Digital Fabrication Lab
The Digital Fabrication Lab (DFL) is a College of Design facility for the fabrication and assembly of prototypes and mock-ups, ranging from human scale to building scale.
The lab supports College of Design studios, electives, and research, by providing access to workspace, studio space, and training on machines. Additionally, the lab houses a small structures and materials characterization lab.
Coursework and research in this facility examine the transition between digital inputs and physical outputs using CNC equipment.
Space and Machinery
The main component of the DFL is a 13,000 ft2 high bay shop, containing both large and small format machines for working wood, metal, plastic, and concrete. This facility has a full-height loading dock, a half-height loading dock, and can receive deliveries off any size truck. Centered around the high bay are large format CNC machines:
- 2 - 3 axis CNC routers (4’x8’)
- 3 axis waterjet (5’x10’)
- 4 axis hotwire foam cutter (4’x4’x4’)
- An 8 - axis Kuka KR120 Robotic cell equipped with an 11hp milling spindle
- A 6 - axis Kuka KR20 Robotic cell with many bespoke end effectors for drawing, cutting foam, manipulating green sand and pick and place operations
- Large Format Vacuum forming machine for plastic
- 1 x 1-meter Hydraulic hot press for forming plastic sheets
- Concrete mixers
- Diamond wet saw for cutting masonry and concrete clock
- 8 – Microsoft Hololense for mixed reality fabricating
- Universal laser systems Laser Cutting machine
- Markforged Mark 2 3D printer for end use continuous carbon fiber reinforced prints
- Several FDM printers for various thermoplastics
- Pensa Labs DI Wire Pro CNC wire bender
A host of smaller manual equipment, for drilling, sanding, cutting, welding, etc., complement the automated equipment.