The Cube offers a wide variety of 3D printers as well as 3D scanners, Electronic Prototyping Equipment, and traditional manufacturing equipment.
FDM Printers
Dremel Digilab 3D45:
- Bed Size- 10in x 6in x 6in
- Layer Height- 50-300 microns
- Material types- PLA, ABS, Nylon, PETG
We have 10 Dremel 3D45 printers which are an FDM style desktop printer. The Dremel offer a wide variety of color options in PLA as well as black ABS and Nylon plastic. The Dremel uses the same spool of material for the model as it does support. This requires the support material to be broken off with pliers after printing. This printer is ideal for quick and cost-effective prototyping.
To print to the Dremel attend a 3DprinterOS class at The Cube to start submitting prints remotely.
Stratsys Dimension SST 1200es:
- Bed Size- 10in x 10in x 12in
- Layer Height- 254 microns
- Material Type- ABS
The Cube has 1 Stratasys Dimension printer that offers a variety of colors in ABS plastic. The Dimension is an industrial quality FDM style printer that uses a separate support dissolvable support material. Once the part has finished printed it soaks in a sodium hydroxide bath to dissolve the support material away. This printer is ideal for complex or moving parts that support material cannot be accessed easily by hand for removal.
To print to the Dimension send your .stl file and the submission form to thecube@eng.ua.edu or bring both files by The Cube on a flash drive.
Blackbelt Conveyor Printer:
- Bed Size- 13in x 13in x unlimited length
- Layer Height- 100- 800 microns
- Material Type- nGen, PETG
The Cube has 1 Blackbelt printer which is a desktop style FDM printer. This printer prints onto a conveyor belt allowing you to print very large parts for prototyping. This printer also prints at a 45-degree angle which allows for printing of hollows parts without support material inside. The support material is the same as the model material and must be pulled away with pliers. This printer is ideal for prototyping large parts quickly.
To print to the Blackbelt send your .stl file and the submission form to thecube@eng.ua.edu or bring both files by The Cube on a flash drive.
Polyjet Printers:
3D systems Projet2500 Plus:
- Bed Size- 11in x 8in x 5in
- Layer Height- 32 microns
- Material type- Visijet Resin
The Cube has 1 Projet 2500 which is an industrial grade polyjet resin printer that can print in clear and black high strength resin. This printer has a dissolvable support material that is melted away in a steam bath and isopropyl alcohol bath. The low layer thickness and layer bonding process allows for watertight parts. This printer is ideal for parts that need to be see through or have complex cavities inside the part.
To print to the Projet 2500 send your .stl file and the submission form to thecube@eng.ua.edu or bring both files by The Cube on a flash drive.
SLA Printers:
Formlabs Form 3:
- Bed Size- 5in x 5in x 7in
- Layer Height- 25 – 200 microns
- Material type- Resin
The Cube has 1 Form 3 printer which is a desktop style SLA printer that prints in both clear and grey resin. This printer uses the same resin for support material as it does the model which is easily removed with pliers. This printer is ideal for small parts that FDM style printing is not capable of and is still quick and cost effective.
To print to the Form 3 send your .stl file and the submission form to thecube@eng.ua.edu or bring both files by The Cube on a flash drive.
Formlabs Form 3L:
- Bed Size- 13in x 7in x 11in
- Layer Height- 25 – 200 microns
- Material type- Resin
The Cube has 1 Form 3L printer which is a desktop style SLA printer that prints in both clear and grey resin. This printer uses the same resin for support material as it does the model which is easily removed with pliers. This printer has a larger print bed than the Form 3 allowing for bigger parts that need the same fine layer height. This printer is ideal for small parts that FDM style printing is not capable of and is still quick and cost effective.
To print to the Form 3L send your .stl file and the submission form to thecube@eng.ua.edu or bring both files by The Cube on a flash drive.
Powder Printers:
3D systems Projet 460 Plus:
- Bed Size- 8in x 8in x 10 in
- Layer Height- 4 microns
- Material Type- Powder
The Cube has 1 Projet 460 which is an industrial grade powder printer. This printer uses a powder and glue to print parts. It also has an inkjet printer cartridge to color the powder as it prints which allows intricate coloring of parts for prototyping or presentation. Loose powder is used as a support material so there is no support material to remove from the part once it has finished printing. This printer is ideal for prototyping and presenting parts that require different colors throughout the part.
To print to the Projet 460 send your .stl file and the submission form to thecube@eng.ua.edu or bring both files by The Cube on a flash drive.
3D Scanners:
Artec Eva Scanner:
- Resolution- .5mm
- Working Distance- .4- 1m
The Cube has 1 Artec Eva Scanner to scan a part for 3D printing or reverse engineering in Solidworks. This scanner allows you to scan parts without placing markers and captures color allowing parts to be rendered in their original color. This scanner is ideal for scanning large or simple parts.
Artec Space Spider Scanner:
- Resolution- .1mm
- Working Distance- .2-.3m
The Cube has 1 Artec Space Spider to scan a part for 3D printing or reverse engineering in Solidworks. This scanner allows you to scan parts without placing markers and captures color allowing parts to be rendered in their original color. This scanner is ideal for scanning small or complex parts.
Electronic Prototyping Equipment:
Milling Machine (T-Tech QC-J5)
This milling machine is capable of producing circuit boards for student use. These boards are cost free, and can be used for whatever purpose the board is designed for, whether it be for senior design, research, or even a personal project.
Solder Paste Printer (LPFK ProtoPrint S)
This piece of equipment is used to hold a stencil in place to ensure a smooth and precise amount of solder is applied.
Pick and Place machine (MC400)
A Pick and Place machine has the capabilities of picking up very small components, and placing them in precise locations with extreme accuracy, at a very efficient rate. The machine we have in the lab is automatic, which means that long strips of components can be placed in the machine, and as long as components are available, the machine will run on its own.
Reflow Oven (T-962A)
A reflow oven is used to melt the solder paste, forming a bond that holds the component in its place. After this step you are left with a finalized product, ready for testing
Laser (Epilog Helix 60W)
The laser can be used for various projects utilizing both cutting and engraving, however, the main purpose of the laser is to create stencils for circuit boards. The laser is capable of cutting out “pads” for solder paste to be applied.
Traditional manufacturing equipment:
Waterjet Table
The waterjet table uses a combination of high pressure water and garnet to cut 2D objects up to 4’ x 8’ in size (thickness dependent on material). This equipment can be used to cut virtually any material from high density foam to stainless steel to various composites.
Designs must in a .DXF format.
Plasma Cutter
The plasma cutter is capable of cutting 2D objects up to 4’ x 5’ x .75” in size out of stainless steel or carbon steel.
Designs must in a .DXF format.
Laser (Epilog Zing 30W)
The laser can be used for various projects utilizing both cutting and engraving. The max size for this laser is approximately 16” x 12”. It is used primarily for balsa wood and thin plastics.
Designs must be in Adobe Illustrator.