Labs and Facilities

Mechatronics Lab

The principles of Mechatronics, a Mechanical Engineering senior course, is taught in Mechatronics lab in every Fall. Mechatronics refers to the synergistic integration of precision mechanical structure and motion, electronic control, and system concepts in the design of industrial products and processes. We have autonomous mobile robots, Programmable Logic Control (PLC) Systems, and industrial robots. By using these mechatronics systems we give the students the opportunities to get hands-on experience and prepare students to be able to design and fabricate electro-mechanical systems and get industrial positions and/or succeed in future graduate studies. The images below are Mitsubishi Horizontal (RH-6FH-D)/Vertical (RV-SD) Industrial Robots (IRs) and Allen-Bradley Programable Logic Controllers.

In addition, Dr. Ma and his research team can design, build, and test microcontroller-based (e.g. general microcontrollers, PLCs, and Industrial Robots) automation systems (e.g. automatic assembly systems, automatic palletizing systems, automatic welding systems) based on custom needs for the industry. Industrial partnership is greatly appreciated.

Laser machining/peening lab

The laboratory consists of a 1064 nm infrared pulsed laser, target positioning table, and associated optics. The lab is used to perform experiments laser machining and laser peening. Laser machining is an advanced manufacturing technology that could be used for machining advanced engineering materials that traditional machining methods are not applicable. Laser Peening is an emerging technology to improve the durability of precision metal components ranging from turbine blades and transmission gears to medical implants by involving laser-induced compressive residual stress fields in precision metal components, with the intent to extend the fatigue life cycles. In addition to conducting laser machining/peening experiments,

In addition, Dr. Ma and his students also conduct computational modeling (both using Abaqus and Molecular Dynamics Simulations) of laser machining/peening research.

The images below are Continuum Surelite Class III nanosecond laser system.

Manufacturing System Laboratory

The manufacturing system lab includes MDH Machine Shop and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) machine shop in Oliver Hall. MDH machine shop has five (5) Jet lathes (model GHP 1340), one (1) Enco lathe, and five Jet Vertical Mills (model JM2). CAM machine shop in Oliver Hall has one (1) HAAS CNC machine center (model VF4), one (1) South Bend lathe, one (1) Bridgeport vertical mill, one advanced water jet machine. This manufacturing system lab provides students with hands-on experience with various manufacturing processes for teaching purposes and enables faculty and students to fabricate various components for senior design projects and other student projects.

In addition, Dr. Ma uses this lab to conduct experimental investigations of machinability of newly developed materials and performance of innovatively designed cutting tools. Industrial partnership is greatly appreciated.

The left image below is the CNC machine center and the right image below is the water jet machine.

Image below shows the MDH machine shop