Engineering Machine Shop
Student Workshop
Location: G450 Seamans Center
Hours: M-F 8am to 4pm
Contact: ems-contacts@engineering.uiowa.edu
The Student Workshop is a space where students can take the theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom and apply it in a hands-on environment.
The shop contains an assortment of equipment and technology ranging from simple hand tools to a CNC controlled Waterjet. Access is available to all students and staff across every discipline and department.
The maximum occupancy for the student area is 24 students, this total includes 10 people using machinery, 10 people doing bench work and the remainder waiting for machinery.
Access
In order to use the Student Machine Shop, several steps must be taken to ensure your eligibility and to determine the necessary training required. Training consists of online videos, safety quizzes, machine specific hands on training, and competency assessments.
Equipment
Mill / Drill
Mill / Drill
Milling machines are one of the most common metal removing machines used in industry and machine shops today. They use a rotary cutter and an advancing or feeding the work piece across the cutter to remove material. They can be very precise and typically produce shapes and sizes with a tolerance of +/- 0.001”. Milling, boring, facing, drilling, and tapping are a few of the operations that can be performed.
| • Max Drill Ø | 0.5” |
| • Max End Mill Ø | 0.5” |
| • Spindle Speed | 2850 Rpm |
| • Table Size | 23.0” x 7.5” |
| • Max Traverse | 14.0” x 6.0” x 3.5” (X,Y,Z) |
Lathe
Lathes are another widely used machine in industry and machine shops. They remove material by rotating the work piece on its axis while feeding the tool across the part. Turning, sanding, facing, drilling, threading, and knurling are a few of the operations that can be performed.
| • Spindle Speed | 2000 Rpm |
| • Max Traverse | 14.0” x 6.0” (X,Z) |
Waterjet Cutting
The Engineering Machine Shop features an Omax 5 axis abrasive waterjet. This machine use pressurized water (50KPsi) and garnet abrasive to cut material up to 8” thick. The waterjet is programmed and operated by the shop staff and users that have received special training.
Part Design Guidelines
- Maximum part dimension of 48” x 48”
- 2d File format dxf or dwg
- 3d File format prt, step, or stl
- Files must be submitted in inches and scaled 1:1
- File names should include part name, material, thickness, and quantity.
- Good File Name - Sample-AL-0250-6pcs.dxf
- Good File Name - Sample-Wood-1000-2pcs.dxf
- Bad File Name - Sample.dxf
Material Selection |
||
| Allowed | Not Allowed | |
| YES | Aluminum | |
| YES | Steel | |
| YES | Copper or Brass Alloys | |
| YES | Titanium | |
| YES | Non Tempered Glass | |
| NO | Tempered Glass | |
| YES | Plastic, Rubber, or Foam | |
| YES | Wood or Composites | |
| NO | Tungsten Carbide | |
| NO | Toxic Materials that contain lead, asbestos, or beryllium | |
Horizontal Band Saw
The Horizontal Band saw is used to cut raw tube and bar stock to a desired length. This is often done to prepare the material for machining on the lathe or mill. It can cut a wide range of materials.
| • Max Round Ø @ 90deg | 10.0” |
| • Max Round Ø @ 45deg | 6.8” |
| • Max Square Tube @ 90deg | 8” x 10” |
| • Max Square Tube @ 45deg | 6” x 8” |
| • Mitering Range | 50 Degrees (Left / Right) |
Vertical Band Saw
The Vertical Bans saw is very versatile and can be used for a wide variety of operations. It is often used to cut curves, free hand cutting, or for cutting straight lines on pieces that do not have a straight edge.
| • Capacity | 8.0” |
| • Blade to Frame | 17.0” |
Chop Saw
The Chop saw, also known as a miter or drop saw, is used to make a quick, accurate crosscut in a work piece at a selected angle. It makes cuts by pulling a spinning circular saw blade down onto the work piece. The work piece is held against a fence that provides a cutting angle between the blade and the longest work piece edge.
| • Capacity | 3.5” x 13.5” |
| • Mitering range | 52 / 60 Degrees (Left / Right) |
| • Bevel Range | 47 Degrees (Left / Right) |
Abrasive Saw
The Abrasive saw, also known as a cut-off saw or chop saw, is a power tool which is typically used to cut hard materials, such as tools steels, dies, and shafts. The cutting action is performed by an abrasive disc, similar to a thin grinding wheel.
| • Round Ø Capacity | 5.0” |
| • Rectangular Capacity | 4.5” x 6.5” |
| • Blade Speed | 4000 Rpm |
Table Saw
The Table saw generally a woodworking tool that uses a circular saw blade that protrudes through the surface of a table. The material is moved through the blade while being supported by the table and guided by the fence. This saw is good for making straight and precise cuts. The depth of the cut is varied by moving the blade up and down and the angle of cut is controlled by adjusting the angle of blade.
| • Capacity | 4.0” |
| • Bevel Range | 45 Degrees |
Pedestal Grinders
The pedestal grinders are a larger version of a bench grinder that is mounted on a pedestal, which is bolted to the floor. These types of grinders are commonly used to hand grind cutting tools and perform other rough grinding, polishing, or deburring operations.
• Available Grits 60, 80, 2S-Fin
Disk & Belt Sander
This type of sander is used for removing metal burs and small amounts of material after saw-cutting operations. As well it can be used for making radii. The belt on this machine travels straight down into the table. This makes the machine safer to use for small parts. At the side of the machine is a disk sander that rotates clockwise. The disc can also be used for small part sanding.
• Belt Grit 120
• Disk Grit 120