Manufacturing Labs

Metrology is the study of measurement. In our metrology lab, you’ll learn to set up and operate a coordinate measuring machine or CMM – a precise measuring device capable of measuring parts within a quarter of a human hair. You’ll also operate a profilometer, a device that measures the roughness of a surface.

The material testing machine lets you determine certain properties of materials by testing for hardness, impact, tensile (pull apart), compression, and bending. The hardness testers will test the hardness of various metals. The Impact Tester will test how much energy a metal can absorb.

You’ll have the opportunity to operate two manual engine lathes, three manual milling machines, and manual lathes and mills to obtain surface roughness data. An injection molding machine allows you to inject molten plastic into a mold to produce a part.

The computer lab includes a wide variety of manufacturing software like MasterCam that lets you develop a toolpath for CNC machines from a CAD drawing. Insight is software to develop a toolpath for producing 3D printed parts. CALYPSO is software used for programming a coordinate measuring machine.

The CNC lab is equipped with four HAAS CNC milling machines, and robotic arms. You’ll learn to produce a pen holder in this lab. This project will start out with students developing a tool path from a solid CAD model using MasterCam. The part will be machined in the CNC lab.

This lab is often referred to as the 3D printing lab and includes four industrial Fused Deposition Modeling machines and one Stereolithography Modeler. These machines let you design and print models using many different polymers at multiple resolutions.

This lab houses four industry-grade Rapid Prototyping Machines (3D Printers). These machines operate by extruding layers of melted plastic until it builds up a solid part. You’ll learn the capabilities of these machines and actually have parts made for your projects in later courses such as the Mechanical Engineering Senior Design courses. Learn more >

This lab includes multiple welding processes including Robotic Arm Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding sometimes known as MIG welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding also known as TIG, Submerged Arc Welding, Ultrasonic Welding, or high-frequency welding and Virtual Welding. You’ll set up and operate each of these welders.

Metal casting is the process of producing a mold and pouring molten material into the mold until it solidifies. In this lab, you’ll make a sand mold and pour aluminum to create anvils and mugs.