Machines and Technologies

We have a bouquet of machines in the Fab Lab that use different manufacturing processes. Here you will find an overview of which machines we have and what features they have. You can find instructions for use and tips under Machine operation.

Additive Manufacturing

FLM (Fused Layer Modeling)

Fused Layer Modeling (FLM) or Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM®) is probably the most accessible 3D printing process. The printing material (filament) is fed by an extruder motor into a nozzle, which has previously been preheated to the special melting temperature of the particular material. This nozzle melts the filamentary material and deposits it on the usually heated print bed by moving the print bed (build plate) and the print head. Through repetition of this process the model grows layer per layer.

By repeating this process, the model grows layer by layer. This allows objects to be printed that are intended to be similarly robust or more robust than aluminum, for example.

Advantages: Low pre- and post-processing effort. It is possible to insert additional components into the model to be printed during the printing process.

Disadvantages: Comparatively poor surface properties.

	Prusa I3 MK3s	Ultimaker 2 Extended+	LuzBot TAZ 5	Markforged Mk1	Markforged Mk2
Material thickness 1:	1.75 mm	2.85 mm	2.85 mm	1.75 mm	1.75 mm
Material thickness 2:				MF 4	MF 4
Min. Layer height:	0.05 mm	0.04 mm	0.075 mm	0.1 mm	0.1 mm
Work area (W x L x H):	250 x 210 x 210 mm	223 x 223 x 305 mm	290 x 275 x 250 mm	320 x 132 x 154 mm	320 x 132 x 154 mm
Materials 1:	PLA, ABS, PET, HIPS , Flex, PP, Ninjaflex… etc.	PLA, ABS, PET… etc.	PLA, ABS, PET, HIPS, PVA… etc.	Onyx, Nylon White	Onyx, Nylon White
Materials 2:				Carbon fiber, fiberglass, Kevlar®, HSHT fiberglass	Carbon fiber, fiberglass, Kevlar®, HSHT fiberglass

Stereolithography

Stereolithography (SL) or (SLA) is an additive manufacturing process in which a photopolymer resin is used as the printing medium. This synthetic resin is cured during the printing process using a laser beam that is guided over the print bed based on the model to be printed. This process is repeated layer by layer. The model must then be freed of excess resin in an alcohol bath and finally cured in a UV bath.

Advantages: This process offers the highest precision and the best surface properties.

Disadvantages: Large pre- and post-processing effort, furthermore caution is required when working with the synthetic resin as it has toxic properties.

	FormLabs Form1+	FromLabs Form3	Prusa SL1
X/Y-Resolution:	0.01 mm	0.025 mm	0.047 mm
Min. Layer height:	0.025 mm	0.025 mm	0.01 mm
Work area (W x L x H):	125 × 125 × 165 mm	145 x 145 x 185 mm	120 x 68 x 150 mm
Materials:	Photopolymer resin	Photopolymer resin	Photopolymer resin

LS (Laser Sintering)

Laser sintering (LS) or selective laser sintering (SLS) is similar to stereolithography (SL) in that a laser source is used to cure the material. In this process, however, a powder is used instead of the synthetic resin, which is then cured on the basis of the specified model. For this purpose, fresh powder is pushed over the already cured areas in layers and then cured again. The previous powder layer thus supports the model or the next layer during production. This process is repeated layer by layer.

Advantages: The LS process offers excellent precision and surface properties. In addition, even complicated shapes can be produced without support structures.
Disadvantage: Large amount of preparation and follow-up work.

	Sinterit Lisa Pro
X/Y-Resolution:	0.05 mm
Min. Layer height:	0.075 mm
Work area (W x L x H):	150 x 200 x 260 mm
Materials:	PA12 Smooth, PA11 Onyx, Flexa… etc.

Laser Cutter

The laser cutter can be used to cut and engrave a wide variety of materials with high precision.

	Glowforge Pro	Lotus BLU125-DC
Laser type:	CO2 Laser	CO2 Laser
Wavelength:	10,600 nm	10,600 nm
Laser power:	45 W	100 W
Max. Material size (W x D):	515 x 455 mm	1250 x 900 mm
Laser area (W x D):	495 x 279 mm	1250 x 900 mm
Max. Material thickness:	50 mm	150 mm
Max. Material thickness with base:	13 mm	150 mm
Materials:	Wood, fabric, leather, paper, cardboard, acrylic, cork…. etc.	Wood, fabric, leather, paper, cardboard, acrylic, cork…. etc.

Collaborative Robot Arm

The UR10e robot arm is a collaborative robot equipped with a gripper and quick-change system. The arm can be used to perform a wide variety of tasks that require high precision. Work steps can be programmed and taught and thus automated. In the future, the arm will be converted into a 3D printer that will make large 3D models a reality.

	UR 10e
Work area:	1300 mm (Radius)
Payload:	10 kg
Tools:	OnRobot Greifer RG6

Cutting Plotter

The Roland LEC-330 is perfect for cutting large quantities of thin materials with extreme precision. Both material from the roll and blanks can be processed.

	Roland UV printer/ cutting plotter LEC-330
Material width:	182 mm to 762 mm
Material thickness during cutting:	0.22 bis 0.4 mm
Max. outer roller diameter:	180 mm
Max. Roll mass:	20 kg
Cut width:	736 mm

Limitation: For technical reasons, the Roland UV printer/cutting plotter can only be used as a cutting plotter in laboratory operation.

CNC Mill

Various CNC routers provide the latitude you need to mill your woodwork or even smaller circuit boards with the utmost precision.

	EAS HEAVY 800XL	Stämpfli	X-Carve
Travel (X x Y x Z):	1590 x 825 x 170 mm
Clamping surface (X x Y):	2050 x 960 mm
Machining area (X x Y):	1590 x 825 mm
Materials:	Wood, fabrics and plastics	Wood, fabrics and plastics	Wood, fabrics and plastics

Electronics Workshop

The electronics workshop is equipped with several soldering stations and magnifying glasses, as well as microcontrollers and other electronic components that can be used for testing.

Laboratory power supply

Multi-/ Soldering Station

Suction + Filter

Textile Processing

Different sewing machines are available for processing different textiles.

Electric sewing machines

Foot driven sewing machine

Overlock sewing machine

Power Tools

In addition to the standard tools such as screwdrivers, hammers and pliers, all kinds of power tools are also available in our handcraft area. The following list provides an overview: