Tinkerers' Lab aims to set up a culture where students are not afraid to get their hands dirty, where students gain self-dependency, self-sufficiency and efficiency in experimentation, a culture where they can approach problems theoretically as well as practically and use the knowledge and experience gained in the process, to come up with something exceptional that could change the course of our future.
Tinkerers' Lab gives the students a vent to channel all their creativity, to construct mechanisms, to take systems apart, rebuild them and in the process apply their brains and come up with design driven and technology based innovations. This in effect will provide the students with more hands on experience thereby increasing their employability and also allow them to come up with innovative ideas. It’s an open to all, completely managed by students and will act as a one-stop-solution for all the technical works of students; be it DIY’s hacks, hobby projects, course projects and even repair works.
The lab is equipped with latest workstations of electrical and mechanical tools with some noteworthy inclusion like laser cutting machines, 3D printer, fabrication facilities, etc. It will provide the freedom and facility to experiment, exercise imaginations, build novel systems and convert concepts and creative ideas to actual engineering products.
IIT Gandhinagar, a relatively new institute with the aim to foster creativity among young engineers, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs, in its endeavor to embed learning-by-doing in the academic curriculum established Tinkerers' Lab at its newly built campus in January 2018 with the support from IIT Bombay Alumni of 1975 batch. The Tinkerers' Lab, popular as TL among students, is a technical facility with essential mechanical, electrical, and electronics tools and equipment to build and program things. The TL at IITGN is completely a students' initiative that requires our students to execute day-to-day operational and maintenance tasks. Despite various challenges, our students have been able to keep TL open to all students on a 24/7 basis. We at IIT Gandhinagar are really excited to see the phenomenal success of TL in encouraging students to start tinkering and explore technology as their hobby to build and innovate.
3D Printing Facility at Tinkerers' Lab is equipped with high quality FDM Printers that provides latest technology for Prototyping and Manufacturing.
Laser Cutting Facility is equipped with advanced Laser Cutting and Engraving Machines that provides highly precise rapid prototyping with various materials.
Vinyl Cutter Facility is equipped with Roland Vinyl Cutter that provides highly accurate result for production.
PCD Milling Facility is equipped with high spindle speed Milling machine to make printed circuit boards.
Mechanical Workspace is equipped with Drilling and Grinding machines, Sawing tools and Measuring equipments.
Electrical Workspace is equipped with Soldering station, Electronic equipments and sensors.
Ever wondered how Instagram makes those exciting filters? Tinkerers' Lab in collaboration with DigiS IITGN brings to you a workshop on getting started with Augmented Reality.
A 12 hour long event on TinkerCAD platform for 1st and 2nd year undergrads where the partcipants have to come up with an Arduino based Disaster Management system.
Tinkering is one of the natural forms of experimentation that we manifest in our everyday life as a way to make or improve things. Tinkerers' Lab is a platform for students to experience innovation and prepare themselves for the future through self-learning. Research in the science of learning supports the model of encouraging tinkering practices at educational institutes and universities.
Tinkerers’ lab is a place to discover the relation between things, forms, shapes, materials and many more. You may find a hidden dimension while doing something as simple as drilling a hole into a piece of wood and come up with a brilliant product. Students who are innovative and creative often may not be good at explaining or representing. They may have a very creative spirit—we need to capture that and Tinkerers lab is a place to satisfy their needs.
TL was my go-to place for all projects - academic and personal. Since it houses a wide variety of equipment, I slowly started to do a lot of my projects in TL and slowly, it had become my second room in the college. I would be there for maximum part of the day. As I was using the lab for long time, I felt the need to give back to it and so had taken up the responsibility to help keep things in place and help other students to operate machines. Tinkerers' Lab has taught me to be responsible, honest, helpful and patient. Managing TL is a tough task and, I thank and congratulate the TL student team for all their time and help. It is really commendable.
"I do not have to think twice before entering a lab," said one of the students to me. I reflect back on these words and realize that Tinkerers' Lab has made it possible to be fearless to explore and learn. The challenge lies in not keeping this wish bounded, and bringing out more from both the lab and the students.
Ex. TL Coordinator/Web Developer
Ex. TL Coordinator/Web Developer
Ex. TL Coordinator
Ex. TL Coordinator
Manager
Manager
Manager / Marketing
Manager
