Babbage Building – Facilities Tour

The DigiFab Laboratory enables the fabrication of functionally robust components from a range of thermoplastic materials. This lab complements the manufacturing processes available in the Precision Manufacturing Laboratory. Together, these labs provide the ability to fabricate engineering components to a high level of precision for use in other specialist and experimental labs in the Babbage Building.

The Materials Analysis and Characterisation Laboratory uses industry-standard equipment and testing methods. This lab allows you to learn about the micro-structure of technical materials and understand its influence on the overall mechanical properties of the material, which are measured through standardised coupon and small component testing.

The Composites Engineering Laboratory allows for the manufacturing and evaluating engineering components with thermoset composite materials using industry-standard equipment and testing methods. This lab also provides a facility for the development of novel composite materials and small-scale components for projects and research purposes.

The Autonomous Systems Test Laboratory supports teaching, learning and research in robotic vehicles and control systems. This lab supports the operatation and evaluation of individual robotic systems working under remote control or autonomously, or several robotic systems operating simultaneously as a single integrated autonomous system. The lab is integrated with other campus facilities, such as the Immersive Visualisation Suite, by the mutual exchange of live data.

The Engineering Computing Laboratories provides access to specialist software for Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE). This lab allows for the development of essential digital design skills, as well as an understanding of physics-based, numerical simulation software.

The Precision Manufacturing Laboratory enables the fabrication of components in a range of engineering materials using forming, shaping, joining and machining processes. There is direct access to Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines, tools and support from our skilled manufacturing technicians allowing fabrication of engineering components to a high level of precision for use in other specialist and experimental labs in the Babbage Building.

The Nanomaterials and Devices Laboratory provides a ‘clean room’-based laboratory for leading-edge research in nano-spintronics, computer memory and data storage technology, nano-functional materials, and biosensors. This lab includes a range of thin film deposition, micro fabrication facilities, and magneto-transport as well as nano-scale metrological characterisation instrumentations. This lab is fully equipped for the exploration of leading-edge science and technology, with a wide range of applications in sectors such as communications, defence, aerospace, security, and photonic surgery to medical and analytical instrumentation.

Blending modern digital design fabrication processes with traditional manufacturing techniques, our Digital Fabrication facility has a CAD-CAM suite with high-spec computers, digital scanning facilities, laser cutters and CNC routers and milling machines.

Our specialist open-access Metal Fabrication facility allows for hot and cold working to understand how metal as a material is applied and performs. Cold working involves joining and shaping metal using cutting, drilling, folding, bending, turning and milling, using a variety of hand tools. Guided by experienced technicians, users can manipulate materials using heat via our in-house forge and welding equipment.