Opening in the fall of 2026, the Design and Innovation Studio will be located on the first floor of Stadler Hall.
The studio will house machine and wood shops, 3D printer stations, VF-2 CNC machine equipped with robot, lathe and milling machines, wind tunnel for fluids and aerodynamics studies, laser cutter, and MTS universal testing machine for product design, manufacturing and research, 24 multi-purpose workbenches for student’s experiential learning projects, senior design courses, industry partnerships and engagements.
VF-2
The VF-2 is used in aerospace, automotive, medical device manufacturing, in addition to general machining. The VF-2 in the design studio is equipped with additional features such as tool changer, programmable robot, wireless intuitive probing system, chip auger, and high-speed machining for advanced manufacturing. Its specifications include: (x-, y-, z-axis - 762 x 406 x 508 mm), 40 taper, 30 hp vector drive, 8100 rpm, direct-drive, 20-station carousel tool changer, 25.4 m/min rapids, power-failure detection module, 1 GB program memory, 15″ color LCD monitor, USB port, Ethernet, memory lock key switch, rigid tapping and 208-liter flood coolant.
South Bend Lathe
Lathe - SB1114F 13" x 30" EVS Lathe with Fagor DRO: The Gearhead Lathe is driven by a 5 HP motor with electronic variable speed to control spindle speeds between 100–3000 RPM. A factory-installed Fagor two-axis digital readout displays the positioning of the carriage and cross slide.
Wind Tunnel
Test Section Dimensions: 12”x12”x24” (30.5cm x 30.5cm x 61cm) • Airspeed Range: 10 mph (4.5 m/s) to 145 + mph (65 + m/s) • Turbulence Level: less than 0.2%. • 9.5:1 contraction ratio Static Pressure Ring • Access to test section static pressure for non-intrusive q/V measurements • Consists of four pressure ports – one on each wall just prior to test section entrance w/ manifold Test Section
