Resources
Overview
During the prototyping phase, the need for various hardware components and materials will inevitably arise. Before submitting a purchase request to an external vendor, please check our on-campus resources. These can save you both time and money, which can catalyze your prototyping efforts, so they are well worth looking into. Read about them below.
ME Design Lab
The Resource Wall (back wall of the ME Design Lab) contains a variety of miscellaneous hardware including nuts, bolts, washers, and other commonly used items. Additionally, the lab maintains a selection of smaller fasteners (typically M3 to M5) and common small electrical components, which can be accessed with the assistance of a TA. The lab also has a few prototyping tools and stations for use such as a laser cutter, 3D printers, a foam/cardboard station, a gluing station, and an electrical station. For more specifics and tips on how the stations are often used check out their distinct page linked below, or look at the toolkit which is a list of all tools in the lab.
Scrap Material. Looking to save on costs? The ME basement (room B1002) has a large supply of scrap materials from past projects that are free to use. You’ll find wood, aluminum extrusion, sheet stock, metal, plastics, and a variety of other materials. Additionally, the Snap-On toolbox in the ME Design lab houses aluminum extrusion hardware including brackets and bolts, and smaller pieces of extrusion.
Design and Innovation (DI) Lab at Wendt
The DI Lab at Wendt offers a wide selection of tools and machines to fabricate parts. Commonly used equipment includes 3D printers and scanners, a CNC router, a water jet, and a laser cutter. For a complete list of machines and tools, consult DI Lab Equipment. Some of the equipment and tools require special training to use, so plan accordingly. A good place to start is the DI lab Training page.
Wendt Mini Mart. The Mini Mart at Wendt is full of various items for purchase using your senior design account. These include large sheet stock, electronics, fasteners, textiles, adhesives, and much more.
Design and Innovation (DI) Lab at ECB
The DI Lab maintains a broad inventory of nuts, bolts, washers, and raw stock materials that can be machined or turned down as needed. This resource is especially useful for custom fabrication tasks. Talk with student staff at the front desk to see what hardware or stock material is on hand and how to purchase.
ECB also has a large collection of tooling and equipment for fabrication of various materials. For a complete list of what ECB offers, consult DI Lab Equipment. Like the DI Lab at Wendt, training is required to use most of the machines, so plan accordingly. In order to complete the training for many machines you will need to take a short canvas course alongside a quiz and finish with an in-person lesson.
Fee-For-Service Fabrication – If you need something manufactured that is above your machining skill level, you may be able to use the Fee-For-Service Fabrication program offered by the DI lab. This service gives you access to skilled, full-time staff member who will manufacture parts for you. This service is not free (hence the name), so be sure that it is in your budget and approved by your faculty consultant and client. The Fee-For-Service program takes time, typically more than a week, so plan accordingly and do not expect your part to be done overnight.