College of Architecture + Design
Labs

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Enhance Your Design Experience

Our commitment to integrating advanced technology is evident in our Unreal Engine-powered digital interactive experience for game designers and our facilities offering access to laser cutters, CNC routers, 6-axis robots and clay mill machines. Additionally, our print lab, equipped with 3D printers, allows students to bring their digital designs to life, while the material lab supports design experimentation.

buildLab

The buildLab provides students and faculty of the College of Architecture and Design with the expertise, training and equipment necessary to experiment with materials and execute creative work.

The buildLab offers the following dedicated spaces:

2600 sq ft shop space focused on the processing and assembly of wood and plastics; it includes both traditional wood shop and digital fabrication tools
250 sq ft Spray Room for the safe and proper application of paints, adhesives, and stains
630 sq ft Casting Room for the use of plaster, concrete, and hydrocal

» Hours

Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The buildLab will give priority to CoAD classes at the following times:

Tuesday and Thursday 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Wednesday 11 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Occupancy is limited 18 students.

» Contact Information

William Canning
Manager, CoAD buildLab
wcanning@ltu.edu
248.204.2831

» Resources

Laser cutting and etching services can be accessed in the CoAD buildLab. We have two CO₂ lasers capable of cutting or marking combustible materials like acrylic plastics, wood, paper, chipboard, and most natural materials up to 18 x 32 inches. Cutting is generally successful up to about 1/8” thickness, beyond which there may be an unwanted amount of extra burning. There are some exceptions to the materials that can be used; vinyl, PVC, or certain chemically treated materials must not be used due to the fumes that may result from burning. Please inquire at the buildLab if there is an uncommon material that you would like to work with.

Please review the setup guidelines listed on the laser cutting info sheets and carefully review your work. The lasers are available during buildLab open hours, and a staff member must complete and check files before accessing the laser cutters.

Laser Information Guide

Laser Template V1.5.3 dm

Laser template V1.5 dwt

The CoAD buildLab has a 3-axis CNC router with a 4’ x 8’ work table, 5” stroke, and can be fitted with bits having shank sizes .5”, .375”, .25”, and .125”. Its common applications include 2.5-axis profiling and drilling operations using plywood or other sheet materials, and also for 3-axis carving operations using foam up to 2 inches thick. When setting up work, there is a required margin of 2” between the edge of your cutting path and the edge of the material to allow for anchors to be safely attached. Please reach out to jevergree@ltu.edu to discuss project inquiries and schedule a time to use the machine.

Six 6-axis robots are located in and around the CoAD buildLab. Using parametric design software, the robots can be fitted with various end attachments and are primarily used to program complex movements between target points. Generally speaking, they are only accessible to students who are in or have taken one of our digital fabrication classes or participate in a University-sponsored robotics club.

Information Sheet

The Wenzel DesignTec DT Mill combines high-speed milling, precise surface quality, and the efficiency of overnight milling. It adeptly handles tasks traditionally associated with gantry mills while introducing a practical approach to hardboard machining and intricate material milling. Designed for versatility, the DT Mill excels in processing materials commonly used in car design studios, including soft foam for subconstruction, clay for form finding, and hard-board (PU-foam) and design-paste for crafting mockups for presentations. It seamlessly integrates these capabilities into a design workflow, making high-quality milling an accessible and integral part of a creative process.

materialLab

Located in the Architecture Building, CoAD’s material Lab holds a collection of material samples ranging from wall coverings, flooring, color, textiles, and beyond. Students are able to utilize this resource to gain a deeper understanding of industry applications and material properties.

printLab

The College of Architecture and Design’s printLab is a research and production space dedicated to the physical realization of digital media objects. Together with the buildLab, our mission is to bring students into a truly interactive relationship with the machine technologies used to plot surfaces, extrude sections, and tool solids. We offer hand-on training related to physical media output, including file formatting, color calibration, material qualities, machine setup, and hand-finishing techniques. The printLab provides students and faculty with an array of services, ranging from wide-format and three-dimensional printing and support studio spaces that facilitate trimming/assembly, screen printing, and bookmaking projects.