Maker north in the news

Local Soo entrepreneur uses 3D printing to make thousands of face shields

January 25th, 2022

In the early days of the pandemic, many smart and savvy people were quick to pivot. They didn’t hesitate to jump in and offer assistance, wanting to provide as much help as possible.

One such example can be found in a small local company, Maker North, and its Founder and Director Joseph Bertrand.

Maker North is located in Sault Ste. Marie and offers 3D printing, laser cutting, design services, education and prototype development. The business was Bertrand’s brainchild; he started the whole endeavour in his garage.

Some of Maker North’s customers are entrepreneurs who need help bringing their own products to market. Others are businesses or individuals who want to purchase a product that they can 3D print or laser cut.

It’s truly amazing what can be accomplished working out of an 800-sq.-ft. workshop. In a short time, Bertrand and his team have designed and manufactured numerous products, grown a devoted client base and secured their position as the first-to-market in Northern Ontario.

Early in 2020, from the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Maker North was hit hard. At that point they were also operating a communal Maker Space, which, due to the restrictions in place, had to be shut down.

Yet Bertrand immediately knew what to do. He and his team were keen to help out, so they jumped right in, designing their own PPE to help healthcare and essential workers. They used their 3D printers to print thousands of face shields.

In fact, not only did the company ramp up production, they changed the whole purpose of the business. Maker North had started out in its early days as an additive manufacturing facility, became a popular Maker Space and was now back to being a full-time manufacturer once again.

“Over the years we have learned how to be an innovator in the Algoma Region by being the most advanced manufacturer in the area,” says Bertrand. “We have the most 3D printers and the largest laser cutter in the area—as well as a talented team of employees.”

Bertrand, a long-time Soo resident, worked in public service until his retirement in 2018 and is a dedicated tech enthusiast. He is also a strong advocate for additive manufacturing as an engine of economic and social change in the community.

He works closely alongside Riley Drover, the Chief Design Technician at Maker North.

Drover is a talented graphic designer who graduated from Sault College in 2015.

Maker North was able to receive a Medical Device Establishment License from the government and some financial assistance through the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre’s Business Technology Improvement Fund, which is supported by FedNor. This enabled Bertrand to able to invest in injection molding equipment. The company partnered with Rynz Innovative Tooling Inc. in Seguin, Ontario and together they started producing the much-needed face shields.

They ordered several new 3D printers to help them keep up with the demand. For two months straight they worked tirelessly, printing 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Face shields were sent to the Sault Area Hospital, the fire department, first responders and frontline workers, including Sault Transit Operators. They were distributed locally and across Northeastern Ontario—some even made it as far as the Yukon.

As it happens, this all aligned perfectly with the vision Bertrand had in mind when he first started the business. His goal was always to use the best technology locally to solve local problems.

Giving thanks

Bertrand is grateful for the help his company has received.

The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce has given Maker North access to its network of professionals, allowing the company to develop a local supply chain with other area businesses who are also chamber members. The Chamber is actively promoting Maker North Inc. through the #lovelocal campaign. CEO Rory Ring has been available to Bertrand and helped with any questions he had regarding legislative and government policies.

“I would also like to say thank you to the local innovation centre that has provided excellent service and support through the last four years,” he says. “The team at the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre has allowed us an opportunity to succeed with local entrepreneurs and businesses alike.”

Looking ahead

The company continues to sell Canadian-made face shields to individuals, companies and educational facilities all across the country. They are also working on two new products—Face Savers and Ear Savers—that allow you to wear masks more comfortably.

Another current project has them working on prototyping retrofit parts for a local seniors’ care centre. “The parts they need are no longer available and we can save them thousands of dollars making a comparable replacement part,” Bertrand says.

They are also developing micro credentials to provide the local economy with skills and access to additive and advanced manufacturing. For example, they have partnered with Skills Ontario to offer March Break programming for youth across Canada and the world, as well as eCampusOntario. The company is also providing services and access to their facility to Science North. Maker North will continue to work alongside Science North to leverage funding opportunities for upcoming government support for providing micro credentials for Northern Ontario students and businesses.

Looking ahead, they’re excited to work closely with business, government and educational partners to create an ecosystem of technology that is hyper-focused on solving local problems and meeting the needs of the local market. Says Bertrand, “This will allow our growth in the business and help provide access to those who don’t want to travel to get services like prototyping, laser cutting and 3D printing.”

For more information, visit Maker North or call (705) 450-6054.

Source:
https://www.sootoday.com/spotlight/local-soo-entrepreneur-uses-3d-printing-to-make-thousands-of-face-shields-4975792

Northern Ontario COVID-19 Heroes

June 23rd 2021

The coronavirus pandemic has tested people, businesses and communities across Northern Ontario,  the country and around the globe. Eager to help, some local businesses have risen to the challenge, demonstrating their ingenuity and flexibility to join the fight against COVID-19.

Take Maker North in Sault Ste. Marie, for example, which quickly pivoted to make face shields for healthcare and essential workers. With some financial assistance received through the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre’s Business Technology Improvement Fund, supported by FedNor, Joseph Bertrand invested in injection moulding equipment. Partnering with Rynz Innovative Tooling of Seguin, Ontario, it started producing face shields.

“We ordered four to five new 3-D printers to assist with the demand,” said Joseph Bertrand, Founder and Director of Maker North. “We were printing 24 hours a day, seven days a week for two solid months. Hundreds went to the Sault Area Hospital, the Fire Department, First Responders and frontline workers such as Sault Transit Operators.” Bertrand, who was motivated to save lives because his wife had spent her career working at the Sault Area Hospital, distributed his face shields locally and across Northeastern Ontario with some going as far as the Yukon. He says that so far, all recipients of his shields have remained COVID-19-free.

Physician Scheduling Software Eases Hospital Traffic Flow

Technology developed MetricAid of North Bay helps staff mass vaccination clinics.

MetricAid is a technology company based in North Bay whose physician scheduling software matches capacity with demand while anticipating the ebb and flow of patients. The result is reduced patient wait times, improved patient outcomes and increased physician satisfaction. Giving doctors remote access to the web-based platform enables them to specify how many shifts they want to work and where. This technology, funded in part by FedNor, has been instrumental in staffing the emergency departments in North Bay and Sudbury, as well as two of the largest mass COVID-19 vaccination clinics in southern Ontario.

“There are doctors who might want to pick up a couple of shifts so we build a schedule upon that,” explains Lora Webb, Chief Administrative Officer, MetricAid. “Our system can also incorporate volunteers who would assist, telling everyone exactly where and when they are to show up, and can be adjusted daily based on the number of patients and available vaccine. It simplifies an incredibly complex task involving countless moving parts.”

At a time when healthcare workers are dealing with exhaustion, Webb says the software ensures that they have the human resources they need when they go on shift.

Meanwhile Sleeping Giant Brewing Company is one of several Northern Ontario businesses that has jumped in to meet the need for hand sanitizer.

“The City of Thunder Bay asked if we could help,” revealed Drea Mulligan, CEO and Co-founder of Sleeping Giant Brewing Company. “We put our whole company on the line to source the ingredients. Because we were not a distillery, we did not produce alcohol. It was a huge capital investment and very risky dealing with new suppliers. We couldn’t afford to interrupt our own production so our employees agreed to work six days a week so we could produce hand sanitizer on Saturdays.”

Mulligan, who has benefited from the Women Entrepreneurship Fund through FedNor, says the outpouring of gratitude from the community was overwhelming. Ornge Air Ambulance took all of the first batch.

“Our employees were very proud to deliver it to the airport tarmac and see it being loaded for delivery across the North. I can’t begin to describe how much the community’s thank you meant to us.”

‘Can’ do attitude rallies Thunder Bay brewery employees

Sleeping Giant Brewing Company delivers its first batch of hand sanitizer (in cans) to Ornge Air Ambulance.

The closure of the brewery’s taproom and the shuttering of its event portfolio and licensees across the province resulted in a revenue loss of $1.5 million. Persevering, the company implemented numerous public health safety measures and switched from selling hundreds of thousands of kegs to canned beer, implementing same day delivery and curbside pickup. Everyone’s hard work paid off and Sleeping Giant came out ahead. Initially 24 of its 35 employees were laid off. All but four have returned.

The family-run and oriented business also adapted to help meet some of its employees’ needs, many of whom had young families. That’s why Mulligan and her husband Kyle, co-founder and head brewer, opened a daycare centre, believing that if they were in a position to help, they should.  Nearly a year later, the small centre has found a permanent home across the street from the brewery and a larger licenced facility that will accommodate 39 children from the community once it opens in July 2021. The childcare and early childhood education workers are employed by the craft brewery.

In a time of need, these Northern Ontario businesses and many others just like them have proven that serving their community and beyond is just as important to them as serving their clients and customers.

These companies are truly Northern Ontario heroes and FedNor is proud to have been able to help!

Source:
https://fednor.gc.ca/eic/site/fednor-fednor.nsf/eng/fn04605.html

Maker North putting Northern Ontario on the map in the world of 3D printing

AUGust 6th 2020

Remember that time you had to throw something away because there was no replacement part? Or when you had an invention but had no means to make a prototype? 

You can print those components now.

Maker North Inc. is Northern Ontario’s first-to-market additive manufacturer. In simpler terms, it means that when they opened, in 2017, they were the first Northern Ontario business to design and manufacture 3D printed products. 

“We’re breaking down barriers,” said Maker North founder, Joseph Bertrand. “Before our opening, people had no starting point or road map as to where to even take an idea to the final prototype.”

Since opening, he has helped numerous people get products made and into local and major markets.  

“We can take products from idea to marketplace in a very short period of time,” said Bertrand. While 3D printing can seem like something you would have seen on the Jetsons or Star Trek, Bertrand said the process can be simplified by thinking of it as heating bioplastics into a molten liquid in a printer. 

“Think of it like a glue gun on steroids that attaches one layer to another,” he explained. “And, in terms of computer technology, it is a program of ones and zeros and up and down and back and forth.”

It is the wave of the future and area youth have been able to benefit from this local resource, as well.

“Students from the Algoma District School Board’s (ADSB) Aerospace Aeronautics program have used our equipment to build rockets for their projects,” he said. He’s also held 3D printing classes for ADSB which Bertrand said is giving them insight into what will be jobs of the future.

In addition to 3D printing and laser cutting services, Maker North offered a small maker space where people could learn the technology. This was halted when COVID-19 struck. 

“It put a stop to everything very quickly but then I started to think about how our technology could solve a problem and that’s when the topic of visors and face shields came to be,” he said. “I wanted to help and my first commitment was to Sault Area Hospital (SAH).”

Maker North was able to receive an MDEL – certification of Medical Device Establishment License from the government. The Innovation Centre also assisted with tapping into funding for new 3D equipment specifically used to produce personal protective equipment (PPE).

“We got the approval, the government fast-tracked for it and applied for our own CPIL patent for the Maker North brand,” he said. “Within 45 days, we created 6,000 units.” 

Maker North partnered with Ryan’s Innovative, an injection moulding company in Parry Sound, and they were able to punch out the support band and ship them back to them. 

“We turned the wheel, big time, on that one,” he said. “We were laser cutting plastic for shields 24 hours a day, seven days a week for 57 days.”

Providing PPE to SAH staff was a great honour to Bertrand. 

“When they ordered, they were trusting me enough to help save lives,” he said. He said it was humbling and it fit the mantra he wanted to follow when he opened the business.

“When I started this business, it was to help other people with achieving ideas but, the bottom line was that my mantra was to use the best technology locally to solve local problems and those PPE masks met that vision.”

Along with his wife, Lori who handles bookkeeping responsibilities, Maker North also employs Riley Drover as chief design technician and Ian Ingram as a 3D technician. Both Drover and Ingram are Sault College graduates. 

“I’m the catalyst of intentions but they are what runs this business,” he said. “I put together the best team I could. He added that as technicians, they not only design but are also certified to repair equipment and, therefore, a valued resource in the broader 3D community.  

For more information on Maker North, including their full list of services, visit makernorth.ca or call 705-450-6054. 

Source:
https://www.sootoday.com/spotlight/maker-north-putting-northern-ontario-on-the-map-in-the-world-of-3d-printing-2614116

MAKER NORTH Hosts pd day for social services youth

November 22nd 2020

Check out this video in support of November 22nd Supporting our youth!

MAKER NORTH WILL ATTEND 2019 Manufacturing Excellence Summit

October 2nd 2019

The Manufacturing Excellence Summit is an annual event designed to bring manufacturers from all over the state together for lunch, networking, presentations, and awards. This year, the summit will take place at Smithers Test Track in Raco.

Local News
Maker North: A bonding place

By Andrea Reif
March 23, 2019

We are Northern people who follow that Maker Life.

Maker North is a local shop for people who love to create awesome stuff.
Offering Laser Cutting, 3D Printing, Photography Studio Access, and a Full Wood Shop!
They are exceptional and they are green!

That’s right, they are green. Maker North uses corn stalks and leaves in place of plastic with their 3D printers, a material that also bonds perfectly with other Bio-friendly, Bio-degradable products. They offer a space where our children can enjoy designing their own toys and we can feel proud knowing those toys will not have a negative effect on our environment! But it’s not just for children, in fact, everyone who comes here has to go through different levels of training to be allowed to use any of their equipment unsupervised. They take care of keeping the shop well maintained and very clean and take in anyone willing to learn. Offering multiple different classes and programs for those with special needs.

This wonderful company began in late 2017 and officially opened its doors to the public in June of 2018.
Joe Bertrand, former social worker and one of our awesome community members had no intention of going into retirement, instead, he used his life savings to open Maker North a place where everyone can go to relax, learn and make. Maker North is fueled by the kind and determined Joe Bertrand, Helen Scott, and Ali Pearson. They believe that in time their products will be helping the whole city live greener lives and they aim to build fully-functioning prosthetic body parts for those in need.

The location is great because it is walking distance from the water and close to many historical sites. The community is incredibly important to Joe and his crew.
They believe that Maker North is a bonding place that brings people together for the better and they want to make a personal difference in as many lives as possible.
They take care, treating everyone with respect and kindness and hoping they leave feeling even better than they did when they arrived.
Maker North is a beautiful Part of Our Soo.

MAKer north wins Innovation Project of the year at SSMArt Awards

We are excited to share our news! Maker North attended the SSMIC SSMArt Awards today where we were honoured to receive The Project of the Year Award. Thank you SSMIC and thank you Sault Ste. Marie!
Photo credit: Ali Pearson

LOCAL News
Romano welcomes innovative new business with $178K
By Sootoday STaff
Oct 27, 2018

NEWS RELEASE
ROSS ROMANO, SAULT STE. MARIE MPP
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Today MPP Ross Romano attended the grand opening of Maker North at 55 Church Street – a brand new manufacturing company in Sault Ste. Marie specializing in additive advanced manufacturing.

Maker North is using new technology such as 3D printing and laser cutting to create a streamlined and more cost efficient process of manufacturing prototypes to help local entrepreneurs in their business endeavours.

“Maker North is a great innovative space for the Sault,” said Romano. “The digital economy is a growing industry around the world and is always a welcome addition to our local business community.”

The opening on Friday was made in part due to the Ontario government granting Maker North $178,000 in NOHFC funding that will create four full-time and two part-time jobs. Romano stressed the importance of NOHFC as a driver for economic development in this and future initiatives in Northern Ontario.

“I am proud to be able to present Maker North with this sizeable contribution from NOHFC,” Romano said Friday. “Our government’s desire to invest in Northern Ontario businesses not only opens the door for us to expand our economic potential in the region, but allows us to diversify our local job base in the Sault and prevent our youth from leaving home to find employment elsewhere.”

This investment was received by co-founders Helen Scott and Joseph Bertrand, who believe their business will create opportunities for local makers and entrepreneurs to make the most of their business ventures. “We are grateful to the grant from the NOHFC and very happy with the space improvements and equipment we have been and will be able to obtain with these funds” said Scott.

Bertrand echoed Scott’s sentiments adding Maker North is, “giving access to the technology of the future to help the local entrepreneur to get to the next level”.

This announcement comes days after Ontario’s new government introduced Bill 47, the Make Ontario Open for Business Act. If passed, Bill 47 would allow the process of investing and creating jobs to become easier for companies by reducing the red-tape burden and removing unnecessary regulations while implementing effective ones.

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LOCAL News
Maker North “Using Local Resources to Create Local Solutions for Local Problems.”
By Megan Pounder
October 26 2018

Maker North celebrated its grand opening on Friday evening, after receiving $178,000 in funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.

Local MPP Ross Romano was at this grand opening to present Maker North with this funding.

Maker North specializes in additive advanced manufacturing, using new technology such as 3D printing and laser cutting to create a streamlined and more cost efficient process of manufacturing prototypes to help local entrepreneurs in their business endeavours.

“Maker North is a great innovative space for the Sault,” said Romano. “The digital economy is a growing industry around the world and is always a welcome addition to our local business community.”

Romano stressed the importance of NOHFC as a driver for economic development in this and future initiatives in Northern Ontario.

“I am proud to be able to present Maker North with this sizable contribution from NOHFC,” he said. “Our government’s desire to invest in Northern Ontario businesses not only opens the door for us to expand our economic potential in the region, but allows us to diversify our local job base in the Sault and prevent our youth from leaving home to find employment elsewhere.”

Co-founder Joseph Bertrand told SaultOnline he believes their business will create opportunities for local makers and entrepreneurs to make the most of their business ventures without having to leave the Sault. He said this funding will help them afford the technology and staffing needed to do so.

“This funding is also going to give the local entrepreneur and the local member, the person who walks through the door here, an experience that will allow them to be able to produce and create their own designs locally,” he explained. “That money will be used to keep people local, and be driven into the local economy.”

Bertrand said they’ve already seen quite a few local businesses come to them to have various items made, such as signs and key chains. He estimates that Maker North has been involved in approximately 30 assignments of various sizes since their inception two years ago.

This funding announcement comes days after Ontario’s new PC government introduced Bill 47, the Make Ontario Open for Business Act. If passed, Bill 47 would allow the process of investing and creating jobs to become easier for companies by reducing the red-tape burden and removing unnecessary regulations while implementing effective ones.

A new 3D printer business will soon be setting up shop in Sault Ste. Marie, established, owned and operated by local inventors who can design and produce ‘wow factor’ gadgets for adults and toys for children.

Many children, youth and adults were visibly impressed by Maker North’s technical skill and creative ability as they witnessed the company’s 3D printers in action and viewed their creations, on display at Station Mall over the weekend.

Maker North, established by Joe Bertrand, Mike Sacchetta and Helen Scott in 2016, is currently a homebased business, finalizing details of setting up shop in a visible, well-known Sault location, inventor Bertrand told SooToday (full details to be announced soon).

Maker North’s vision is to not only establish a site to manufacture and sell products the public wants, but also to open its doors to inventive minded people of all ages to come in, design, build and market their own creations, Bertrand said.

“We have a lease for a space and it’s going to have 3D printing, a lounge area with games which we’ve made, a wood shop for prototypes and design, and a theatre for education…people can come in and teach their trade in the maker space. It’s going to be a community hub,” Bertrand said.

“We absolutely have plans to hire (designers, especially youth)…it won’t be long.”

“We’re going to drive this from the bottom up for the good of the community,” Bertrand said.

One local inventor who has already benefitted from Maker North’s help is Gerry Richard, who invented the ‘Marbite,’ a household rack which holds towels with the help of a marble, not a hook (yes, really).

“It’s called the Marbite because it operates with a marble in it, and it ‘bites’ the wall. Potentially it eliminates the dangers of children getting injured by a hook. You can put in anywhere, in the hall or elsewhere, without getting a hook on the shoulder because there’s nothing sticking out,” Bertrand explained.

“We want to manufacture Marbite here instead of it being done in southern Ontario,” Bertrand said.

Marbite inventor Gerry Richard was on hand at Station Mall Saturday demonstrating Marbite to the public.

“As a group that works with labour market research, we thought it appropriate that we promote Maker North, a Sault-based tech manufacturing company that’s focusing on advanced manufacturing…it’s how the economy is now shifting, toward more robotics and 3D printing,” said Matt Lance, Algoma Workforce Investment Corporation (AWIC) office administrator.

AWIC, a community-based, non-profit corporation that addresses labour force development issues, shares a downtown office space with the Community Development Corporation.

“I’m most likely going to buy a Marbite. I think it’s awesome and it’s interesting to see how it’s capturing the attention of youth and adults because of how intricate and fascinating the designs are and how they’re made,” AWIC’s Lance said.

City Council will learn Monday about ongoing discussions that may bring three major new initiatives to the east end of Bay Street.

Mike Delfre, Kim Park and Richard Walker from the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre are expected to talk about the possibility of a private/public makers' space and a specialist program in aviation/aerospace for high school students coming to the bushplane museum.

They're also expected to discuss the possibility of the Entomica insectarium moving to the aviation museum by year's end.

The bushplane centre is one of seven outside agencies appearing before City Council on Monday in hopes of securing cash contributions in the 2018 municipal budget.

"Initially, our makers' space could include access to carpentry, welding, audiovisual and pottery equipment and facilities, along with 3D printing and laser-cutting technology," Delfre, the bushplane museum's executive director, says in a memorandum prepared earlier this month for his board of directors.

Also called hackerspaces or hackspaces, makers' spaces are do-it-yourself facilities designed for people to gather and learn and create.

The Sault's facility would be developed in conjunction with the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre and Maker North, a privately held manufacturer.

It would be located in the 93-year-old east hangar adjoining the museum.

Currently used for storage, the east hangar was the original home of the Ontario Provincial Air Service, which grew to become the world's largest noncommercial air service.

Along other things, the makers' space project is dependent on negotiations with Purvis Marine, which owns both hangars on the bushplane museum site.

Algoma District School Board is also interested in moving into the historic east hangar to establish a specialist high-skills major in aviation and aerospace.

Students would work there on aircraft restoration projects, similar to the White Pines Field School that's already on-site.

J.D. Aero, Springer Aerospace, Air Dale, White River Air Service and the Ontario government's aviation division have all offered to provide equipment, tools, parts, aircraft and wisdom to the project.

Subject to negotiations with the building owner, the new academic major could be offered in September 2018.

Delfre says Entomica has also approached the bushplane museum about moving its operation there from Mill Market.

"Entomica has asked to expedite the development of the partnership and their move to the [bushplane museum] to be completed by year end," he said.

Over the past two years, the museum has partnered with Entomica at the local science festival and at Bushplane Days.

SooToday's Darren Taylor reported this week that Entomica recently became a not-for-profit organization and is planning a fundraising dinner on Nov. 2 at the Grand Gardens.

Entomica spokesperson Michael Odom told Taylor that Entomica has held discussions about moving to a new location if necessary, but said that wouldn't be the insectarium’s first choice.

“If we came into a situation where we had the ability to expand, absolutely we’d be looking to do so,” Odom said.

Broke the tip off your vacuum? Can’t  nd that random little plastic knob for your vintage snowmobile?

Maybe you need a prosthetic limb?

Just send this new Sault Ste. Marie business a computer  le and they’ll be able to help you print just about anything you can imagine — and they have big plans to grow.

Local 3-D printing based business Maker North Inc. made its public debut at the Sault Ste. Marie Science Festival on April 29.

The startup company — which incorporated just two months ago — was out promoting their ‘all things maker’ service with a heavy focus on 3-D printed objects.

On display were 3-D printed gadgets, models, toys, a gaming console, and even hand prosthetics that can actually grip things.

Maker North co-owner Mike Sacchetta said the business can potentially replace a $90,000 upper arm prosthetic with a 3-D printed one using less than $20 in materials.

Right now Maker North is based out of the 1,000-square-foot home shop of the other co-owner, Joe Bertrand, but in the next six to 12 months they would like open a physical ‘makerspace’ location somewhere in the city.

The makerspace is planned to be open to the public with gym-like, different-tiered monthly memberships which give members access to 3-D printers and other creative tools like electronics kits, 3-D scanning, a laser cutter, and more.

Maker North does most of its printing with PLA (polylactic acid)  lament – typically, colourful biodegradable plastic material derived from plants like corn or sugarcane.

Most individuals and businesses that 3-D print order the  lament in long spools; however, in the coming months Maker North is going to be creating and spooling the material themselves from imported raw pellets.

If everything goes according to the company's  ve-year plan, Maker North will work with local farmers to source some kind of plant material — even farm plant-waste — to produce their own PLA pellets in the Sault.

Maker North predicts  lament sales will eventually be its largest source of revenue.

They plan to combine different colours for marble-like effects, and combine PLA with rubber and even wood filings to make very unique material to 3-D print with.

“Hopefully (Maker North) will be able to cut down the cost of everything. We’re going to be able to offer filament cheaper than Amazon.ca,” said Sacchetto.

For now, however, the business is focusing on simply printing objects for people.

Due to copyright issues, for the most part Maker North is simply taking user-submitted designs to print, although they are able to make some designs themselves on request.

Sacchetta said most people and designs with open source licenses freely online at sites likeThingiverse.com.

Customers simply have to download or create a stereolithography  le (.stl  e), send it to Maker North, and they will print it.

Maker North also has scanning tools to help people copy items; for example, one-of-a-kind objects or antique items.

Sacchetta said stories of 3-D printed guns in the media have created controversy around the technology — he had at least one person come up to him with concerns at the Science Carnival.

“People don’t realize that if you make a  rearm out of anything, the RCMP laws are the same. You can’t just hit ‘gun print’ on a computer,” Sacchetta said. “People that have actually done it have metal barrels and metal  ring pins; they can’t just use a 3D printer.”

“We have this great technology where you can do almost anything but is this sort of controversy going to be its downfall? Miseducated people are just spreading rumors and it might mean the government puts laws on these things.”

Sacchetta said that he sees part of the threat to 3-D printers is coming from corporations that make money off selling tiny plastic parts for high prices.

If a car’s air conditioner knob breaks, for example, people can now potentially make it for just a few dollars instead of anything from $60 to $200, said Sacchetta.

Another potential use for the technology is for visual artists who create drawings or designs on their home computer but don’t have the means to print.

Take a look at the new 3D printing business that just opened up in the Sault (12 photos) Apr 30, 2017 4:30 PM by: Jeff Klassen

Broke the tip off your vacuum?

Can’t find that random little plastic knob for your vintage snowmobile?

Maybe you need a prosthetic limb?

Just send this new Sault Ste. Marie business a computer file and they’ll be able to help you print just about anything you can imagine – and they have big plans to grow.

Local 3D printing based business Maker North Inc. made their public debut at the Sault Ste. Marie Science Festival on Saturday.

The startup company – who incorporated just two months ago - was out promoting their ‘all things maker’ service with a heavy focus on 3D printed objects.

On display were 3D printed gadgets, models, toys, a gaming console, and even hand prosthetics that can actually grip things.

Maker North co-owner Mike Sacchetta said the business can potentially replace a $90,000 upper arm prosthetic with a 3D printed one using less than $20 in materials.

Right now Maker North are based out of the 1000 square foot home shop of the other co-owner Joe Bertrand but in the next 6-12 months they would like open a physical ‘makerspace’ location somewhere in the city.

The makerspace is planned to be open to the public with gym-like, different-tiered monthly memberships which give members access to 3D printers and other creative tools like electronics kits, 3D scanning, a laser cutter, and more.

Maker North does most of its printing with PLA (polylactic acid) filament – typically, colourful biodegradable plastic material derived from plants like corn or sugarcane.

Most individuals and businesses that 3D print order the filament in long spools however, in the coming months Maker North is going to be creating and spooling the material themselves from imported raw pellets.

If everything goes according to the company's five-year plan, Maker North will work with local farmers to source some kind of plant material – even farm plant-waste – to produce their own PLA pellets in the Sault.

Maker North predicts filament sales will eventually be their largest source of revenue.

They plan to combine different colours for marble-like effects, and combine PLA with rubber and even wood filings to make very unique material to 3D print with.

“Hopefully (Maker North) will be able to cut down the cost of everything. We’re going to be able to offer filament cheaper than Amazon.ca,” said Sacchetto.

For now, however, the business is focusing on simply printing objects for people.

Due to copyright issues, for the most part Maker North is simply taking user submitted designs to print, although they are able to make some designs themselves on request.

Sacchetta said most people find designs with open source licenses freely online at sites like Thingiverse.com.

Customers simply have to download or create a stereolithography file (.stl fie), send it to Maker North, and they will print it.

Maker North also have scanning tools to help people copy items, for example, like one-of-a-kind objects or antique items.

Sacchetta said stories of 3D printed guns in the media have created controversy around the technology – he had at least one person come up to him with concerns at the Science Carnival.

“People don’t realize that if you make a firearm out of anything the RCMP laws are the same. You can't just hit ‘gun print’ on a computer, people that have actually done it have metal barrels, and metal firing pins, they can’t just use a 3D printer,” said Sacchetta. “We have this great technology where you can do almost anything but is this sort of controversy going to be its downfall? Miseducated people are just spreading rumors and it might mean the government puts laws on these things.”

Sacchetta said that he sees part of the threat to 3D printers is coming from corporations that make money off selling tiny plastic parts for high prices.

If a car air conditioner knob breaks, for example, people can now potentially make it for just a few dollars instead of anything from $60-$200 said Sacchetta.

Another potential use for the technology is for visual artists who create drawings or designs on their home computer but don’t have the means to print.

The Science Carnival was the last event of Sault Ste. Marie Science Week.

Among the presenters were Dispatch Talent from Toronto, Science North with their touring planetarium show ‘Under the Same Stars: Minwaadiziwin’, Entomica, Clean North, and more.