Are you familiar with the tool page?
QR Codes on Tools / Around the Space
1 Like
Ok fair enough if its kept maintained. Aesthetically wise can be a bit overwhelming too to have a lot of QR around. These are my suggestions but I’m curious how it will turned around.
Yeah, I discovered it after some visits when I asked if there’s some sort of inventory.
It’s part of the new discourse user guide and the new member guide as well 
2 Likes
We now have a standardized header on the woodshop tool pages thanks to @mbg!! (with only a little pestering )
I have setup the workflow to generate qr codes with induction+lone working for each tool in a csv on the Mac in the space.
I have attached them to a few tools and given Max his but I’m curios if @CNCtechs @textilestechs @electrotechs @lasertechs would like to join the fun. I printed them at 16 per page but other sizes might be appropriate on other tools.
3 Likes
So… I’ve got some Laser Laminate (like the red sign above the laser cutter) with me atm which i was going to experiment and propose a laser-cut (hopefully durable) way to have QR codes in the space.
My initial thoughts were having Red laminate for tools that need inductions, and Green laminate for tools that do not need inductions.
Next time i’m in the space I’ll do a mockup to see what people think
2 Likes
I love the sound of that. The printed out QR codes are an amazing start but I think a bit easy to miss. Something like that sounds like it would be much more obvious.
Thank you again @Kyle for the effort you’ve put into this! I’ve put them on the tools in the wood shop and need to make and print out a few more. As a part of this, I’ve also been reorganizing and adding information to some of the tool pages. For example, I’ve taken the information on hand planes out of the general “hand tools” page, and moved them to their own, here. I’ve also linked some videos I’ve reviewed and show proper usage to help with learning the tool as well.
My goal is to have this information as easy to access as possible.[quote=“Kyle, post:25, topic:20985, full:true”]
We now have a standardized header on the woodshop tool pages thanks to @mbg!! (with only a little pestering )
I have setup the workflow to generate qr codes with induction+lone working for each tool in a csv on the Mac in the space.
I have attached them to a few tools and given Max his but I’m curios if @CNCtechs @textilestechs @electrotechs @lasertechs would like to join the fun. I printed them at 16 per page but other sizes might be appropriate on other tools.
[/quote]
3 Likes
Throwing my support behind this. I’ve always liked tracking tools back to their pages to capture induction info, maintenance, etc. In my professional life it was serialisation to a database of inspection and testing but QR codes work equally well here I think.
1 Like
This sounds great. For textiles we can have some linked to how to thread a sewing machine, how to rethread the overlockers etc etc.
Part of my NY resolutions for this year is to review and improve the Textiles tools pages including videos etc.
2 Likes
That sounds cool! My hope is to preserve the text bits so that crucial info is understandable without any previous knowledge.
1 Like
This was the vibe i was thinking (of course dependant on how well it reads on the laminate) - I’ve added a line about Lone Working (i think it’s only needed when Lone Working is not allowed)
Black = Engrave
Blue = Cut
I think the induction required bit should be explicit as the signs are most helpful to those new to the space.
What automation around qrcode generation are you using? My hope was that we could use a system that could regenerate these on the fly.
My thoughts were having different coloured tags - red for needing induction, green for not needing induction. So it can be identified at a glance.
I just used google the QR code generated for the mock up - but Ruby has new data merge features…but if we’re lucky might include a QR generator - will report back once i’ve had a play
Having it both encoded in the colour and explicitly spelt out gives some redundancy and helps people know that the colours aren’t just a artistic choice 
2 Likes
Had a stab at putting my Graphic Design degree to use:
Key changes:
- Correct use of the Makerspace brand.
- Unbranded QR code (because not a fan)
- It’s good practice to always put the URL below the QR code for digital inclusion.
- Use of ISO7010 style health and safety signs.
- Simplify the tool name.
I think that we should still have the safe system of work signs up like that which @Dorine made for her area, as you should ideally provide a list of start-up, in-use and shut-down procedures for tools next to them, but for smaller tools, these business card sized QR codes would be great.
Anyway, key point here is we should probably setup Shlink to make short URLs possible otherwise we’ll end up having to reprint QR codes if Discourse ever changes it’s URL schema or we want to move to a different CMS.
3 Likes
Looking good! If you want them printed on sticky back vinyl just let me know
The advantage of having the name of the item (for example Trotec Speedy 300 vs Laser Cutter) is that if there is an issue with the QR code, or if the URL of the tool page changes, the user can still search for the tools page or do further research on the item.
I think there should only be the comments/bottom part if Induction is needed, or if no lone working, or other hazards. So it’s easier to see at a glance if there’s an action needed
Quick note on the URL: there’s an easy way to keep those stable. Looking at the one for tool sharpening for example:
https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/wood-tool-sharpening-chisels-and-plane-blades/31592
By default notice how the tool page name is in the URL to make it human readable but can change, then it’s followed by the page ID, which does not change. You can actually get rid of the name and make that link non-human readable, but much more stable:
https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/31592
If the page name gets changed, that bottom link should keep working.
Here’s a tweaked version of my mockup taking on the comments
My thoughts on URL - with the name of the item already on the tag a user can go to Discourse (or what ever our future tools are) to search for the item if the QR code fails/URL it links to has changed. What is the likely hood of a user manually typing a URL printed on a 70x40cm (approx) bit of laminate vs searching the name of the tool?