Mechanical Prototyping Laboratory
Our Mission
The Mechanical Prototyping Laboratory is committed to providing high quality design assistance, mechanical fabrication services, and consultation in the support of education, research, and service.
Our Facility
The Mechanical Prototyping Laboratory (MPL) is located in the Department of Physics & Astronomy Machine Shop in the basement of Malott Hall. While the early history of the shop is unknown, Clyde Tombaugh (the astronomer who discovered Pluto) mentions work done in the "Physics Shop" in his 1936 thesis. The shop has existed with its nearly current form and capabilities since 1997. Our shop includes several machine tools for machining a variety of materials, a welding area, and a sheet metal fabrication room.