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Home>School of Physics, Engineering and Technology>About us>Facilities>Engineering facilities>EMF lab tour

This tour shows a range of equipment and facilities available in one of our modern, dedicated laboratories.

The interactive version allows you to walk through the lab and get a 360° view of the facilities.

EMF 360 showreel not suitable for assistive technologies

Introduction

The EMF lab contains a range of specialist material forming machinery, including:

Workbenches

Students use the hexagonal benches for their group projects.

There are half-a-dozen or so bright green workbenches around the main lab

Vertical storage carousels

There are several large vertical storage carousels in the lab. These are used to store all the lab tools and devices.

One of two large vertical storage units around the main lab

One of two large vertical storage units around the main lab

Box and pan folders

The box and pan folder machines apply pressure to bend metal sheets to create structural profiles.

Two floor mounted metal forming machines for bending and cutting

Laser cutter

The laser cutter can make precise cuts to prepare thin metal sheets and polymers.

Laser cutter unit with separate, computer control console

Thermoforming

The thermoforming centre is used for plastic forming, casting and joining.

Thermoforming machine

Table vices

There are traditional table vices on many workbenches, used for manual mechanical operations, such as drilling and grinding.

Traditional hand operated workbench vices: keep your fingers out

Computer-assisted design (CAD) lab

Students use the CAD lab for structural design and computer-assisted manufacturing (CAM) simulations.

Exterior of CAD lab, small separate room in the EMF lab

Interior fo the CAC lab showing desktop computers and printer 

Bandfacer

The bandfacer is for general finishing tasks on metals.

Stuck in the corner of the lab

Non-metallic bandsaw

This bandsaw is used for cutting processes on non-metallic parts such as wood and polymers.

One of several bandsaws in the lab, this one reserved for non-metallic materials

Alternative view of bandsaw showing suction hoses

Metallic bandsaw

The metallic bandsaw is for cutting processes.

One view of the bandsaw

Computer numerical control (CNC) router

This computer-controlled cutting machine uses a mounted router to machine metal parts.

Front view of the computer controlled router showing the large transparent protective box in which objects are shaped

 Side view of the computer controlled router for shaping objects showing control panel

Bench polisher

The bench polisher to create a smooth surface finish.

A standalone piece of kit mounted to the floor

Pillar drill

The pillar drill is for hole making processes in metallic and non-metallic materials.

The mounted drill for making holes in objects

Computer numerical control (CNC) lathe

The CNC lathe allows for precise turning machining processes.

 This is a large floor mounted machine, fully computer controlled

CNC milling machine

CNC milling machines are used for create precise designs on three-axis stage.

Showing the large, floor mounted machine with computer control panel

Spray booth

Spray booth for coating processes as a finish manufacturing process. 

The lab's spray booth with large hood to extract fumes