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College of Design
Operations | College of Design

College of Design: Materials Lab

If you think it, you can make it. Our facilities support student creativity.

Materials Lab is currently undergoing renovations –
Shop access is
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
until 5/28.

We appreciate your patience.

Email us to request an appointment

The Materials Lab includes a range of equipment, from traditional hand tools to modern CNC equipment, and allows students to work in wood, plastic, metal, and fabric. The Materials Lab provides space, equipment, and trained personnel to assist design students in their work. Full-scale working prototypes and scaled models can be made to present design proposals.

Though College of Design students must provide their own materials for projects, the Materials Lab includes a complete wood shop, cold metal shop, hot metal welding shop, paint booth, and laser-cutting machines. Power- and hand tools are available for checkout by students currently enrolled in Design courses.

Shop Hours:

Shop will be CLOSED starting 5/1 at 5pm until 10am on 5/15.
SUMMER HOURS – 5/15 to 8/1:
Students not enrolled in summer school: Wednesdays ONLY – 10am – 5pm
Faculty, Staff, and Students enrolled in summer school (independent study or design build): Monday – Friday 10am-5pm
NO NIGHTS, NO WEEKENDS

Fall & Spring Semester
Monday – Thursday: 10am – 5pm;
6pm – 10pm
Friday: 10am – 5pm
Saturday – Sunday: 1pm – 5pm

Sign up for Shop Safety Orientation

Accessing the Shop:

The shop is available for use by any current College of Design students, staff, or faculty. In-Person Shop Safety Orientation is REQUIRED to access the shop. Starting Spring 2024, the shop will employ badge access using your Campus ID card. Your credentials will not be entered into the system without in-person safety orientation completion starting Spring 2024, or completing an attestation form that you have completed Safety Orientation in a prior semester.

Shop Resources:

The main work-horse of the shop, includes a wide variety of large machines for woodworking and crafting space. See “Available Equipment” link below to see a complete list of tools, along with their manuals & video tutorials (when available).

This half of the shop has a variety of saws, sanders, lathes, and benders to allow for cold-manipulation of metal. See “Available Equipment” link below to see a complete list of tools, along with their manuals & video tutorials (when available).

This separate room has multiple tools to allow for the hot-manipulation of metal. Such tools include MIG, TIG, torch welding, and plasma cutters. See “Available Equipment” link below to see a complete list of tools, along with their manuals & video tutorials (when available).

The shop is also responsible for supporting sewing and fibers for the College of Design. The shop has several machines available for check-out to design students. The shop provides machine maintenance, repair, and needles. Students must provide their own thread and materials.

Located in 230A Leazar Hall. Access: Monday – Friday: 24-hour secured access (must have code to access the lab) Note: Must be registered/enrolled for an Art + Design course. Saturday & Sunday: 24-hour secured access (closed most holidays) | (must have code to access the lab) Note: Must be registered/enrolled for an Art + Design course.

There is a silk screen exposure and washout room in Brooks 100. Access: 24-hour code access. Brief orientation required prior to use. Email design_materialslab@ncsu.edu for more information.

Safety Orientation Signup

In-Person Safety Orientation is REQUIRED to gain access to the shop.

CNC Project Submission

Review this page to learn about how to submit projects for milling on CNC queue.

Special Workshop Offerings

Click to learn about special workshops offered by the shop.

Laser Cutters

Click here to learn about laser cutter training, reservations, and usage information.

Check-Out Tools

With Cheqroom system, you can borrow tools to complete your project outside of the shop.

Available Equipment

Click to learn about machines and equipment available in the shop.

Scrap Traps

Scrap traps are located in multiple buildings within the College of Design, and represent a good place for students to look for FREE materials

Local Vendors for Materials

Click here to learn about local suppliers for all your wood, metal, p

Need Help? Schedule a Design Consultation:

Design Consult with Christian

Click to schedule.

Design Consult with Heather

Click to schedule.

CNC Design Consult

Click to schedule with Rob/Heather.

Take a virtual tour of the Materials Lab:

Contact Us

220 LEAZAR HALL

design_materialslab@ncsu.edu