Labs

Rapid Product Realization

The Rapid Product Realization laboratory provides studetns with real world experience in rapid manufacturing through design and production hardware and software. Students are able to design and produce products on full sized Haas CNC equipment and cutting edge software. Equipment includes:
  • Haas VF - 1 Vertical CNC Milling Machine
  • Haas SL - 10 CNC Lathe
  • Haas TM - 1 CNC Tool Room Milling Machine
  • Haas TL - 1 CNC Tool Room Lathe
  • Tooling for above
  • Grizzly Industrial Drill Press
  • Maxus Glass Peening Machine
  • Dayton Blade Welder
  • Impalla 60K Shop Press
  • Millermatic 212 Autoset MIG welding system
  • Kent Surface Grinder
  • Tensmith Shear and Break
  • Doall Horizontal and Vertical Band Saws
  • Small Metrology Equipment
  • Surface Plate
  • Milwakee Metal Cut-off Saw

Engineering Design

The Engineering Design Facility allows students to experience the latest technology available for the design and engineering of new products. Software like ProEngineer Wildfire 4.0, Solidworks, and AutoCAD enables student to virtually design and test new products for many instries in the Hickory area. Equipment includes:
  • 25 Dell Workstations
  • 25 LCD 24" monitors
  • HP DesignJet 4500mfp plotter
  • HP large format scanner
  • Dell laser printers
  • SolidWorks 2015 parametric modeling software (25 seats)
  • AutoCAD 2016 2D CAD software Suite (25 seats)
  • OneCNC software

Metrology & Rapid Prototyping Laboratory

The Metrology and Rapid Prototyping Laboratory allows students to have access to the latest measurment and prototyping equipment used in reverse engineering existing products. Rapid product realization is a reality through the Dimesion three-dimension rapid prototyping maching. Equipment includes:
  • Mitutoyo PH-A14 Optical Comparator
  • Z-Corp 3-D Printer (local community college)
  • Dimension 3D Fused Deposition Modeler
  • Alaris30 Polyjet 3-D Printer
  • Universal Laser Cutter
  • Metris 7-axis Laser Scanner
  • NEXT Engine Scanner
  • Instron Tensile Testing Machine
  • Qualtest Heat Defection Tester
  • Rockwell, Brinell, & Shore Hardness Tester
  • A&D Moisture Content Analyzer
  • Small metrology equipment and surface plates
  • Venz Melt-Flow Indexer
  • Gardner Impact Tester
  • Other associated test equipment

Distance Learning Facility

The Distance Learning classroom enables students to interact with colleagues in Cullowhee, Charlotte, Raleigh, Boone, or virtually anywhere in the world. Students will utilize two-way data, video, and voice over internet based systems. The facility will hold 80 students classroom style and high defination video is transmitted and received through a polycom system. This room has multiple LCD screens and LCD projectors to provide maximum viewing of local and remote sites.