The Machine Shop at Wilkes, also known as the Applied Manufacturing Center, provides engineering majors with real-world, hands-on experiences in modern manufacturing and machining processes, bridging the gap between theory and practical application.
Students learn and practice a variety of manufacturing and machining methods typical of a working machine shop. They gain skills in precision measuring techniques and basic manual machines operation, including the use of hand tools, drill presses, lathes, milling machines and MIG and TIG welders.
Facility Details
The facility is equipped with Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, CNC lathes and CNC milling machines (Haas and Bridgeport), as well as manual machining tools for rapid protoyping, the production of custom devices, experimental setups, and more. Students learn the latest techniques for cutting, shaping and joining materials and how to machine their own parts, including the adoption of best practices to repair and design improved parts to prevent product failure.
The AMC serves as an essential component of such engineering courses as Machining (ME 175), Manufacturing Processes (ME 215), and Senior Projects I and II (ME 391 and 392) and is also an important resource for other student projects and engineering club activities.
Beyond student education, the Machine Shop serves as a vital resource for faculty and researchers, enabling them to fabricate custom components for advanced research projects, prototype development, and experimental testing. Whether supporting senior capstone projects, faculty-led research, or industry collaborations, the lab provides the infrastructure to bring innovative concepts to life.
Through practical applications, students develop cutting-edge techniques in material cutting, shaping, and joining, as well as designing and machining parts to enhance product reliability, structural integrity, and performance.
The Machine Shop fosters a culture of innovation and skill development, empowering students to tackle engineering challenges and contribute to advancements in research, technology, and product design.
Selected Equipment
- Four different welding processes: arc welding (stick), metal inert gas (MIG), tungsten inert gas (TIG, updated in Feb. 2015 with syncrowave technology), and spot welding.
- Plasma Cutter – electrical arc with forced hot air
- Drill presses
- Haas CNC Mill: TM1 2010 - Contours, shapes, pocketing, bore holes
- Haas CNC Lathe TL1 2013 – Machines round stock, outside and inside diameters
Projects
- Keystone Automation, Inc., Duryea, PA, has collaborated with our lab to develop ABS plastic and aluminum surgical cutter tools for use in the university’s robotics lab.
- Students apply stress and strain theory toward choosing different fastening and welding techniques.
- Student projects include producing university campus signs in large batches through CNC programming. Other projects enable students to cut their own electronic circuit boards, and apply new technologies to improve manufacturing techniques, durability and cost efficiencies.
- Our Mini-Baja Program, sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers, enables students to develop skills in chassis, suspension and motor design. They also learn a variety of welding techniques.