Prototyping and Fabrication Lab, aka "The Shop"
Have an idea? Come build it.
The Prototyping and Fabrication Lab — better known as “the Shop” — is where Northwestern students turn ideas into real, physical things.
From product prototypes to jewelry, furniture, formula race cars, and even rockets, students come here to design, build, experiment, and create.
Whether you’ve never touched a power tool or you’ve been machining for years, you’re welcome here.
Who Can Use the Shop?
- Primarily serves McCormick School of Engineering students
- Open to the entire Northwestern University student body
- All experience levels welcome
What Can You Make?
Students use the Shop to:
- Build prototypes for classes
- Experiment with materials and fabrication techniques
- Manufacture parts for competition vehicle teams and other engineering or design related student organizations
- Use CAD designs to produce parts with complex geometry
- Fabricate objects out of almost any material, including metal, wood, plastic, paper, and fabric
- And much more!
If you can imagine it, the Shop Professionals can help you figure out how to make it.
How to Get Started
All users must complete an introductory safety orientation before using the Shop. To start the process of shop training and access, please visit the Shop Canvas page and self-enroll.
Questions? Contact prototyping.lab@northwestern.edu and one of the Shop professionals or student trainers will get back to you within a day or two.
Meet the Shop Professionals
The Shop is staffed by experienced Shop Professionals and student leaders.
Not sure where to start? Just walk in and tell them what you’re trying to build, what tools you’ve used before, and what you want to learn. They’ll help you get started safely and confidently.
Shop Professionals
Equipment & Resources
The Shop includes:
- General hand tools
- Machine tools: manual mills and lathes
- CNC mills
- Waterjet cutter
- Woodworking equipment including CNC router, planer, jointer
- Laser cutters (note: cannot cut metal)
- Sheet metal and pipe bending equipment
- MIG and TIG welding equipment
- Precious metal fabrication, soldering and brazing tools
- Sewing machines
- Vacuum former
- Spray booth, sand blaster
- Foamcore/cardboard construction supplies
- Cricut paper and vinyl cutter
- Open assembly space
- Fabrication materials (primarily for class projects)
- CAD/CAM/CAE computing resources
- Metrology (precision measurement) equipment
Shop Hours
Full Shop Staffed by Professionals (all tools available)
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Shop Flex Space
Monday – Sunday
8 a.m. – Midnight
Location
Ford Motor Company Engineering Design Center
Room B.300
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