Precision Instrument Machine Shop
The College of Engineering's Precision Instrument Machine Shop is a full-service machine shop specializing in the custom design and fabrication of mechanical equipment for research and engineering.
We are able to design, machine, micro-machine, fabricate, repair or modify a wide variety of research and teaching apparatuses. We work closely with faculty, students and technicians to ensure that the final product fully meets all specifications.
Services
Our services are available to all departments in the College of Engineering, as well as other colleges, academic departments and research centers at NC State University. Our services also are available to other universities and private-sector customers as our workload permits.
Select a service:
With extensive experience in the design of simple to complex parts and instruments, the Precision Instrument Machine Shop staff will help researchers develop their ideas into complete designs.
Using SolidWorks, a 3D CAD design Software, we can generate mechanical drawings to assist in the manufacturing of research and teaching apparatuses.
The Kern EVO Micro-milling CNC machine is a fully equipped 3-axis CNC machining center, which includes the following components.
- Laser tool measuring system
- Automatic tool changer
- 5-axis capabilities
- IR touch probe
The Kern’s high-precision capabilities and high-speed spindle enable it to produce small, high-quality features at the submillimeter level using tools as small as 0.1 mm in a variety of machinable materials. We use SolidWorks 3D CAD software for design and Gibbs and Mastercam software to generate precise tool paths.
Kern EVO Photo Gallery
Select image to enlarge it.
Machine Components:
Products:
The shop is equipped to perform both manual and computer-aided machining. Our equipment includes:
List of Milling Machines and Lathes
Milling Machines:
- One Proto Trak three-axis DPM bed mill
- Two Proto Trak two-axis Bridgeport mills
- One manual Bridgeport-type milling machine
Lathes:
- One Hardinge tool room lathe
- One Monarch EE-Series lathe
- One Monarch 18 x 78 lathe
- One LeBlond Tool & Die lathe
- One Southwestern CNC 1840 lathe
We also have a DoAll surface grinder, two drill presses, one band saw, one cutoff saw and one table saw.
We are equipped to do many sheet metal fabrication operations. Our equipment includes:
- One National hydraulic shear (capacity ¼-inch mild steel, 6 feet wide)
- Two manual breaks for bending
- One manual roller
- Two manual punch presses
- One manual notcher
- One hand-held spot welder
We can perform most types of welding operations using TIG, MIG or stick welding on aluminum, stainless steel and steel. We also routinely perform high-vacuum welding of stainless steel.
Silver brazing and soldering is used to join brass, copper or two dissimilar metals.
Our equipment includes:
- One Miller Dynasty 300 TIG welder
- One Miller Matic 200 MIG welder
The Precision Instrument Machine Shop maintains an inventory of materials and fasteners. Metals on hand include brass; bronze; copper; carbon steel; and 303, 304, and 316 stainless steels. Non-metals include acrylic (Plexiglas®), polycarbonate (Lexan®), nylon, Delrin®, Teflon® and phenolic.
We stock fasteners #0 to ½ inch in English sizes and various metric sizes. Other miscellaneous hardware, such as dowel pins, roll pins and fittings, are also on hand.
We have many vendors who can quickly supply needed materials and hardware to ensure the timely turnaround of your project.
Job Submission and Fees
Contact Us
1136 Burlington Nuclear Labs
North Campus, Box 7901
NC State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7901
(919) 515-2834 (phone)
(919) 513-3277 (fax)
Chris Sanford: casanfor@ncsu.edu
Hours of Operation:
7 a.m. to 4 p.m., M-F
Closed for lunch (11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
Job Submission
It is preferred that customers submit jobs in person so that shop personnel can discuss project specifications and design with you. Please bring any sketches, drawings or mating parts pertinent to your job.
Work Request Form
Customers need to download and complete the client portion of the work request form (PDF), obtain the P.I.’s signature and bring the signed form to us as part of the job submission.
Service Fees
The hourly rate for all NC State University colleges, academic departments and research centers is $76.99, plus the cost of materials. For customers outside of the university, please call for information.
Staff
Instrument makers Emad Tawardrous, Chris Sanford and Jasin Johnson will be happy to help you with your design and fabrication needs.
Please contact Chris Sanford with your questions.
Chris Sanford, (919) 515-2834, casanfor@ncsu.edu
Location
The Precision Instrument Machine Shop is located in Burlington Nuclear Labs, room 1136, on NC State’s North Campus. The physical address of Burlington Nuclear Labs is 2500 Stinson Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607.
Directions to Room 1136
The Precision Instrument Machine Shop — room 1136 — is down the stairs from the first floor of Burlington Nuclear Labs. You can find room 1136 through the lobby (facing Hillsborough Street), to the right and down the hall on the left-hand side.
Parking
You can park on Hillsborough Street and walk from Lampe Drive onto North Campus or park in the Reynolds Coliseum Parking Deck off Pullen Drive.
