The Rapid Prototyping, Precision Machining, and Additive Manufacturing Laboratories provide prototype manufacturing capabilities in support of student design activities. Based in three separate spaces of the Towne Building, they are the largest of our instructional laboratories and provide students the equipment necessary to fabricate a wide range of mechanisms and devices.

1. The Precision Machining Laboratory (Towne 169) provides both conventional and computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining capabilities. Equipment available for use include, vertical milling machines, lathes, horizontal and vertical bandsaws, drill presses, grinders and belt sanders. A wide assortment of metal and plastics stock is also available for students for their projects. Access is controlled via a contactless card reader and made available to trained shop monitors & full time technical staff.
2. The Rapid Prototyping Laboratory (Towne 167) contains four Universal Laser PLS 4.75 laser systems that allow students the ability to cut various nonmetallic materials. This lab also contains Desktop 3D Printers (5^th Generation) which are available for students to fabricate complete parts for their projects
3. Additive Manufacturing Laboratory (Towne 187) provides advanced 3D printing capabilities in support of student design activities. It provides students access to the equipment necessary to create one off prototypes, as well as finished parts using advanced, production quality 3D printers.

This laboratory was established in 1988 with a grant from the General Motors Corporation. The lab is utilized to support various undergraduate lab courses and senior design projects. It currently contains 32 PC workstations with the most current software available for design, analysis and testing of electronic and mechanical systems. A complete selection of electronic test equipment is available for use including oscilloscopes, function generators, power supplies, multimeters, etc.

This lab is utilized to support various undergraduate lab courses. It provides an area for students to complete laboratory experiments utilizing various apparatus and data acquisition systems. Located above the GM lab, this space is used primarily for course-related experiments and student design projects. The room has approximately 1,400 square-feet of project space, and access is controlled via a contactless card reader (authorized students have 24-hour access).

This project laboratory is utilized to support large scale Senior Design projects and extracurricular student activities such as the Penn Electric Racing Team. Located at the East end of the Towne Building’s lower level, this 1700 square-foot, high-ceiling room is accessible through a set of double-doors with a contactless card reader.

This 700-square foot lab on the second floor of the Towne building is the latest addition to the MEAM labs (opened in January of 2009). The room is a collaborative design space, with CETS-managed PC stations lining three of the walls, a large whiteboard on one wall, and a high-resolution ceiling-mounted projector. The room’s access is controlled via a contactless card reader (authorized students have 24-hour access).

This laboratory serves as a high-end interdisciplinary computation and design space to serve a wide range of interests within both the educational and research environment. Opened in November of 2007 as part of our involvement in the GM-sponsored PACE program, this unique space is currently serving a number of different needs, from lab instruction to robotics experiments. The laboratory contains PCs running some of the most advanced computer-aided design, manufacturing, and simulation tools available. The room has approximately 700 square feet with one large exterior window. Access is controlled via a contactless card reader (authorized students have 24-hour access).

This project and testing laboratory supports students as they analyze their designs. The lab contains an Aerolab Open Circuit Wind Tunnel and an MTS Model 43 Tension/Compression Tester. Access to these devices allow students to compare theoretical models with their real designs.