Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Pumping Station: One

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Motto
  
JFDI

Purpose
  
Hacking, DIY

Origin
  
Chicago

Formation
  
2009

Location
  
United States

Founders
  
Founding Members

Pumping Station: One is a non-profit hackerspace/makerspace in Chicago, Illinois. It's modeled after similar organizations located in the United States and Europe. The facilities consists of approximately 11,000 square feet (1,000 m2) of shop, workspace, and lounge areas.

Contents

About

The stated mission of Pumping Station One is to "foster a collaborative environment wherein people can explore and create intersections between technology, science, art, and culture." The organization provides a workspace and social group for people interested in learning and exploring all aspects of life including science, technology, arts, crafts, software development, foreign languages, and anything else members express an interest in. Members are encouraged to share the knowledge they already possess and structured classes are very common. A member is not necessarily a "hacker" in the computer sense — some members aren't computer experts — but rather "someone who makes something and modifies it and uses it in a way that wasn’t originally intended." Other members volunteer their professions to support the group, such as through legal support.

History

Pumping Station: One started as a loosely knit social group of like-minded individuals meeting regularly at local cafes. In April 2009 the lease was signed for 3354 N. Elston Ave. in the city of Chicago.

Since then, the organization has grown to over 270 members and in mid-June 2012, moved to a new location at 3519 N. Elston Ave.

As of the end of 2016, membership had grown to 435. By this time, the shop had become very well equipped, including a large format CNC router, a 150 watt large format laser cutter, a vertical mill and lathe, as well as a number of 3d printers and other equipment.

Involvement in notable events

  • In August 2010, Pumping Station: One took part in a hackerspace challenge sponsored by Scion. Their entry was a Tron-cycle-powered ice cream maker.
  • Pumping Station: One member Jim Burke launched the Power Racing Series. The first season in 2009 consisted of 6 cars, all backed by other Pumping Station: One members. The second season in 2010 was hosted at the Maker Faire Detroit with competitors from several hackerspaces throughout the country.

    • Facilities

    The Pumping Station: One facilities are divided up into areas, based on their function. These include:

  • CNC — All computer controlled tools, ranging from 3D printers, to laser cutters, to CNC mills.
  • Electronics/mechatronics lab — Where most electronics related things reside, such as meters, scopes, soldering equipment/supplies, and mixed electronics devices for hacking and parts salvaging.
  • General area — Includes a lounge room, work table spaces in the shop, and a scanning electron microscope.
  • Graphic Arts and Textiles — The sewing and fiber arts section of the space. This contains equipment for sewing, weaving and other related activities.
  • Hot Metals — A shop space for hot metals work, such as welding, grinding, and forging.
  • Kitchen — The area for all things food and drink related. Beer Church, the brewing group, is mostly hosted here.
  • Cold Metals — A shop space for cold metals works. Tools include mills, lathes, et cetera.
  • Woodshop — A shop space for woodworking projects. Tools include a SawStop table saw, router, jointer, and thickness planer.
  • Small Metals — A shop space for making jewelry, and other small metal sculpture.

    • References

    Pumping Station: One Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA