Engineering Projects Lab (EPL)
The largest lab, the EPL measures 5,800 square feet and consists of six separate areas: computerized metal working, sheet metal, metal cutting, fabrication, welding, automobile component analysis.
The computerized metal working facility includes state-of-the-art Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Machining (CAD/CAM) software stations, a computer numeric controlled (CNC) plasma cutting table, and two Haas CNC milling and turning centers.
The sheet metal area provides an English wheel for sheet metal forming, blandishing hammers, slip rolls, sheet metal brakes, and metal shears.
The metal cutting equipment area offers manual engine lathes, Bridgeport Series 1 mills, band saws, drill presses, and grinders, including a precision surface grinder.
The fabrication area contains a variety of wood and metalworking power and hand tools, presses, vises, and workbenches. There is a separate area for senior project assembly.
The welding section includes standard and square wave welding equipment such as metal inert gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (MIG) welders.
The automobile component analysis area contains three flow benches, porting tools, volumetric measurement equipment, a Cam Doctor cam timing analyzer, a valve grinder, and a shock absorber dynamometer.
An important area for applied learning, the EPL is used for classroom demonstrations, lab assignments, senior projects, and as a fabrication area for large, interdisciplinary design projects. Students learn to operate and program both manual and CNC tools and equipment in an environment that emphasizes safety.
