The CNC Lab is currently proud to offer two, 3 axis CNC machines.

Available for student’s use includes a 4’x8′ ShopBot PRS Standard CNC Gantry Router. The CNC router is capable of milling 2D shapes and 3D surfaces in a variety of materials for a variety of applications and excels at cutting complex shapes in sheet goods – perfect for creating full-scale functional mock-ups.

Additionally, the School of Architecture and Design has rolled out a new 2’x4′ Tormach 24R CNC Gantry router. While smaller, the machine excels at creating high fidelity 3D models, perfect for creating finely detailed site models, mold making and furniture mockups.

The CNC Lab is available for use, during lab open hours, after completing the required instruction module. Please get in touch with a SoAD Labs staff-member for access to training.

CAM support

The School of Architecture and Design Labs are always exploring new CAM suites to best suit the current needs of students. While we currently have robust support in RhinoCAM, we are also actively investigating Fusion360 as well as CAMworks. Please discuss with a lab technician to see which program may be best suited for your work.

RhinoCAM resources

The School of Architecture and Design Labs provide instruction, support and access to RhinoCAM software which is used to program the CNC router. RhinoCAM is a robust CAM plugin for Rhino which allows you to program and simulate toolpaths within the native Rhino interface.

tool database files

Only use the tools contained in the RhinoCAM tool database files below:

TOOLDB – MDF – end-mills

TOOLDB – plywood hardwood – end-mills

TOOLDB – XPS foam – end-mills

TOOLDB – foam – long reach – end-mills

TOOLDB – drag-knife

lab resources and use

CNC tooling

The SoAD Labs provides and maintains a stock of machine tooling for general use.

materials

The chart below serves as a guide for materials that can be worked safely with provided CNC tooling and infrastructure. If you would like to cut material not found on this list, please contact lab technical staff.

allowable materials restricted materials
wood common softwoods & hardwood
plywood
MDF (in limited quantities only)
tempered hardboard [Masonite]		 exotic & rot-resistant hardwoods
pressure-treated wood
painted or stained wood
reclaimed lumber
plastics Acrylic
HDPE
Corian
foam XPS foam [pink / blue insulation]
EPS foam [typically white + granular]
polyurethane modeling foam [RenShape]
metals none
masonry none