Facilities
W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation
Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing
A wide range of Additive Manufacturing (AM) and rapid prototyping systems are available for research, product development, and direct manufacturing. This includes Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) systems, Directed Energy Deposition (DED), Material Extrusion (MEX), also known as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) systems, Vat Photopolymerization (VPP) systems, Electron Beam Melting (EBM) systems, Stereolithography (SL) equipment, and Binder Jetting.
Materials Characterization
The W. M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation has access to materials characterization equipment, such as a field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM), an XCT (X-Ray Computed Tomography), optical digital imaging systems. Thermomechanical testing systems like DHR2, TGA 55, DMA, and TMA Q400. OHN Analyzer, Camsizer, and tools for microstructure analysis. Chemistry lab equipped for sample preparation, including grinding, polishing, mounting, cutting, and etching.
CNC Machining and Tooling
The W. M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation contains machining equipment, including 3-axis Haas mill, a CNC lathe with live tooling, a wire EDM, a HEM saw, a vacuum casting system, a pressure injection chamber, a dynamic mixing gun, and access to a standard machine shop with mills, lathes, drill presses, band saws, etc.
Reverse Engineering and Methology
Equipment and instruments are available for reverse engineering, imaging, general inspection and metrology including: a coordinate measuring machine (CMM), multiple non-contact structured blue-light scanners, a FARO Arm, Renishaw CMM plus scanner, metrology-grade Zeiss scanners, a Keyence measurement system, and a surface roughness tester.
Materials Testing
The materials testing equipment available at the W. M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation includes a variety of tensile testing systems such as MTS and Zwick (electromechanical), fatigue testing systems including MTS (traditional) and Shimadsu (ultrasonic), a QNESS microhardness tester, two servo-hydraulics systems, and a dynamic mechanical analyzer.
Custom Machine Solutions
The center has the ability to design of complex hybrid systems. From completely new systems to implementation of Additive Manufacturing technology into existing systems. Development of customized systems for specialized print capabilities with sensor integration. Full solutions that can include design, software, fabrication, novel material development, and process parameter optimization.
Additive Manufacturing Training Space
Specialized classroom for Additive Manufacturing education for all levels with specialized equipment and resources. Existing and custom lesson development for students, DoD members, and industry at large.
Instructional
Lockheed Martin Corporation Mechanical Engineering Lab
This next generation learning facility provides students exceptional practice opportunities for learning the engineering of complex systems. The facility and its unique inspirational ambience houses a range of equipment from jet engine to wind turbine to train and inspire tomorrow's engineers.
Engineering Design Studio 2
This facility is an ideation space tailored to encourage creativity and efficiency through informality and collaboration. It features ergonomic seating, comfortable ambient lighting, large flat panel displays, projection screens, and abundant access to CAD and other engineering software. The facility is furnished with workstations to facilitate assembly and integration of manufactured parts and components. The facility is equipped with 3D printers and other Rapid Prototyping units. The facility houses a manufacturing unit equipped with state-of the art CNC and conventional machines and tooling.
NASA Aerospace Education Laboratory
A unique K-12 education themed laboratory designed to provide a convergence of K-12 and undergraduate engineering education. The laboratory is equipped with aircraft design and operation workstation along with wind tunnel, flight simulator, and microgravity drop tower to inspire and engage tomorrow's engineering students.
Intelligent Systems Laboratory
This facility provides state of the art mechatronic equipment and parts allowing students to study problems related to the design, construction and operation of autonomous equipment. Students design and assemble mobile vehicles and other equipment using components available in the laboratory. Vehicles often use sensors such as GPS, Inertial Measurement Units (IMU), Electronic Compass, wireless communications on a single board computer running C. Students learn to integrate traditional feedback control; state machine logic and simple intelligence algorithms to demonstrate intelligent like devices.