Engineering Machine Shop
Student Workshop

Location: G450 Seamans Center
Hours: M-F 8am to 4pm
Contact: ems-contacts@engineering.uiowa.edu

Student Shop

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
Drill Press
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
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
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 programed and operated by the shop staff and users that have received special training.
Allowed
= Allowed
Not Allowed
= Not Allowed
 
Part Design Guidelines
Allowed
Maximum part dimension of 48” x 48”
Allowed
2d File format dxf or dwg
Allowed
3d File format prt, step, or stl
Allowed
Files must be submitted in inches and scaled 1:1
Allowed
File names should include part name, material, thickness, and quantity.
 
Allowed
Sample-AL-0250-6pcs.dxf
Allowed
Sample-Wood-1000-2pcs.dxf
Not Allowed
Sample.dxf
   
Material Selection
Allowed
Aluminum
Allowed
Steel
Allowed
Copper or Brass Alloys
Allowed
Titanium
Allowed
Non Tempered Glass
Not Allowed
Tempered Glass
Allowed
Plastic, Rubber, or Foam
Allowed
Wood or Composites
Not Allowed
Tungsten Carbide
Not Allowed
Toxic Materials that contain lead, asbestos, or beryllium
   
HORIZONTAL BAND SAW  
Horizontal Bandsaw

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  
Verticle Bandsaw

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  
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  
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  
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  
Pedistal 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  
Belt-Disk 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