The Cheryl and Robert Gross Engineering Design Center underwent a $1.25M renovation in 2017. Joint project funding was provided through donor and university sources. The 3850 square foot facility houses a machine shop, materials processing lab, a fabrication room, and design studio. The entire space was modernized with the goal to improve student learning experience and inspire and facilitate competitive design projects. Better functionality has been achieved by reorganizing the spaces into the three distinct areas defined above. Upgraded safety and security features include One Card ID access, eyewash station, permanent safety demarcation surrounding machines, and improved visibility with additional interior and exterior windows. Climate control was addressed by the addition of an HVAC system, ceiling fans, and insulation. Organization was improved with additional interior and exterior storage options.
The Machine Shop (Cheryl and Robert Gross Engineering Design Center 101) is used in support of the various design courses. The space is also used to support student design competition projects, sample preparation for various laboratory courses, and faculty research needs. The machine shop consists of a variety of machining equipment, including multiple CNC and manual milling machines, a CNC lathe, two EDM machining systems, a laser cutter, a Tensilkut milling machine, vertical and horizontal band saws, belt sanders, grinders, and sheet metal shear press. The machine shop also includes numerous tool boxes of hand tools. The machine shop is typically open during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm). Student access to the machine shop is granted only to students who have been sufficiently trained to operate any equipment and only when supervised by a technician.
The Design Studio (Cheryl and Robert Gross Engineering Design Center 100) is used primarily as a space for student teams working on design projects. The design studio space is equipped with moveable tables and chairs, tool boxes of hand tools, a glass writing surface, a large video monitor, and a storage locker with available personal protective equipment (PPE). The design studio is available to all mechanical engineering students 24/7, but with card access currently granted to student project team leaders.
The Materials Processing Laboratory (Cheryl and Robert Gross Engineering Design Center 105) is used primarily for teaching and research purposes involving heat treatments of metals. The laboratory consists of numerous materials processing equipment, including furnaces, ovens, Charpy impact tester, oil bath, salt bath, hydrogen furnace capable of reaching 2000°C, and a rolling mill. The materials processing laboratory is available to mechanical engineering students Monday through Friday during regular business hours, but student access is restricted to research assistants on an as needed basis.
The Fabrication Room (Cherly and Robert Gross Engineering Design Center 104) is used by student design teams that need to weld structures. The fabrication room is typically open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Student access is granted only to students who have been sufficiently trained to operate any equipment and only when supervised by a technician.
Equipment Located in the EDC:
Machine Shop (Cheryl and Robert Gross Engineering Design Center 101)
- Hass CNC mill
- Bridgeport CNC mill
- Jet milling machines (2)
- Sodick VL400Q electro discharge machining system
- Sodick AQ325L electro discharge machining system
- Hass CNC lathe
- Epilogue laser cutter
- DoAll vertical band saw
- Clausing horizontal saw
- Sheer sheet metal cutter
- Buehler abrasive cutter
- Wilton belt sander
- Palmgreen pedestal grinder
- Delta surface grinder
- MK 370EXP diamond tile saw
- Raise3D N2 Plus 3D printer
- Ultimaker 3 3D printer
- Various tool boxes with hand tools, cutting tools, and hardware
Design Studio (Cheryl and Robert Gross Engineering Design Center 100)
- Prusa i3 MK3 3D printer
- Various tool boxes with hand tools
Fabrication Room (Cheryl and Robert Gross Engineering Design Center 104)
- Lincoln Electric Weld-Pak 125 arc welder
- Lincoln Electric 255XT Power MIG welder
Materials Processing Laboratory (Cheryl and Robert Gross Engineering Design Center 105)
- Thelco Model 26 Muffle Furnace
- SpeedyMelt salt bath furnace with Honeywell UDC 2000
- Blue M MagniWhirl Oil bath furnace (on loan from the Naval Air Warfare Center in Patuxent River, MD)
- Thermolyne Oven, Sybron Model (on loan from the Naval Air Warfare Center in Patuxent River, MD)
- Sonntag Universal Impact Machine Model S1-1 (on loan from the Naval Air Warfare Center in Patuxent River, MD)
- Hydrogen Annealing Furnace Assembly, Model #T – 6x6W – 200 – VG
- Thermolyne Series 9000 Ovens (11, 2 are programmable)
- Thermolyne Model 30400 Furnaces (6)
- Stanat Rolling Mill Model: FX-200