THE L3 CNC SHOP IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO THE CLOSURE OF THE 2 WEST 13TH ST. BUILDING

THE E2 CNC SHOP WILL BE PROVIDING SUPPORT DURING THE CLOSURE.  CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.

General Info

The CNC/Machine Shop at 2 West 13th Street (see map) supports both digital and manual machining with various equipment such as multiple ShopBot mills and CNCs, as well as multiple manual vertical mills and machining lathes. With proper training and supervision, students can use this equipment to fabricate projects to high levels of precision out of foams, wood products, plastics, waxes and metals.

Model production in the CNC/Machine Shop

The CNC/Machine Shop also has a Casting and Epoxy Room (more info below) for plastic casting and rubber mold making, as well as a spray booth and airbrush room nearby. Students must use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and only work with materials from the Approved Materials List, unless given direct approval from the shop manager.

SAFETY ORIENTATIONS & CNC TUTORIALS

Before students can use the CNC Machine Shop, they must attend a mandatory safety orientation. Please note that this orientation is separate from the Wood or Metal Shop safety orientation. We’re including the safety orientation at the beginning of all CNC tutorials for the time being. If you only need access to the Casting Room, please check in with the Technician ahead of time if you have not had a previous orientation.

As well as our safety orientations, students must attend one of our hands-on tutorials and then complete a short assignment before they are cleared to use the CNC equipment in the CNC/Machine Shop (the CNC Shop in the 25 East 13th St. building has a drop off service for students who do not want to run their own files). Tutorials take place in the CNC Shop on the 3rd floor of the 2 W 13th St. building and last around 2 hours to complete, with the assignment after the tutorial taking around 1 to 2 hours to complete and must be completed within 2 weeks of doing the tutorial.

Click the “Mandatory Orientation Sign-Up” button at the top of the page to reserve a spot at one of the CNC Tutorials. Any other questions can be given in-person during the tutorial.

If faculty members plan on assigning CNC specific projects, please reach out to Nathan Carter to coordinate.

CASTING ROOM

In order to use the Casting Room, students must wear goggles, a tyvek suit and a respirator with appropriate cartridges. These items are all sold in the Making Center Material Store.

The following materials are approved for use in the Casting Room:

Bio Based Casting and Coating Epoxy
Entropy Resin SAP CCR

Two Part Epoxies
West System Epoxy
Z-Max

Casting Plastics
Smooth­-On 300 Series
Smooth-­On 320 Series

Casting and Mold Rubbers
Smooth-­On Dragon Skin
Smooth­-On Encapso K
Smooth­-On Mold Star
Smooth­-On OOMOO
Smooth-On Brush On

Casting Foams
Smooth­-On Flex Foam­-it
Smooth-­On Foam-­it

For safety reasons and precautions, no other products or materials are allowed without direct approval from the shop manager. Talk to the CNC/Machine Shop staff if you have any questions.