{"id":30,"date":"2023-12-14T22:11:48","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T22:11:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/?page_id=30"},"modified":"2026-08-16T01:04:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T01:04:38","slug":"materials-lab","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/materials-lab\/","title":{"rendered":"College of Design: Materials Lab"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n \n
\n

Shop Hours:<\/h2>\n

SUMMER Hours:<\/strong>
CLOSED 7\/31 until FDOC (8\/17)<\/strong>

Fall & Spring Semester<\/strong>
Monday – Thursday: 10am – 5pm;
6pm – 10pm*
Friday: 10am – 5pm
Saturday – Sunday: 1pm – 5pm*
*Evening and Weekend hours will begin 8\/24

Shop closed for Labor Day (Sat 9\/5 – Mon 9\/7)<\/strong>


<\/p>\n \n

\n \n
\n \n Sign up for Shop Safety Orientation<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Accessing the Shop:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The shop is available for use by any current College of Design students, staff, or faculty. <\/strong>An in-person shop safety orientation is REQUIRED<\/span><\/strong>before first using the shop. The shop will employ badge access using your Campus ID card. Your credentials will not be entered into the system without completing your orientation. After completion of in person orientation, access is renewed on annual basis by completing an attestation form that you have completed Safety Orientation in a prior semester.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n
\n \n For more info – click here<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n <\/svg>\n\n <\/div>\n
\n

Donate to Materials Lab<\/h2>\n

The Materials Lab welcomes donations to our support fund! Your donations help support materials for students, expansion of workshops and lectures, acquisition\u00a0of additional tools, and exhibitions.<\/p>\n \n

\n \n Click here to donate!<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shop Resources:<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\n \n
\n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n

Wood Shop<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

\n \n\n

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

\n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n

Cold-Work Metal Shop<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

\n \n\n

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 to see a complete list of tools, along with their manuals & video tutorials (when available).<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n

\n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n

Hot-Work Welding Shop<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

\n \n\n

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 to see a complete list of tools, along with their manuals & video tutorials (when available).<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n

\n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n

Sewing & Fibers<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

\n \n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n

\n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n

Screen Printing<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

\n \n\n

There is a silk screen exposure and washout room in Brooks 100. Access:<\/strong> 24-hour code access. Brief orientation required prior to use. Email design_materialslab@ncsu.edu<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n <\/g><\/svg>\n\n <\/div>\n
\n

Want to Ship to the Materials Lab?<\/h2>\n

Click here to learn the address and process for shipping materials to the Shop in Leazar.<\/p>\n \n

\n \n Learn more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Need Help? Schedule a Design Consultation:<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n
\n \n
\n
\n \"\"\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n \n

Design Consult with Christian<\/h3>\n \n\n \n\t \t

Click to schedule.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n\t \t \n

<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/a>\n\n\n\n \n

\n
\n \"\"\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n \n

Design Consult with Heather<\/h3>\n \n\n \n\t \t

Click to schedule.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n\t \t \n

<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/a>\n\n\n\n \n

\n
\n \"\"\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n \n

CNC Design Consult<\/h3>\n \n\n \n\t \t

Click to schedule with Rob\/Heather.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n\t \t \n

<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Take a virtual tour of the Materials Lab:<\/h2>\n\n\n