College of Engineering Prototyping Lab

Bringing Ideas into Reality

The College of Engineering Prototyping Lab offers machining and 3D-printing services to bring almost any imaginable project from concept to completion.

The Prototyping Lab, also known as the Machine Shop, is staffed with a full-time, highly-skilled machinist to provide provide precision machining, specialized fabrications, fitting and assembly for prototypes and custom designed parts. We support research and innovation projects with one-of-a-kind services that typically cannot be performed in large scale machine shops.  

The 3D Printing Lab offers variety of additive manufacturing capabilities including Polyjet and FDM technologies.  Models can be printed in a wide range of mechanical properties, from flexible to rigid, as well as different colors.  The 3D Printing Lab is staffed with student lab technicians.

Services are available to University of Alaska students and faculty, governmental and non-profit organizations, and private corporations. 

Machining Services

Machining services are available for UA-sponsored research and student projects.  Services may be available to external organizations under an established service agreement or contract.  Fees are based on an hourly rate for machinist labor and equipment use.  Independent rental/use of machining equipment is not available.  Please contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation.

Machine Shop Location and Hours

  • Engineering and Computation Building (ECB) 103
  • Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Machinist hourly rate: $60/hour (UA-sponsored projects only)

Request Machine Shop Services

3D Printing

3D printing is available for students, faculty, staff, and community partners.  A student lab technician is available to provide consultation on materials and options.  

Cost is based on quantity of model and support materials used plus setup fee. The setup fee ranges between $2 - $20 depending on the complexity of the project.  An STL file is required for printing.  A quote will be provided prior to printing.

3D Printing Lab Location and Hours

  • Engineering and Computation Building (ECB) 103C
  • Hours by appointment only (submit request below)
Request 3D Printing Services3D Printing Rates

Available Equipment

Professional Machine Shop

  • Waterjet (Flow Mach 2)
  • CNC milling machine (HAAS TM-2 Toolroom) 
  • CNC lathe (HAAS TL-1 Toolroom)
  • Vertical knee mill (Lagun FTV-2F)
  • Manual bandsaw (Wellsaw 2HP 1016)
  • 25-ton hydraulic press
  • Sheet metal brake
  • Sheet metal shear
  • MIG and TIG welders

Student Machine Shop

  • Drill press
  • Lathe
  • CNC router

Wood Shop

  • Table saw
  • Router
  • Planer
  • Vertical bandsaw

3D Printing Lab

  • Stratasys Objet260 Connex 3 (Polyjet)
  • Stratasys F120 (FDM)
  • Makerbot Method X (FDM)
  • Stratasys uPrint (FDM)
  • Laser Engraver (Epilog Mini 24)
  • Injection Molding Machine

3D Printer Rates

  • Objet260 Connex 3
    • Material: Polyjet technology prints rigid or rubber-like materials
    • Color: options vary
    • Build size: 10 x 10 x 8 in

    Rates
    • Model material: $0.30/gram
    • Support material $0.15/gram
  • Stratasys F120
    • Material: FDM (ABS or ASA)
    • Color: black or ivory
    • Build size: 10 x 10 x 10 in

    Rates
    • Model material (ABS): $5/inch3
    • Model material (ASA): $4/inch3
    • Support material: $4/inch3
  • Makerbot Method X
    • Material: FDM (ABS, ASA, Carbon, or PLA Tough)
    • Color: options vary
    • Build size: 6.0 x 7.5 x 7.75 in

    Rates
    • Model material (ABS): $0.20/gram
    • Model material (ASA): $0.15/gram
    • Model material (Carbon): $0.30/gram
    • Model material (PLA): $0.15/gram
    • Support material: $0.30/gram

Courses

  • Freshmen through graduate
  • Mechanical Design I, II
  • Manufacturing Design
  • Solid Modeling
  • Geomatics Applications
  • Senior Design

Student Projects

  • Design competitions
  • Student societies
  • Developing project management skills
  • K-12 field trips and summer camps

Research

  • Prototype creation
  • In-house fabrication and manufacturing
  • Test specimen preparation
  • Federal, state, and private research projects

Community

  • Industry and health organizations
  • STEM teacher training
  • Summer Engineering Academies
  • FIRST Robotics Competition

Contact Information

Tim Kirk
Facilities Manager
College of Engineering 		tkirk5@alaska.edu
786-1981
Corbin Rowe
Machinist
College of Engineering 		dcrowe3@alaska.edu
786-1771
Will Lamb
3D Printing Lab Technician
College of Engineering 		wlamb3@alaska.edu