DI Hub Membership

Access to the DI HUB’s facilities – including the REACTOR shops and labs – is a privilege that is contingent upon an individual’s membership with the Kent State University Design Innovation Hub. Membership is open to all community members and alumni 18 years old and above, as well as all current KSU students, staff, and faculty. Before gaining access to the REACTOR, DI HUB members must attend a required “DI HUB Orientation” session and pay all outstanding membership fees. Only DI HUB members in good standing will be permitted to enter the REACTOR. A valid KSU or government-issued photo ID is required for entry. Access to the REACTOR shops and labs is restricted to posted hours and may be limited at any time.

Required Safety Training – Required Safety Training – The required “DI HUB Orientation” session will cover most of the general safety requirements of the DI HUB. An additional 1.5-hour power tool and machine guard training is required for any member who wishes to use the Wood Shop, Metal Shop, or Industrial/Robotics Shop. Each member is responsible for ensuring they are properly trained to use the equipment before starting work. DI staff are available to assist with equipment use or if a piece of equipment is out of order, or not operating correctly. DI HUB members should always plan their work to minimize potential risk to themselves and others. In the event of accident or injury, first aid kits and eye wash stations are available at various locations within the REACTOR. Members must report all injuries to DI staff as soon as any emergencies are resolved.

Personal Protective Equipment - Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for entry into many of the DI HUB’s facilities. Applicable clothing and PPE specifications are posted at the entrance to all REACTOR shops and labs where PPE is required. All DI HUB members are responsible for properly adhering to posted PPE requirements and complying with DI staff directives regarding PPE. The DI HUB provides safety glasses, ear protection, gloves, and face masks in each shop or lab, but encourages members to provide their own ANSI Z87.1 certified safety glasses. If a member is unsure of the appropriate PPE for a given operation or has questions about how to procure or wear PPE, they should consult a DI staff member.

Access to the DI HUB’s equipment requires an active DI HUB membership in good standing. While most of the equipment within the DI HUB is available on a first-come, first-served basis, larger items can also be reserved online. Both appointments and walk-ins are welcome, however, the DI HUB cannot guarantee that a given piece of equipment will be available. As such, reservations are recommended. Please check the booking schedule on our website to ensure availability. The equipment within the DI HUB is divided into four distinct levels of access. Level 1 represents the lowest level of risk and Level 4 the highest.

• Level 1 Equipment – This category includes hand tools, computers, and battery-operated power tools. This equipment is considered low risk and no training is required.
• Level 2 Equipment – This category includes corded hand-held power tools, laser cutters, pneumatic tools, and benchtop power tools. This equipment is considered moderate risk and training is required.
• Level 3 Equipment – This category includes powerful portable and light industrial tools such as saws, pneumatic drills, presses, etc. This equipment is considered high risk and training is required.
• Level 4 Equipment – This category includes heavy industrial tools that are operated by staff only.

Handheld Tools and Supplies – The DI HUB’s Resource Library provides a wide selection of handheld tools and supplies for check out. All tools and supplies are available on a first-come, first-served basis and must be returned to the Resource Library by the close of business. Under no circumstance may any item leave the REACTOR or the DI HUB. The resources available in the Resource Library are shared amongst members and may not be monopolized for prolonged periods by a single member.

Usage and Material Fees - While most of the DI HUB’s equipment and tools are free to use, some larger pieces of equipment may require an additional usage fee based on run time or material consumed. Any usage fees are due at the time of service. Also, the DI HUB has a selection of supplies and materials (vinyl, acrylic, cardboard, wood, metal, etc.) available for purchase. Credit cards and FlashCash are the only accepted forms of payment.

The DI HUB employs a dedicated staff of DI Crew members (student employees) who are available to provide guidance and assistance related to the use of DI HUB facilities, equipment, and tools. DI Crew members also provide hands-on training and project consultation services to any DI HUB member. DI Crew members may answer questions, provide advice, act as a sounding board, assist members with equipment, or recommend materials and processes, but they are prohibited from working on projects on behalf of members. DI HUB members are expected to develop and build their own projects, engineer their own devices, and clean up after themselves.

In accordance with the DI HUB’s “Shared by all. Owned by all” philosophy, all DI HUB members are expected to share the responsibility of maintaining a safe, clean, and functional environment. Members are responsible for cleaning up after themselves, clearing any used work surfaces or equipment, and returning any used tools to their proper storage location. Members are responsible for keeping the floor around their workspace clean and free of clutter, liquid, dust, debris, tools, or other slip, trip, or fall hazards. Cleaning supplies are available throughout the DI HUB and upon request. Members are asked to inform a DI staff member when they encounter any safety, cleanliness, maintenance, or technical issues.

DI HUB members are responsible for their own personal belongings. Personal items should not be left unattended. Any abandoned items will be discarded or placed in the REACTOR’s lost and found. The DI HUB is not responsible for any damaged, lost, or stolen items. No personal items, materials, or projects may be stored in the DI HUB’s facilities without prior approval.

Members seeking to temporarily store their projects within the DI HUB may request access to a locker or storage cart. Lockers and storage carts are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may be reserved for a maximum period of one semester. At no time may lockers or storage carts be used to store perishable, flammable, hazardous, electrically charged, or chemically active materials, nor may DI HUB equipment be stored. DI staff reserve the right to periodically audit lockers and storage carts to ensure that usage guidelines are being followed.

In many of the DI HUB’s facilities members may encounter hazardous materials or chemicals. If a material or chemical is considered hazardous, it will be identified with a standardized GHS safety label. Accompanying safety data sheets (SDS) are also available upon request. Any potentially hazardous materials or chemicals procured by members must be vetted by DI staff before they may be used within the DI HUB. Members are expected to provide SDS sheets for all non-approved materials so that they may be evaluated by DI staff. For approved hazardous materials or chemicals, the following safety procedures must be observed:

• Using aerosols or noxious chemicals – such as paints, lacquers, polyurethanes, oils, adhesives, or solvents that emit VOC – must be performed in the spray booth in the Paint/Glue Shop.
• All flammable materials must be stored in the fireproof cabinet in the Paint/Glue Shop.
• Never dispose of hazardous materials in the trash. Non-flammable hazardous materials – such as uncured resin, used solvents, light bulbs, ink, oil, batteries –should be bagged, labeled, and then placed in the red “HAZARDOUS WASTE” bin in the Paint/Glue Shop. Please include a SDS with all hazardous waste.

In case of hazardous material or chemical spills, please immediately clear the affected area and alert DI staff. The REACTOR maintains a spill kit that can accommodate up to 5 gallons of hazardous liquid.

Kent State University prohibits the possession, storage, or use of a deadly weapon in certain circumstances on university property, unless otherwise permitted by state law. In accordance with this policy, the DI HUB prohibits the use of its facilities and equipment for the fabrication of weapons, weapon components, simulated weapons, or weapon-like items. This includes the fabrication of any deadly weapon, whether for offensive or defensive purposes, including knives, swords, firearms, explosive devices, or other dangerous ordnances. DI Staff will report any attempts to fabricate these items to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

The DI HUB’s facilities and equipment may not be used to create material or engage in conduct that is in violation of another’s intellectual property rights. This includes reproducing material subject to copyright, patent, or trademark protection. The DI HUB reserves the right to refuse any request if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the request would involve violation of copyright or other intellectual property laws.

The DI HUB’s facilities and equipment are intended to be used for design iteration, proof-of-concept, and low volume prototyping only. While the DI HUB encourages the development of entrepreneurial products, in accordance with Ohio state and Kent State University policy, the DI HUB is prohibited from competing with private enterprise. This includes the use of DI HUB facilities or equipment to produce materials for commercial fabrication or sale. Only rarely is it permissible for members to manufacture more than 10 copies of any given item at the DI HUB.

If you are unsure whether your project would violate these policies, please contact DI Staff at reactor@kent.edu. DI staff can also assist you in locating professional manufacturing resources when your needs exceed our capabilities.