Fabrication Laboratory (FAB-LAB)
WELCOME TO FABRICATION LABORATORY (FABLAB)
Experimentation with materials, prototyping and testing, exploration of innovative fabrication processes is fundamental to the design culture at the FABLAB. In support of these targets the FABLAB aspects a broad variety of equipment, ranging from CNC Mill, CNC Lathe, Desk top CNC Mill, PCB Prototyping System, Benchtop Milling Machine, PCB milling machines, Vinyl Cutter, 3D Printer to Laser Systems for Engraving and Cutting.
The lab is structured as an open environment for material-based learning and research, using a wide range of materials from foam and wood, metal and plastics to composites and smart materials.
The administration of FABLAB is controlled and monitored by the Academic Services Unit (ASU) of the Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University specifically constituted under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor. The Management Council has considered and approved the recommendations in its meeting dated 30/08/2015 for establishment of ASU for modalities of FABLAB.
Equipments with description and specifications
CNC Mill(Model: Express XL, MicroKinetics, USA)
Description: A computer numerically controlled mill, or CNC Mill, makes precise or production parts with little intervention by the operator. Milling machines carve and drill into raw products to create shapes and nearly finished products. They can drill holes, add threads for bolts or make precise shapes out of any solid material. CNC Express offers the latest advances in technology to provide the highest performing CNC milling machine in its class. It is well proven, offers good size working envelope, runs on 115 or 230 VAC single phase power, has high speed machining and accommodates coolant, and spindle control. The custom made anti-backlash ball screws allow precision conventional and climb milling operations as well as accurate circular and contour cuts along any pair of axes without time consuming setups. The CNC part program can be typed directly into the editor screen, or can be generated via a CAD/CAM program.
Specifications: X-axis Travel: 28.00" (711 mm); Y-axis Travel: 12.00" (305 mm); Z-axis Travel: 4.75" (121 mm); Resolution: .00025" (.00635 mm); Column Type: Dovetail; Head Movement: Tilt 90 Degrees Left 90 Degrees Right; Spindle Taper: R-8; Spindle Speeds: Variable Speed 100 to 3200 RPM with included VFD. Torque selectable via gearing; Spindle Motor: 2 HP 115 VAC; Table Size: 9 3/8" × 39 1/2" (238 mm X 1003 mm); Net weight: 1000 lbs. / 454 kg.; Gross weight 1115 lbs. / 506 kg.
CNC Lathe (Model:1340, MicroKinetics, USA)
Description: It has unprecedented value in prototyping, tool making, tensile test parts sampling, and small to medium production. The featuring automatic wizards for threading, roughing of tapers and arcs, and feeds and speeds selections for a variety of common materials. The VFD option allows constant surface speeds for great surface finish. With the availability of Automatic tool post and turret support, these lathes can have the capability of much more expensive production CNC lathes.
Specifications: Swing Over Bed:13"; Swing Over Gap:18 3/4 "; Length of Gap:7 7/8"; Swing Over Cross-Slide:8"; Swing Over Compound: 3"; Distance Between Centers: 40 "; Carriage Travel: 35 1/4"; Cross-Slide Travel: 6 7/8 "; Compound Travel: 2 5/8"; Tailstock Spindle Travel: 3 3/4 "; Tailstock Taper: 3 MT; Spindle Nose Mounting: D1-4; Spindle Bore Diameter: 1 3/8"; Spindle Taper: 5 MT; Spindle Taper with Sleeve: 3 MT; Spindle Speeds (Number) Range: (8) 70 – 2000; Motor & Electrics: 2 HP, 220V, single phase; Machine Net Weight: 1200 lbs; Machine Gross Weight: 1300 lbs; Controller Gross Weight: 200 lbs; Machine Dimensions W/O Stand: 30"H x 33"W x 73"L; Floor Space Required - Max.: 36"W x 73"L.
Desktop Mill (Model:1812, MicroKinetics, USA)
Description: The ever-increasing demand for high quality product design places real pressure on designers to visualise their concepts quickly, accurately and above all cost-effectively. A piece of material (metal, plastic, etc) is fastened to a bed and a cutting tool is used to shape it to the desired product. With computer control, the cutting tool and the part itself are maneuvered to achieve the desired cuts. In it's most simple form, a CNC milling machine can remove material in 3 translational axes of motion (X, Y, an Z). To enable the manufacturing of more complex parts, additional rotational axes of motion can be incorporated.
Specifications: X-axis Travel: 9.00"; Y-axis Travel: 3.00" or 5.00"; Z-axis Travel: 6.50"; Resolution: .0001"; Backlash: .003" Max.; Hole thru Spindle: 0.405"; Spindle Nose Thread: 3/4"-16 TPI; Spindle Taper: #1 Morse; Spindle Speed Range: 75-2800 RPM; Spindle Motor: 1/2 HP DC; Table Size: 2.75× 13".
PCB Prototyping System (Model: SuperScribe, MicroKinetics, USA)
Description: The SuperScribe Circuit Board Prototyping System is a complete, desktop circuit board prototyping system capable of producing single and double-sided boards using standard Gerber, Excellon, and HPGL data. The system's high resolution and repeatability allows quick, precise prototyping of high density and surface mount circuit boards. The SuperScribe system features a variable speed collet spindle, which accepts widely available standard 1/8” diameter cutters and drills. The software controlled, stepper motor actuated Z-axis provides precision depth and feed-rate control for hands-off multiple pass milling, routing and engraving. It has more rigidity than competing systems through the use of 3/4" thick, high precision base plate and dual, high accuracy ball bearing components. The SuperScribe Circuit Board Prototyping System eliminates set screw tool holding by using a collet system, has fully controllable Z axis and excellent alignability and stability.
Specifications: Board Work Area: XL:18" x 12" or standard 9"x12"; Resolution: .00025"; Repeatability: .00025"; Minimum Trace Width: .004"; Minimum Engraving Width: .006"; Smallest Drill Hole Size: .013"; Largest Drill Hole Size: Unlimited; Max Material Width: 12"; Max Material Length: Unlimited; Max Material Thickness: 1.5"; Spindle Speed: 0-25,000 RPM; Spindle Type: Bottom Loading 1/8" Collet; Tool Size: .125" Diameter 1.5" Length; Milling Speed: 0.15 - 1.25" IPS; Actuation: Stepper Motors / .100 Lead Screws; Machine Dimensions: 26"(L) 18"(W) 15"(H); Construction: Machined Aluminum.
Benchtop Milling Machine (Model: MDX 540, Roland, USA)
Description: Rapid prototyping and manufacturing technology, which creates accurate prototypes for complex snap-fits and produces functional prototypes for, proof of concept and manufacturability testing. It achieves smooth surface finish across a wide range of materials. It has 400W DC Brushless motor with increased torque for fast, accurate prototypes and includes user-friendly CAM Software, handheld controller and virtual control panel simplifies setup. It produces prototypes out of a wider variety of non-proprietary materials with greater precision and better surface finish.
Specifications: Usable Materials: Plastic, resin, wood and non-ferrous metals; XYZ-Axis Travel: 19.6(X) x 15.7(Y) x 6.1"(Z)[500 (X) x 400 (Y) x 155 mm (Z)]; Loadable workpiece size with optional rotary axis (ZCL-540): 7.0” Diameter x 14.6” Length [177.8mm Diameter x 370.8mm Length] Actual milling area is smaller; Distance From Spindle Nose to Table: Maximum 10" (254mm); Table Size: 21.7(W) x 16.5"(D) [550(W) x 420mm (D)]; XYZ-axis drive system: AC servo motor, 60W; Operating speed: Maximum 295ipm (7.5m/min); Acceleration: 0.2G, 0.1G, 0.05G; Tool chuck: Collet method, maximum tool diameter: 0.4" (10mm); Control command sets: RML-1 and NC codes.
PCB milling machines (Model: LaboFlex 60 Pro, Colinbus, Europe)
Description: This is a true in-house prototyping machine, which can be used to produce not only PCBs but also entire devices. This makes it an ideal machine for every design and development department. The Colinbus LaboFlex enables one to produce precise components, 3D models and PCBs, all with the same machine, so one can build a complete prototype without the aid of outside sources. It can produce precise PCBs as well as full-fledged 3D models. With its incredible resolution of 0.23 µm, high working speed and spindle with micron-level accuracy.
Specifications: Working area (X/Y/Z): 400mm x 600mm x 70mm; Clamping area (X/Y): 540mm x 770mm; Resolution: 0,23 µm; Repeatability: 1 µm; Drilling speed: 120 strokes/min; X/Y drives: Hybrid motors; Z drive: Hybrid motor; Spindle motor: 60,000 rpm, software-controlled; Machine table: Flat-milled T-slot table; Tool holder: 1/8" standard; others available as options; Engraving head: With micron-level depth adjustment; Dimensions (W x D x H): 560mm x 825mm x 390mm.
3D Printer(Model: Dimension Elite, Stratasys, USA)
Description: The Dimension Elite 3D Printer features the finest resolution of any Stratasys Design Series Performance 3D Printer. Driven by Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology, it prints in nine colors of real ABSplus thermoplastic. Print functional, durable 3D models of most intricate product designs with the Dimension Elite 3D Printer. The Dimension Elite is ideal for printing 3D product mockups and functional models of parts such as medical devices, mobile electronics and precision instruments.
Specifications: Model material: ABSplus in ivory, white, black, red, olive green, nectarine, fluorescent yellow, blue or gray; Support material: Soluble Support Technology (SST); Build size: 203 x 203 x 305 mm (8 x 8 x 12 in); Layer thickness: .178 mm (.007 in) or .254 mm (.010 in) of precisely deposited ABSplus model and support material; Size and weight: 686 x 914 x 1041 mm (27 x 36 x 41 in) 136kg (300 lbs); Power requirements: 110–120 VAC, 60 Hz, minimum 15A dedicated circuit; or 220–240 VAC 50/60 Hz, minimum 7A dedicated circuit; Regulatory compliance: CE/ETL.
Laser Systems for Engraving and Cutting (Model: Legend 36EXT, Epilog Laser, USA)
Description: For large engraving jobs, Epilog's top-of-the-line Legend 36EXT provides with the tools that needed. The robust construction of the EXT combined with the 36" x 24" (914 x 609 mm) work area, provides one with an oversized work area to meet ones needs on any project. It has features of top-of-the-line CO2 laser systems and is utilized by customers for the highest-quality engraving and cutting of wood, acrylics, plastics, stone, etc. It is applicable for award engraving, wood engraving, glass etching, signage cutting and engraving, barcode laser etching, UID laser marking, personal electronics engraving, gunstock engraving and checkering, laptop engraving, entrepreneurs, fabric engraving, fabric and applique cutting, laser marking plastics.
Specifications: Engraving Area: 36" x 24" (914 x 610 mm); Maximum Material Thickness: 12" (305 mm); Maximum Material Thickness with Table Revmoved: 14" (355 mm); Laser Wattage: 30, 40, 50, 60, 75 or 120 watts; Laser Source: State-of-the-art, digitally controlled, air-cooled CO2 laser tubes are fully modular, permanently aligned and field replaceable; Intelligent Memory Buffer Store unlimited files up to 64MB. Rolling buffer allows files of any size to be engraved; Size (W x D x H): 50.5" x 33" x 42" (1283 x 838 x 1067 mm) - (120 watt: 36"/914 mm deep); Weight: 440 lbs (199 kg); Laser System Classification: Class 2 Laser Product - 1 mW CW Maximum 600-700 nm.
Vinyl Cutter (Model: CAMM-1 PRO, Roland, USA)
Description: Roland vinyl cutters produce crisp, eye-catching graphics with speed and precision. Applications include vehicle graphics, signs, decals, labels, stencils, pin striping, and paint protection film and logos. Vehicle graphics, window tint, signage, stencils and even pin striping come out looking crisp and clean. But that’s just the beginning! Its ability to contour cut pre-printed graphics lets you create professional vehicle wraps and even heat transfers for garments.
Specifications: 30”, 40” and 50” widths; Roland Cut Studio software; Quadralign crop mark registration; Materials: Vinyl, paint mask, reflective vinyl, twill, heat transfer, and sandblas. Cutting material up to 33 inches per second for maximum productivity; Mechanical resolution of 0.0005” guarantees precision results; Max down force of 350 grams for top performance with the thickest materials; Accepts a wide range of materials from sandblast to window film; Optical registration system facilitates accurate contour cutting.