There are five instructional project lab spaces on the ground floor of MacLean Center for Engineering Sciences, Cumming Hall, and the Class of 1982 Engineering and Computer Science Center: the Couch Project Design Lab, the Fahey Advanced Design Lab, the Large Frame Project Lab, the Electronics Project Lab, and the Couch Project Lab II. These labs are intended for curricular project work, while faculty labs are more appropriate for sponsored research.
For overall lab use questions or when the supervisor below is not available, contact Mike Kokko, Director of Instructional Labs, or the Director of Facilities and Safety Jon Stark.
Couch Project Design Lab (M009, M014)
The Couch Lab is a large general design and assembly space for use in a variety of primarily undergraduate project courses including ENGS 21. Large benches are available for project work, but should be kept clear when work is not actively ongoing, and must be cleared before the next class day starts (TA's clear anything left on tables between 7:00am and 9:00am every weekday). Wall storage units are available for parts storage. A variety of mechanical and electronics test equipment is also available. Some power tools are provided for use by students with safety training or under direct supervision of trained TAs. The lab is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with the large power tools available from 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. When using power tools, safety glasses must be worn and hair must be pulled back and tucked above the shoulders inside a hat. Use of the Instron mechanical testing machines require someone within hailing distance (the buddy system) when being used. Hearing protection, chemical splash goggles, and gloves are available in the Instrument Room. For more detail, please refer to the posted document "Student Project Lab Rules and Etiquette." In general, food and drink are permitted as long as they are cleaned up when done, with the exception of M018, the high vent lab just off Couch lab, where food or drink are not permitted. This space is managed by the Machine Shop.
Couch Project Design Lab II (ECSC B08)
The Couch II Lab is a large design space used primarily for undergraduate courses including ENGS 12 and 21. Equipment is limited to hand tools for working with foam core and cardboard, sewing machines, and whiteboards for brainstorming. Consumable materials in the back room (post its, fabrics, etc) are for ENGS 12 use only and labeled accordingly. The lab is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with occasional hours staffed by TAs during weekdays. All long term work must be stored in cubbies and not left out on tables–TAs will clean tables daily, so please don’t leave your project work out or it will get thrown away. Cubbies are available for students to use for project storage and will be cleaned out at the end of each term. Please label your cubby with name, course, and term. In general, food and drink are permitted as long as they are cleaned up and disposed of properly when done. This space is under the supervision of Chris Magoon.
Fahey Advanced Design Lab (M003)
The Fahey Advanced Design Lab is used for courses with significant laboratory and/or project components (eg. ENGS 76, ENGS 89/90, ENGS 147). The room remains locked 24/7 and card access is provided on a term-by-term basis to students with assigned space in the room. Certain extracurricular student groups (eg. DFR, DHE) have dedicated space reserved in Fahey. Project materials may be left on benches in Fahey during the term, however, the space must remain neat. This space is under the supervision of Mike Kokko.
Allyn Large Frame Lab (M030)
The Large Frame Lab is a fabrication and assembly area for large projects which may involve large metal frames. It is to be used only by students who have been assigned access, received safety training and agreed to use policies. It is typically used by BE students and occasional ENGS 21 projects. Some power tools are available only to users specifically qualified (ask if you are unsure). This space is under the supervision of Raina White.
Electronics Project Lab (C011)
The Electronics Project Lab is a design and assembly space for electronics, mechatronics, and energy related projects. Use of this lab is by assignment; the front space is usually assigned to a relevant Engineering course, and the rear space is assigned to specific projects. This space is under the supervision of Raina White.
