Prototyping and Fabrication Lab
The role of the Segal Prototyping and Fabrication Lab is to provide an opportunity through design to move from theory to practice in a safe and supportive learning environment. The lab is available to students and faculty in support of their educational project work and is staffed by lab professionals and student lab leaders who are skilled in the equipment and processes necessary for the execution of project designs.
Equipment
The Segal Prototyping and Fabrication Lab has the following equipment:
- General hand tools
- CAD/CAM/CAE computing resources
- General machine shop equipment
- Laser cutters (cannot cut metal)
- CNC machine tools
- Open assembly space
- Fabrics
- Painting
- Welding
The list of specific equipment available in the lab is always changing, so the best resource to see what is available is to visit the shop yourself and meet with the shop staff.
Using the Lab
Users are required to take an introductory safety orientation in order to access the lab. Once completed, students are granted general access to the shop, basic hand tools and assembly areas, as well as wildcard access to be able to access open areas after hours.
To use equipment not covered during the safety orientation (mills, drill press, laser cutter…), equipment introductions must be completed before solo-use is permitted. All non-course based equipment introductions must be coordinated through the professional shop staff and may be scheduled by contacting the main lab email: prototyping.lab@northwestern.edu.
Equipment Introductions
Equipment introductions are available through a number of different courses, training modules, and one-on-one sessions.
To get an overview of some of the Ford Shop Equipment navigate to NUSTART
Courses
- DSGN 106: Design Thinking and Communication - Introduction covers general safety, mill, and lathe
- DSGN 345: CAM - Introduction covers advanced CNC milling
- ME 340-1: Manufacturing Processes - Introduction covers sheet metal and spot welding
- ME 340-2: Computer Integrated Manufacturing - Introduction covers advanced CNC milling
Location
The Segal Prototyping and Fabrication Lab is located in the Ford Motor Company Engineering Design Center B.300.