Idea Lab
The Format Conversion Queue is CLOSED
We are not currently accepting format conversion requests.
We only accept media conversion requests when the Idea Lab is open. See hours below, and call prior to your drop-off.
- CLICK HERE to view the intro video for the Pinhole Camera Kit. The intro video will explain how to view the instructions.
- CLICK HERE to visit our YouTube Page, which has all of our video instructions for current and past kits.
- The Idea Lab also offers classes and special events! Be sure to check the latest issue of BPL’s LEARN.CONNECT.DISCOVER. to see our current schedule.
Click here to send us your 3D Model for printing. |
For more information on 3D Printing, scroll down to our 3D Printing section below.
What is The Idea Lab? |
The Idea Lab is a department of the library where we offer a wide array of tools, equipment, software and other services to be used for your personal projects. In the Idea Lab you can make almost anything!
What do you want to create? The Idea Lab can help with that.
Location - View Map
300 W. Merrill St.
Birmingham, MI 48009
Library Hours
Monday–Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Upcoming Closures
December 24: Closed
December 25: Closed
December 31: Closed
January 1, 2025: Closed
Format Conversion |
The Idea Lab can help convert your old media into new digital files, including:
- Video Cassettes (VHS, S-VHS, VHS-C, 8mm/Hi8/Digital8, DV and MiniDV)
- Audio Cassettes
- Microcassettes
- Vinyl Records, LPs, etc. (33/45/78)
- 1/4″ Reel-to-reel audio tape
- Film Slides (35mm, 110, 126, 127, and odd sizes)
- Film Negatives
- 8mm, Super 8mm and 16mm motion picture film
- and many others!
We are also able to extract data from older digital formats including 3.5″ and 5.25″ floppy disks, Zip disks, Jaz disks, etc., and convert their contents to formats compatible with modern computers.
You can bring your materials to The Idea Lab during our hours of operation. Be sure that they are in a bag or box, clearly labeled with your name and contact information, The Idea Lab must be open and staffed in order to drop off materials. Requests are limited to 10 items at a time. We may be unable to accept new requests if our request queue is full.
Please contact us via phone or email if you have questions about format conversion.
3D Printing |
The Idea Lab provides 3D printing services to you! If you have something you would like 3D printed, simply provide us with your 3D model files, and some information about what you’re printing. Your print will be added to the queue, and we will contact you to come and pick it up when it is done!
If you are unable to submit your request through this form please contact The Idea Lab for assistance.
There is currently no charge for 3D printing. The Idea Lab will supply up to 200grams of any filament we have available, per user, per month. Patrons submitting print requests (or series of requests within 1 month) requiring more than 200g of filament will be asked to provide their own filament. The Idea Lab will provide guidance to assist patrons in purchasing filament.
Per our User Agreement BPL reserves the right to halt, delete or disallow the creation of items that violate Library policy, including the creation of weapons and illegal items; and to manage the 3D print queue to best accommodate demand from the Lab’s many users.
Laser Cutter & Engraver |
Our 40 watt laser can cut and etch a wide array of materials. Compatible with wood, glass, paper/cardboard, cloth, leather, plastics, and many other materials. This versatile machine has countless uses – woodworking, fabrication, custom engraving, printed circuit board, stamp-making, and so much more.
Rotary Tumblers |
Used for polishing rocks, beads, gemstones and 3D printed parts, it can be especially useful in post-processing of 3D prints made with “Metal Composite” material.
Heat Press |
This device is used to apply heat and pressure for all kinds of transfer operations. Use with the sublimation printer for full color graphics. Use with die cutters for heat transfer vinyl. Use with the screen printer for plastisol transfers. Also useful for applying heat activated adhesives. We offer attachments for heat pressing cups/mugs, plates, and hats.
Available Software |
- Adobe Creative Cloud
An extensive suite of apps for creating digital media. contains all Adobe programs, including Photoshop for image editing, Illustrator for producing vector graphics, Premiere for video editing, Audition for audio editing, After Effects for VFX, and many others. - Fusion 360
A powerful program from Autodesk for creating and editing 3D model files. - Autodesk Recap
Photogrammetry software for creating 3D models from photographs. - Silhouette Studio
Software to operate the Silhouette Cameo Die Cutting Machines. - Hatch Embroidery 2
A many-featured application for creating prefect embroidery patterns. - and many others!
Other Equipment and Services available by Special Arrangement only: |
- Screen printing
- Sublimation printing
Heating Plates |
Our Laboratory-grade heating plate has an integrated magnetic stirrer, and a detachable thermal probe to ensure perfect accuracy of temperature control. This device is useful in the process of candle making, soap making, or any other situation where the careful melting or heating of a substance is required.
Hours of Operation |
The Idea Lab will be closing at 5:30pm on Thursday 11/21.
We will also be closed on Friday 11/22 through Monday 11/25 for our Retro Expo event.
Normal Operating Hours:
Monday – 9:30am to 9pm
Tuesday – 9:30am to 9pm
Wednesday – 1:30pm to 9pm
Thursday – 9:30am to 9pm
Friday – 9:30am to 5pm
Saturday – 10am to 5pm
Sunday – 12pm to 5pm
Hours subject to change. Please call prior to your visit to ensure a Lab staff member is onsite.
User Agreement |
Please review our Idea Lab User Agreement before utilizing the Idea Lab.
Materials List |
Lab Equipment is compatible with a variety of materials including:
- Adhesive Vinyl
- Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Plywood Sheets
- Acrylic Sheets
- Stampmaking Rubber
- Paper, Cardstock, Foam sheets
- Assorted cloth
- Laser Marking Compounds
- T-shirts, Totebags, Drinkware and other “blanks”
- Embroidery threads, bobbins and stabilizers
- Resins, rubbers, pigments and additives
- Sealants, enamels, and coatings
- Paints, inks, dyes
- Markers, Highlighters, Graphite Pencils, Lacquer Pens
3D PRINTER FILAMENTS
We most commonly print using PLA, but we can print using just about any commercially available filament including:
- PLA – Polylactic acid
- PETG – Polyethylene terephthalate, glycol-modified
- TPU (Flexible) – Thermoplastic polyurethane
- ABS – Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (We don’t like to print ABS if we can avoid it. We recommend PETG instead.)
- ASA – Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate
- PEEK – PolyEtherEtherKetone
- HIPS – High impact polystyrene
- NYLON – FDM Polyamides
- WOOD COMPOSITE
- METAL COMPOSITE
- and many others!
Click here for a helpful article comparing all currently marketed filament varieties.
Ultrasonic Cleaner & Desiccator |
Ultrasonic Cleaner
For cleaning jewelry, metal parts, and more.
Desiccator
To dehydrate just about anything you put in it.
Embroidery and Sewing Machine |
In addition to being a full featured sewing machine, it can also turn any image into a full-color embroidery pattern to be stitched into almost any type of fabric. Useful for monogramming, custom embroidery, making iron-on patches and general sewing.
Button Maker |
Easily make buttons or magnets from designs printed on paper. Multiple sizes available.
Die Cutters |
These machines use computer-controlled blades to slice into various flat materials, such as adhesive vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, paper, cardstock, and so on. Excellent for papercrafts, scrapbooking, printmaking, stencils, heat transfer graphics, and limitless other options.
Hand Tools |
We have a large assortment of hand tools for a variety of uses:
- Soldering Irons
- Rotary Tool (aka Dremel)
- Pliers, adjustable wrenches
- Screw Tighteners (Flat & Phillips Head), Socket drivers, Ratchets
- Pliers, adjustable wrenches
- Cutters, Knives, and Scissors
- Hot Glue gun
- Measuring Devices
- 3D Pens
- Paintbrushes and supplies
- Airbrushes and supplies
- Vacuum dusters
- and many others!
Graphics Tablets and “3D Mice” |
These large digital drawing tablets are an excellent tool for creating digital art. Featuring powered styli with pressure/tilt sensitivity, and a bright full-color screen, they are compatible with Photoshop, Illustrator, or any other visual application. Also offering space navigator “3D mice” for use with CAD and 3D modelling software.
Parking
Free Two-Hour Parking in Chester Street Deck
Metered street parking around Library
Free Parking on Sundays
Library Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Upcoming Closures:
December 24: Closed
December 25: Closed
December 31: Closed
January 1, 2025: Closed