We developed an access control system for dangerous equipment in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering’s planned maker spaces. The new building will house equipment requiring protection against unauthorized use, creating the need for a secure, trackable access solution.
Our team designed a swipe-based foundation system that restricts equipment operation to authorized users only. The system records user identity, usage timestamps, and equipment runtime duration. We created three core components: a digital log storing user information, a web interface for lab instructors to manage access permissions, and integrated hardware connecting machines to the database. Each user’s card contains their information and serves as the machine’s on/off control. When swiped, the machine verifies authorization through the digital log before enabling operation.
Lab instructors can activate or revoke individual access permissions for specific machines through the web interface, providing granular control over equipment access. This protects both equipment and users from misuse and danger while maintaining detailed usage records for facility management.
The final design integrates seamlessly with the existing university network, allowing for scalable deployment across multiple maker spaces with minimal system modification. We built the system as an expandable foundation that either our team or the client can develop further to accommodate additional equipment stations and features as the maker spaces grow.
