Equipment Reservation

Co-Works offers an eclectic mix of traditional and digital technologies co-located to enable interdisciplinary crossovers and experimental applications.

All RISD students, staff and faculty may make online reservations for Co-Works equipment on Penji after passing the corresponding authorization test.
See instructions below.

A new test is required each academic year.
See “Authorization Test Policies” below for details.

  • Instructions

    1. Have a passed authorization test on file. See “Authorization Test Policies” below.

    2. Sign into the Penji website or app using your RISD email.

    3. Select “Switch to Co-Works” to access equipment training and reservation.

    4. Refer to the equipment reservation guide if you need additional help.

    Don’t see Co-Works on your Penji account?
    * Often applies to staff and faculty *

    The system occasionally requires us to activate Co-Works scheduling manually on a Penji account. If you are unable to see the “Switch to Co-Works” button or schedule training:

    1. Submit your RISD email via this form.

    2. You will be added within 24 hours.

    3. Afterwards, follow the instructions above to make reservations.

    1. Come with files and materials prepared.

    2. Check in with a team member on duty before using equipment.

    3. Clean up after yourself and return tools to their proper locations.

    4. Pay any material fees you are charged. See “Payment Policies” below.

    • You must have a passed test on file to reserve most Co-Works equipment.

    • Authorization tests are required of all students, staff and faculty.

    • New tests are required each academic year but retraining is not. Visit the lab to renew tests and reservation access.

    • Tests are open note and given at the end of Co-Works training.

    • You may use your own notes but not another person’s or the internet.

    • You may take a test if trained elsewhere but some questions are specific to Co-Works.

    • Tests are graded within 3 days.

    • Once a passed result is uploaded to Penji, reservation access begins the next day.

    • See graded authorization test results.

    As an interdisciplinary program, testing allows Co-Works to better provide safe, consistent and sustainable access to more individuals across a wide range of experience, majors and skill levels, as well as significantly reduces break down that makes equipment inaccessible to everyone.

  • Please be aware that reservation demand, maintenance cycles and repairs, Co-Works course needs and other factors may affect equipment and training availability.

    If equipment is not visible to you on the Penji reservation system, either it is not available or you do not have a current passed authorization test on file.

    Co-Works Equipment Categories

    • 3D printing (FDM, SLA and ceramic) and scanning

    • Industrial sewing, machine knitting and digital embroidery

    • Laser cutting and CNC processes

    • UV printing, large format inkjet and hot foil paper transfer

    • Physical computing and electronics soldering

    • Vinyl cutting and pen plotting

    • Photo documentation backdrops and lighting kits

    • Biomaterials, carpet tufting, bookbinding and more!

    Refer to our Equipment List for specific models and specs of currently available technologies.

    Lab resources evolve every semester in direct response to student demand and suggestions are welcome! Please contact Co-Works Director David Kim at dkim20@risd.edu.

  • We work to minimize and eliminate fees whenever possible and view this is a matter of equity. If you are a student that needs support to afford materials, please reach out to our staff. Additional sources of support include the RISD Materials Fund.

  • Conduct

    • Unsupervised use of equipment is not allowed.

    • You are responsible for cleaning up after yourself.

    • Messy work must be done at designated workstations.

    • Properly worn masks are encouraged in the lab.

    • Discriminatory and disrespectful language or behavior will result in loss of access.

    Safety

    • Equipment safety rules are covered in training and must be followed.

    • Proper use of equipment, materials and safety gear is required.

    • No food or drink at equipment workstations or near computers.

    • All aerosols and fumes must be contained using the spray booth.

    • Blades, needles, etc. must be properly disposed of in sharps canisters.

    • Not adhering to policies or other unsafe behavior will result in loss of access.