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====== EWS: Frequently Asked Questions ======

The following are questions we have received about the EWS.
If your question is not answered here, let us know and we will first answer your question and then add our answer here.

==== About the EWS ====

=== Where can I find information and learn more about the EWS? ===

You can pick up a small pamphlet about the EWS from the library or from the 1F admin office (ask the Education Affairs ladies who sit at the desks closest to the left entrance).  We also post public announcements in the "FIKA" MS Team.  When you become a member of the EWS you will be added to the EWS Team where you can receive more frequent announcements, ask any questions you like about the EWS, or request access to the EWS outside of normal operating hours.

The most detailed information about the EWS is available on our web site that you can access from inside or outside the campus at this address:
http://ews.kuas.ac.jp


=== Is the EWS accessible to students? ===

The EWS is open to all undergraduate students (from week one of the first semester) for personal or team-based project work, and to graduate students and members of the Engineering faculty for their own projects or to support their research work.


=== Do I have to set up an appointment to use the EWS? ===

No.  You can use the EWS freely whenever it is open.  The EWS is open often during class hours, and almost every evening from 16:00 to 20:00.  Outside of these times you can check informally in the EWS MS Team whether the EWS will be open at a specific time.

The EWS is operated by a small staff consisting of the director and several workshop supervisors who are undergraduate or graduate student volunteers.  For safety reasons a member of staff must be present whenever the EWS is in use.


=== Can I visit the EWS for a tour? ===

You can attend the safety seminar and EWS orientation which includes a tour of the facilities.  These seminars and orientation sessions are advertised to all students, e.g., on the FIKA MS Team.

You can also come to the EWS whenever it is open and ask a member of staff if they have time to show you around informally.

We also organise events where you can visit the EWS and get hands-on experience with the equipment and materials by building a small project.  Check the FIKA MS Team for announcements.


==== What you can do in the EWS ====

=== What can I do in the EWS? ===

You can join an event and get hands-on experience with building electronic devices.  Check the FIKA MS Team for event announcements.

You can work on any kind of project related to electronics or software.  The EWS has materials, equipment, test benches, and test equipment to support many kinds of hardware project.  We have Windows workstations to support CAD/CAE/CAM, circuit and PCB design, and circuit simulation.  A desktop Mac  supports XCode development.  We also have several servers running hypervisors (that you can use for your own services running in containers or under an entire operating systems in stalled on a dedicated virtual private servers) which support data collection and storage for distributed projects, or your own web-based application.

Your projects can be self-financed or you can apply for a flagstone or cornerstone project (see below).  You can also use the facilities to repair or maintain your own electronic equipment.  You can use our "library" of development boards (micro-controllers, FPGAs, etc.) for exploration and learning, perhaps in combination with our collection of sensors, displays, and actuators.


=== Can I study by observation or join a project to get some building experience? ===

You can become an EWS member (see below) without a specific project.  Once you are a member you will be added to the EWS MS Team.  There you can post a message explaining what you would like to learn by observing or by joining a project.  Someone working on a suitable project may invite you to observe or participate.


=== Can I use the EWS for my own purposes or projects? ===

Yes.  If you have your own materials and project idea you can use the EWS to work on your project.  Soldering equipment (and solder) can be used freely, as can test equipment such as power supplies, multi-meters, oscilloscopes, etc.


=== Is the EWS only for cornerstone projects or can I use it for any project or practical studies? ===

You can use it for any kind of practice or practical study.  For example, you can use the EWS for a personal project that you finance yourself (see previous question).

In addition to cornerstone projects you can also start a small-scale, single-person flagstone project.  Flagstone projects can receive a small amount of financial support (1000 yen or so) to purchase required materials from the EWS stock or from an online distributor.

You can also participate on one of our events and get hands-on experience with building electronic devices.  Check the FIKA MS Team for event announcements.


=== What are the requirements to start a cornerstone project? ===

Three things: a professor who agrees to supervise your project, a detailed written project proposal, and formal approval for your project.

You can approach any professor to be your supervisor, but they should be an expert in (or at least familiar with) the technology you wish to work with.  Your proposal should be a PowerPoint presentation of approximately ten pages that includes the following information:
project title and supervisor name,
the names of all the people on the project team (from one to ten people is reasonable)
what your project is going to make,
why it is an interesting project (practical skills, techniques, and principles that you will learn),
a detailed budget showing all the materials or equipment you will need to purchase (up to 10,000 yen per project member),
and a timetable showing how your project will progress, including a definitive finishing date.

When your supervisor is happy with your proposal, your supervisor will be present it to the whole faculty.  If there are no serious objections your project will be approved and you are expected to work on it according to your project plan.

When the project is complete you will be expected to submit a project report reflecting on your achievements.


=== Can all the EWS equipment be used freely? ===

Mostly, yes, but...

Before you can use any EWS equipment you need to attend a safety seminar and EWS orientation.  The times and locations of these seminars will be announced to all students.  At the EWS orientation you will be asked to sign an agreement to abide by the EWS safety regulations.  Once you have done that you can use the basic equipment in the EWS for your project work.

Basic equipment (including multi-meters, hand tools, workbenches, through-hole soldering equipment, computer equipment) can all be used freely.  More specialised equipment (including the PCB machine, surface-mount soldering equipment, the 3D printers, the CNC machine) can be used after appropriate training and qualification.


=== Are there any free materials in the EWS such as PCBs, Arduinos, cables, LEDs, etc? ===

We have many small prototyping boards for hand-wiring through-hole projects.  They are available for free in small quantities.  Wires and soldering consumables are also available for free.

A large stock of passive and active (analogue and digital) electronic components is available in the EWS.  These components are not free, but you can purchase them with your flagstone or cornerstone project budget.  You can also ask the workshop director for special permission to use cheap components and materials (resistors, some capacitors, LEDs, small proto-boards, etc.) without charge and in many cases permission will be granted.  (You must ask first though, with no exceptions.  Taking components or other materials from the stock without permission will be considered, and dealt with, as theft of University property.)

We have a large selection of development boards including Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, and Beagle Bone.  These can be borrowed (with permission) for experiments or learning and returned on an agreed date.  They can also be purchased using flagstone and cornerstone project budgets.

You can also participate on one of our events and get hands-on experience with building electronic devices.  The materials for these events are provided to you for free and you can keep the project that you build.  Check the FIKA MS Team for event announcements.


==== What you cannot do (without special permission) in the EWS ====

=== Are there any hazard restrictions, such as high voltages? ===

Safety always comes first.  Any kind of dangerous activity is strictly prohibited unless official permission is first obtained from the workshop director.  Projects that require frequent use of high voltages or currents may have to submit a written safety protocol and receive approval before they can begin.  The protocol should include protection for the team member(s) and for unrelated users of the EWS.  When such a protocol is required, strict adherence to it is expected at all times.


=== Are there any restrictions on loud sounds, such as electro-acoustic generators? ===

Loud sounds are potentially dangerous and are therefore prohibited without special permission.  When permission is granted precautions will be required such as warning all people in the room before loud sounds are produced.  The EWS is located next to the library and appropriate considerations will have to be made not to disturb library users.