Policies and Work Prioritization

This page is intended to provide clarity on what we can and can’t work on in EPIC and how we will prioritize work when things get busy. EPIC gets very busy at the end of the semester.  In addition, we often get requests to do work that is outside the educational objectives of the center.  There will be projects/requests that don’t fall into any of these categories; the Director will make individual decisions of EPIC in consultation with the staff and any policies updated.  Pleae check with a staff member or the director if there are any questions or doubts. 

The best way to get the help you need is threefold:

  • Start early
  • Come in and get your design reviewed for manufacturability
  • Plan for multiple iterations on your design and for things not to go well the first time!

What we can help with:

  • Any student with a course project across the university is always welcome to come to EPIC and get help and access to the equipment
  • Design course projects with faculty.  Please let us know before the semester starts!  
  • Help graduate students with research projects.
  • Any student who is starting a company can use EPIC to build prototypes
  • Personal projects by students, faculty, and staff
  • School clubs

What we can’t help with:

  • Support or use of EPIC for private firms and start-up companies operating out of BU facilities (such as the Photonics Center). Even if currently enrolled BU students are employed, they may not complete work for private companies.
  • Production of multiple copies of a product that are going to be sold. For example, BUildLab students can build prototypes but need to outsource production.
  • Storage of projects and project materials
  • Shipping of parts off campus
  • Building parts for research.  We will help you learn the equipment and use it safely.  If you need custom parts built, can reach out to the Scientific Intrumention Facility http://sif.bu.edu/

Products/technologies/materials we won’t allow in EPIC

  • The production of, maintenance of, or modification of any weapons or knives
  • Complete Bikes or Scooters.
  • Design of products that include the wiring, and charging of Lithium Ion batteries.
  • Any mystery material.  You must be able to identify the material you are bringing in so we can safely machine it.
  • Materials that are hazardous when processed (i.e., cutting carbon fiber)

Access to the EPIC lab space. 

  • People will only be allowed to enter the EPIC lab space when there is a staff member or student worker present.
  • Only currently active students, faculty, and staff are allowed to enter EPIC.  Visitors must be accompanied at all times by a member of the BU community and are not allowed to use any of the equipment.  Visitors must follow the EPIC safety guidelines.
  • You must let a staff member or student worker know what you are doing before starting to work on the equipment. Some equipment can only be operated when there is a staff member present.
  • Only staff and certain faculty will be given card access after hours.  Access after hours is at the discretion of the Director of EPIC.
  • Staff offices are off limits and should not be entered without permission.
  • Storage areas are off limits and should not be entered without permission.

The staff of EPIC has the final say on what is and isn’t safe behavior.  You will be warned once about unsafe behavior, if you do not immediately follow the request or are a repeat violator, you may be asked to leave EPIC.  If you have to be reminded multiple times, you may be banned for the rest of the semester.

How we prioritize limited capacity

At the end of the semester, there is always a crunch on resources and some projects can’t be supported.  Based on the load on the space, safety concerns, the skills of the students, the complexity of the project, and the amount of staff time, we may need to scale down or turn away certain projects.

We will prioritize the work in the following order:

  1. COE course work
  2. University course work
  3. Helping grad students build equipment for COE research
  4. Helping grad students build equipment for University research
  5. BU Clubs & Organizations
  6. BUildLab & student-led start-up projects (prototypes)
  7. Student individual projects

Please reach out to Prof. Chomyszak with any policy questions.