Labs and Spaces
Hands-On Learning Environments
Engineering students at St. Cloud State University learn by doing in modern labs and research spaces built for innovation, experimentation, and real-world application. From materials testing and thermal sciences to robotics, fabrication, and rapid prototyping, our facilities equip students to bring ideas to life. With specialized labs like our Materials Lab, regularly updated engineering spaces, and accessible, collaborative environments, students gain the hands-on experience and tools they need to connect theory to practice and prepare for their careers.
Fabrication Labs
Our student-staffed fabrication lab does 3D printing, laser cutting and engraving, prototyping and custom printing.
You provide a drafting file or graphic file, and our students will generate a quote and then lead the project to completion.
This facility is equipped with a variety of wood working/construction tools. Saw Stop table saws, jointer, CNC routers, Time Saver and many other tools for project work.
The Technology and Engineering Careers Network (TEC Network) is a program that provides equipment and technologies for the manufacturing, engineering and construction industries to schools across Minnesota. Professional development is one of the key components of the success of the program. The Husky Express is a mobile training center that houses CNC mills for onsite training for industry.
This lab has some of the latest technology in the manufacturing industry along with some of the traditional processes. CNC lathe, milling machines and plasma cutter are available. Welding, foundry, and sheet metal machines and equipment are located in the manufacturing center
Materials Lab
This machine allows our students to test the strength of metals and plastics. The Instron tests how much force the material can withstand. An example of on-the-job application includes a vehicle suspension fatigue test to see how the materials are expected to hold up over time.
Similar to the Instron, this machine tests the strength of materials. This machine is primarily used for biological materials. Students are able to take a skin graft and learn about how the material behaves in different situations.
Our students are able to test the amount of energy absorbed when materials are hit with force. Tough materials are able to absorb a lot of energy while fractured and brittle materials absorb very little energy.
This machine allows our students to learn about the strength of materials. The machine applies force on the material, leaving a dent. Students examine the dent to determine the strength.
Over time, plastics tend to droop when continuous force is applied. This machine emulates a continuous force with use of weights and allows students to test and evaluate different plastic materials.
Metals change properties with heat. This oven allows students to heat materials up to 1650 degrees Fahrenheit and evaluate how heat treatment affects the material properties.
Our Materials Lab offers a number of microscopes for students to take a closer look at materials they are testing.
Olympus Metallograph Microscope
Metallography has grown increasingly complex with more exotic alloys developed for today’s advanced products. Our students will learn about the different enhancing materials used in metal and will be able to take an up-close look.
Leica Luminescence Stereo Microscope
This microscope allows our students to evaluate fractured surfaces at magnifications up to approximately 250 times with a full apochromatic lens. The large depth of field supports assessment of failure initiation.
The Thermal Sciences Lab, located in the basement of the ISELF building, is equipped for our students to study thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer and related subjects including a wind tunnel facility.
Electrical and Computer Engineering Labs
This lab, used for upper division electronics courses, provides students with the standard equipment for electronics testing, including mixed-signal oscilloscopes, function generators, and power supplies.
This lab consists of several development boards, including the latest from Xilinx, as well as computers and mixed-signal oscilloscopes.
This lab allows students to explore the world of electronic communication, and includes TIMS prototyping equipment.
This lab is equipped to give students an understanding of electromagnetics and their applications to electrical engineering.
This lab, located in ISELF and shared with other programs in the college, gives students a space to finish their capstone design projects in an interdisciplinary setting.
This lab, located in the basement of the ISELF building, is shared with Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. It allows students to work with all manner of control systems.
The Clean Room, located in the basement of the ISELF building, is equipped for sputter depositions and other nano-scale processes. It is available to properly trained and certified undergraduate and graduate students.
This research lab is located on the third floor of ISELF and is an industry sponsored research lab, which provides research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students.