Expanding Manufacturing Capacity For E-Bikes Made In CT
Our small operation has been building electric bikes in Branford since 2018. This past year, we wanted to expand our ability to take on more custom work and add value to our product line.
We felt that taking the welding class would be a great way for our team to begin this process. It turned out we were right! The knowledge we gained in the 3 hour class was enough to give us the confidence to purchase an entire TIG set up for our facility and get going on design. We are now pushing even further beyond “one-off customs” and have started prototyping full frames in house.
We highly recommend you check out Makerspace CT and take the class. Even if you don’t have a specific plan to add a TIG setup like us, the class is still completely worth it. The staff is great, tools are high quality, and most important: you’ll have a ton of fun.
My Name is Marvin and I reside here in Connecticut after arriving from Jamaica 20 years ago. I’ve been servicing high-performance vehicles for as long as I can remember. Two years ago, I opened Notorious Motorsport in Waterbury, CT. My staff and I build stock, high-performance, and race engines to the highest tolerances possible. We deliver the best components available with dependable performance to all of our customers.
Building custom intakes and turbo exhaust systems involves complicated bends and fabrication of stainless and aluminum tubing. I signed up for the TIG basics class at MakerspaceCT and then added additional intermediate instruction from their highly qualified instructor. Once I felt confident, we invested in equipment at our shop and are now welding our own custom piping.
There’s really no other place like MakerspaceCT- where you can get solid instruction and hands-on experience in just a few hours. Then, continue to return and build on those skills!
MakerspaceCT featured on “Meet the Manufacturers” Podcast
Devra Sisitsky the Founder and Executive Director of MakerspaceCT, and Mark Colbert the Operations and Development Manager, were recently featured on ManufactureCT’s podcast “Meet the Manufacturers”. They spoke about our background and history, and our efforts to provide education as a stepping stone to professions in manufacturing.
Over the course of three months, members, volunteers and staff at MakerspaceCT created our own interpretation of Noisebridge Hackerspace’s Flaschen Taschen, a grid of 1,575 glass soda bottles filled with individually addressable color-changing LEDs to create a giant, low-resolution interactive art piece.
Thanks to Avery’s Soda in New Britain, we assembled the components necessary to realize this project here at MakerspaceCT. The project was launched on June 21, 2019 during National Week of Making and is now completed as of September 13, 2019.
MakerspaceCT’s Flaschen Taschen had its public debut at Small State Great Beer in Hartford on Saturday, September 14, 2019. Now that the project is completed, the display will be open for tinkering and hacking at our space. We hope to make the display available for more public events in the future as well.
On Friday, March 1st, MakerspaceCT kicked off its final phase of construction in the former G. Fox building on Main Street in Hartford, Connecticut.
MakerspaceCT will be the largest makerspace in Connecticut and the 2nd largest in New England. Prospective inventors, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, hobbyists and students across the region will be empowered with access to tools, technology, resources and learning opportunities.
Executive Director, Devra Sisitsky, proudly announced that the grand opening will be Saturday, April 13, 2019, the culmination of five years of planning and hard work.
“This is the kind of project that takes a lot of people, a lot of energy and a lot of big brains,” said Sisitsky at the gathering of supporters, donors, business leaders and dignitaries. She shared the podium with Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Senator Richard Blumenthal.
“We found a supportive community here in Hartford and we are very grateful to be here,” Sisitsky said. “Mayor Luke Bronin has been my champion throughout this entire journey.”
Hartford has worked hard to position itself to be at the forefront of the industrial revolutions that are happening today — most recently in the areas of Insurtech, advanced manufacturing, digital health and social enterprise. As many as fifty to seventy startups from around the world are attracted to the Hartford area each year to participate in accelerators hosted by Startup Bootcamp, Stanley Black and Decker and many others.
“This space is a vital addition to the innovation ecosystem in Hartford,” said Bronin. “It helps ensure that our community, our residents, our neighbors who have the vision to start a business or invent something, that they have a place to do it. The fact that MakerspaceCT is also committed to an educational mission is also vitally important.”
Another big day for #Hartford innovation. @MakerspaceCT will be the largest maker space in the state. A place for innovators and inventors to make ideas reality, build their business & keep Hartford at the forefront of the 4th Industrial Revolution. #InclusiveInnovationpic.twitter.com/WGLgiC3C0J
MakerspaceCT will offer a range of courses, and will collaborate with local colleges and schools. Courses will enable students, entrepreneurs, women, innovators and anyone interested in learning and using tools for developing prototypes and innovations the opportunity to use on-site equipment and materials, working with on-site professionals.
Susan Bysiewicz echoed the excitement about the potential for economic development and education.
“What’s exciting about this space is that young people are here and hopefully more will want to come to downtown Hartford,” she said. “I see it as a way to revitalize our cities. The potential is in this space to grow great new businesses, great new ideas and a better Connecticut.”
When MakerspaceCT opens in April, it will provide access to tools and technology for local inventors, innovators, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, hobbyists, and students. It is a springboard for innovation, and a new way to boost careers and interest in traditional and advanced manufacturing, technology, hardware development and preparation to function in Industry 4.0.
“Making things has always been in Connecticut’s DNA. What will you make?” said Senator Richard Blumenthal, referring to the slogan printed on the side of the podium on the event stage. “That’s the challenge we are facing in our nation today. What will we be making better than anyone else? The answer is in this room. If there is one part of this space that is important above other, it is the opportunity for skills training.”
At MakerspaceCT, instructors will provide introductory classes on subjects including Arduino Microcontroller, Raspberry Pi, 3D Printing and 3D Scanning. Some have already been offered, even in advance of the formal opening of the facility. CTNext/Innovation Places provided a grant in 2018 that supported scholarships for Connecticut residents to take free maker workshops led by skilled professionals. Already, more than 120 individuals have been thru courses or are scheduled to complete courses this year.
“It is these types of dynamic spaces that allow collaboration and innovation to happen,” said Glendowlyn Thames of CTNext. “We look forward to continuing the partnership we have with MakerspaceCT.”
To Celebrate the Grand Opening, MakerspaceCT will hold a Community Day from 10:30am – 4pm on Saturday, April 13th.
Media Coverage of the Kick-Off Event:
Biggest makerspace in Connecticut to open in Hartford this spring
(Hartford Courant) MakerspaceCT, the 20,000-square-foot manufacturing and innovation lab soon to open in the basement of the historic G. Fox Building downtown, will help Connecticut write the next chapter of its legacy as a home to makers, creators and inventors, organizers said Friday. Read The Article
MakerspaceCT Community Coming to Hartford
(NBC Connecticut) The historic G. Fox building in Hartford is getting new life. It will soon be MakerspaceCT, a place for inventors, manufactures and students—to create and work. “It’s a 20,000-square foot space filled with education, opportunities, equipment and tools,” said Devra Sisitsky, MakerspaceCT founder and executive director. Read The Article
MakerspaceCT Will Soon Foster Innovation in Hartford
(WeHartford) MakerspaceCT recently announced they are in their final kick off stage of their construction phase. Founder of MakerspaceCT, Devra Sisitsky, had a mission to impact lives by enabling access, innovation and education, and now this mission is only weeks away from becoming a reality. Read The Article
The January issue of Hartford Magazine is celebrating the leaders who bring new business opportunities to Hartford and support the region’s entrepreneurial culture.
MakerspaceCT’s founder and executive director Devra Sisitsky is included in this esteemed group, along with…
✔︎ John Thomas of Community Solutions ✔︎ Glendowlyn L. H. Thames of CTNext ✔︎ Joseph Williams Jr. of Connecticut Small Business Development Center ✔︎ Moraima Gutierrez of the U.S. Small Business Administration
Episode 11 of the InnovateCT Podcast focused on the Makerspace movement with Devra Sisitsky of MakerspaceCT. Devra is the driving force and founder of the new makerspace being built in downtown Hartford and scheduled to open Winter 2019! Learn more by listening and following the link below.
To learn more about the InnovateCT podcast and to listen online, click here.
MakerspaceCT executive director Devra Sisitsky promoted Hartford Revitalization and gave a sneak peek of what’s in store at our 20,000+ space at two recent events.
MakerspaceCT Hosts The Connecticut Library Consortium
Last week, we gave librarians (and fellow makers) from across the state a sneak peek at the buildout of our 20,000+ square foot space.
All were impressed and excited about what we have in store.
Thanks, @MakerspaceCT for giving the @CLCct Makers/librarians a sneak peek at the 20,000 sq. ft. commercial quality makerspace you’re building in Hartford to, “….lift up individuals & communities”—Love your vision & your innovative space! pic.twitter.com/X10QdFVPBB
Executive Director Devra Sisitsky presents to Greater Hartford BOMA
Changes are happening in Hartford, you can see them throughout the City! And now with MakerspaceCT moving into the old G. Fox building and joining the Hartford community, there will be even more changes happening to the buildings themselves.
MakerspaceCT executive director Devra Sisitsky joined Jamie Brätt, Deputy Director of Development Services for the City of Hartford, for a presentation to the group on the many revitalization efforts happening in Hartford.
Our own John Harris was also on-hand to demo one of our 3D printers.
Operating Hours: We are operating at reduced capacity for July – Aug 2022.
New Operating Hours (starting 7/22): Fri: 10am-9pm / Sat: 10am-6pm / Sun – Thurs: CLOSED
IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER: Check our website homepage or Facebook and Twitter for updates for possible changes to our hours of operation.
Holiday schedule:
Wed, Nov 23, 2022: Closing at 5:00 p.m. Thu, Nov 24, 2022: CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING Sat, Dec 24, 2022: Closing at 5:00 p.m. Sun, Dec 25, 2022: CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS Sat, Dec 31, 2022: Closing at 5:00 p.m. Sun, Jan 1, 2023: CLOSED FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY
MakerspaceCT is a program of McEIVR, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
