HVLP stands for “high volume, low pressure”, which means that this sprayer delivers a large amount of paint using very little air, which is generated by the onboard turbine. Functionally, this means that paint application is easy to control and overspray is minimized. Various types of paint can be run through this system but must be thinned to the proper viscosity. This includes automotive paints, alcohol-thinned lacquers, and even cheap latex house paint thinned with water.

TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding utilizes a tungsten electrode, inert gas, manually introduced filler rod, and electricity to create a high temperature arc that is extremely clean and precise. This method of welding requires a high degree of coordination and practice, and is well suited to exacting projects using aluminum, mild steel, or stainless steel.

MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding utilizes automatically introduced filler wire, inert gas, and electricity to create a high temperature arc capable of melting a wide range of metal thicknesses. This process is easy to learn the basics and is best suited to welding mild steel.

The plasma cutter allows for freehand or guided (using a jig or straight edge) cutting of various sheet metal types and thicknesses. Plasma is the combination of compressed air and a high-temperature electrical arc.

This tool is used in conjunction with the MIG and TIG welder to fixture loose project pieces securely to a flat surface, in the desired orientation, so that they can be welded together.

This CNC machine is capable of cutting through ¼” plate steel, and can be programmed to quickly and efficiently cut a variety of profiles through sheet metal.

This tool bends sheet metal, and as its name suggests, can be used to fold a 2D shape into a complex 3D object, such as a box or pan. It can process materials up to 72” wide and is capable of bending 14-gauge mild steel.

This tool quickly and easily cuts sheet metal to size. The shear can handle sheets up to 52” wide and can process up to 16-gauge mild steel.

This powered tool is used to form flat sheet, bar, or rod stock into curved profiles. This slip roll can handle 16-gauge mild steel and has a 50” width.

This tool is primarily used to cut linear tube, rod, bar, and angle stock to length.  It can also be used in the vertical orientation for sheet metal.

The drill press allows the user to bore holes of various diameters in a controlled and highly accurate way. Materials can be clamped securely to the table, and settings are provided for limiting the depth of plunge and the angle of the hole drilled.

This tool is designed for processing metals and uses an abrasive belt to shape workpieces and/or remove surface imperfections. The belt is less abrasive than the coarse grinding stones on the bench grinder.

This tool is designed for processing metals and uses coarse grinding stones to shape and abrade surfaces.

Laser engravers use amplified light to selectively burn a substrate in an extremely precise and controlled manner. These machines can interpret and process files from many popular design software and are able to mark, engrave, or completely cut various materials, such as wood, paper, some plastics, and natural fibers. OriginLabs has two Trotec Speedy 360 machines capable of processing 32” x 20” sheets of material.

This tool allows the user to print high-quality images for use as stickers, logos, posters, or heat transfers, depending on the type of media loaded into the machine.

The CNC (computer numerical control) mill is an automated cutting tool that can produce highly accurate parts in aluminum, plastics, and mild steel. An electric spindle spins a rotary cutting tool to remove material from a “blank”. The Tormach PCNC 440 is a 3-axis machine, has a fully enclosed working envelope of 10” x 6.25” x 10”, and includes an 8-position automatic tool changer.

The CNC (computer numerical control) lathe is an automated cutting tool that can produce highly accurate parts in aluminum, plastics, and mild steel. An electric spindle spins a “blank” of raw material, while a cutting tool is moved in the X and Z axes to remove material and create radial profiles. The Tormach 8L has a fully enclosed working envelope, an 8” maximum swing over bed, and 4” maximum swing over carriage.

The soldering station is used extensively in microelectronics applications for creating secure and electrically conductive connections between components.

SLA (Stereo Lithographic Apparatus) printing yields high resolution parts with impressive surface quality, very small hole and pin details, and high fidelity to the originating CAD model. These printers use a laser to cure a photo-sensitive plastic resin. Resins come in multiple formulations which allow for monochromatic prints in various colors, different durometers of flexibility, or other physical characteristics such as heat resistance, rigidity, or elasticity. The Formlabs Form3+ can print an object roughly 6” cubed, while the Form 3L can print objects the size of a bicycle helmet.

SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) printers use a laser beam to melt and fuse powder. This process yields robust parts with good surface finish and high fidelity to the originating CAD model. The Formlabs Fuse 1+ has a build volume of 6.5” x 6.5” x 11.8” and prints Nylon or TPU for end-use parts that are ductile and impact resistant.

SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) printers use a laser beam to melt and fuse powder. This process yields robust parts with good surface finish and high fidelity to the originating CAD model. The Xact Metal XM200G has an approximate build volume of 6” cubed and prints 316L stainless steel end-use parts.

Polyjet printers jet liquid resin droplets that are hardened by UV light. This jetting process mirrors a standard inkjet printer and likewise enables dynamic color mixing. The Stratasys J55 can print the full Pantone range and even full-color, realistic copies of 3D laser scanned objects.

Collaborative robots have several distinct advantages over industrial robots, especially in educational settings and small to medium sized manufacturing environments. They do not require knowledge of a complex programming language, are highly mobile, and do not require any safety interlocks such as laser/light curtains or enclosures. Like their industrial counterparts, these arms can be fitted with various end-affectors such as grippers, welders, sanders, and more. The Universal Robots UR10e units have a payload capacity of 10kg (22 lbs.) and a reach radius of about 51”.