten so far. Lets spread that love a little farther.

March 12, 2018September 11, 2018

CNC Router

The CNC Router interns gave a tour around their machine in the back room of the Design Lab Room 311. The router was being tested first to make sure that it works properly before executing the projects. It is being tested on plywood.

This particular project on the CNC Router is the letters, “ARC” being drilled into the wood as a test before other, more complex images are carved into the wood. After the initial testing takes place with just the letters, “ARC,” then the router interns will move on to further advanced projects such as carving out detailed photographs.

To do this, first the intern must use the software, V Curve, to upload, design, and save the file onto the computer. Then load the image to the CNC control panel which will command it to cut into the wood. Home on the CNC Router control panel tells it where to start cutting. The interns can actually set how far deep they want to cut into the wood also at the home button on the control panel. Randy ordered the CNC Router interns to test out this machine to prepare it for further use later on for more projects. There is an ongoing series of projects using the CNC Router throughout the semester. It can be viewed in the Design Lab, where some of the beautiful woodwork is displayed. This particular project of engraving a family photo from an image on the computer screen to a piece of plywood is especially meaningful for people who want pictures to last longer than they would on paper. It’s a special way of remembering those we cherish, because one can have the gorgeous frame with them for life.