Equipment
Equipment access policy
We utilize a safety control banding approach to equipment access, grouping equipment by relative risk level. Each level of access is paired with appropriate instruction using hands-on training and online tutorials. Levels 1+2 provide access to the Prototyping and Assembly Lab. Levels 3+4 provide access to a range of equipment in the Fabrication Lab. Certain equipment, such as CNC machining centers and the waterjet cutter are operated only by trained staff. The levels of access are not necessarily linear; users are encouraged to seek the training that is most relevant to them. For example, one can acquire access to Level 1 and Level 3 tools, without completing training on Level 2 tools. To view your active certifications, login to the member portal, navigate to your user profile, and select Memberships.
Access Level |
Equipment Example |
Risk Level |
Training Certification Required |
Operated By |
1 |
Hand tools, limited battery operated power tools |
Low |
No |
Member |
2 |
Prototyping equipment (laser cutters, vacuum former, etc. |
Moderate |
Yes |
Member |
3 |
Industrial woodworking and metal working equipment |
High |
Yes |
Member with staff supervision |
4 |
Industrial CNC equipment (CNC router, waterjet, etc.) |
High |
Yes |
Staff Only |
Equipment access levels
All members of the UC community that consent to our usage policy are granted access to the prototyping lab and are permitted to use level 1 equipment including CAD computer workstations, large format inkjet printers, vinyl cutter, desktop 3d printers, electronics workstations, hand tools, and limited battery powered tools.
Procedural training is required to gain access to more advanced level 2 prototyping equipment, such as Epilog laser cutters, Artec Eva 3d scanner, and Formech vacuum former.
Industrial woodshop and metal shop tools require hands-on safety training before use. Woodshop tools include table saw, jointer, planer, band saw, miter saw, drill press, lathe, track saw, domino joiner, and production sander. Metal shop tools include cold saw, metal cutting band saw, grinders, MIG and TIG welders, plasma cutter, drill press, manual mill, manual lathe, iron worker, slip roller, shear, brake, hydraulic bender, and sand blaster.
Includes access to industrial CNC equipment, including CNC router, water jet cutter, CNC mills, and CNC lathe. Operation of CNC equipment is only performed by dedicated members of the Ground Floor staff.
- Files to be processed using these pieces of equipment must be submitted and reviewed by staff before being scheduled. All machining projects require a project consultation prior to production.
- We regularly machine metals, wood, plastics, and composites. Materials that present health and safety hazards may not be appropriate for processing at the Ground Floor. Please discuss material selection with our staff during your consultation.
PROTOTYPING
The prototyping lab offers access to laser cutting; low-cost, basic FDM 3d printing; SLA 3d printing; solvent-based archival quality graphics printing; vinyl cutting, sewing with garment weight and industrial straight stitch machines, and basic electronics workstations.
Prototyping Equipment List
Laser cutters
Use to cut or engrave a variety of material
3D Printers
Use to rapidly prototype parts and models in PLA.
3D Scanners
Use to scan real world objects into 3D mesh models
Vinyl Cutter
Use cutting vinyl for decals, lettering, stickers
Large Format Printer
Use for large format outputs of various materials
Sewing Machines
Use for joining leather, heavy fabrics. Heavy duty.
Electronics Bench
Use for test and working on all things eletronic
Spray Booth
Use for applying paint, and any airbourne materials
Computer Stations
Use for designing, concepting and controlling machines
FABRICATION
The fabrication lab offers members access to fully stocked wood and metal shops, as well as manual and CNC machining in wood, plastics, and metals. Hand and power tools are available for use in the Ground Floor only.
Fabrication Equipment List
CNC: mills, router and lathe
Use to accurately perform various types of CNC operations on metal.
Materials: soft plastics, hard plastics, soft metals, hard metals
Waterjet
Use to 2D cut a large variety of materials.
Materials: Cutting, 2 Axix contour, soft plastics, hard plastics, soft metals, hard metals
TIG/MIG Welders
Use to join various metal
Materials: soft metals, hard metals
Plasma cutter
Use to join various metal
Materials: soft metals, hard metals
Drill press
Use for drilling holes in various types of woods
Materials: soft plastics, hard plastics, soft metals, hard metals
Metal shear and brake
Use for cutting and folding sheet metal
Cold Saw
Use to cut down metal into stock. Capable of beveling and swiveling.
Materials: soft metals, hard metals
Wood lathe
Use to turn various types of woods into cylindrical shapes
Materials: soft wood, hard wood
Jointer & Planer
Use for facing or edging various types of woods
Materials: soft wood, hard wood
Saws: miter, band and table
Use for rip cuts with wood or cut out shapes
Materials: soft plastics, hard plastics, soft wood, hard wood