The Research and Development Shop
The Research and Development Shop, also known as the R&D Shop, is where our dedicated full-time staff design and manufacture custom components in support of student projects, faculty research, and community industry partnerships. Equipped to handle precision fabrication and complex builds, the R&D Shop bridges ideas and execution providing expert manufacturing support that advances innovation, research, and real-world impact. We are located in the Engineering Building Room 014.
What we can offer is the following but is not limited to:
- CNC Milling – Precision-machined components for prototypes, research, and low-volume production
- Manual Machining – Expert lathe and mill work for custom parts, repairs, and one-off solutions
- Precision Fabrication – Tight-tolerance components tailored to functional and performance requirements
- Design & Manufacturing Consultation – Collaborative support for design-for-manufacturing (DFM), material selection, and process optimization
- Rapid Prototyping Support – Fast turnaround for proof-of-concept and iterative development
- Custom Part Manufacturing – Made-to-spec components for research, testing, and specialized applications
The Student Shop
The Student Machine Shop, located in the Engineering Building Room 009, is a teaching-focused facility where students learn the fundamentals of manufacturing and gain hands-on experience producing parts they design. It is home to the Mechanical Engineering course MEC 225: Fundamentals of Machining Practices, which provides foundational training in machining processes and equipment.
After successfully completing EHS 029: Machine Shop Safety and MEC 225, students may reserve time in the Student Machine Shop to work independently on approved projects, including components for their Senior Design projects.
Inside The Student Machine Shop, we have:
- 10 Milling Machines
- 10 Lathes
- Gravity Saw
- and Much More!
The Fabrication Shop
The Fabrication Shop (Fab Shop), located in Engineering Room 006, supports advanced fabrication as an extension of both the Student Machine Shop and the Research & Development Shop. This facility is dedicated to sheet metal fabrication and welding, enabling the production of custom components for coursework, research, and sponsored projects.
Available equipment includes:
- Foot Shear
- Hydraulic Shear
- Electromagnetic Brake
- Hole Punch Stations
- CNC Plasma CAM Table
- MIG and TIG Welding Equipment