Workshops + Fabrication

Our comprehensive woodworking shop provides all tools required to produce anything from small models to full-sized building components. Students enrolled in SALA programs can use it as a resource for both studio and technical courses. We train our students in the safe use of tools and machines appropriate to their projects. 

The shop is located in the basement of the Lasserre Building and has two areas. The machine room contains most of the equipment and is open over 50 hours per week. The assembly room with benches, power, and some machines is available around the clock. You can sign out a large selection of hand tools and portable power tools for use in the assembly room, at your desk, or even outside of SALA. 

In addition to traditional woodworking tools, we have several types of digital fabrication devices. They shape materials by directly reading data from computer files. This allows the construction of objects that would be difficult to make otherwise. These devices include: 

CNC router 

Our three-axis CNC router is capable of cutting out parts in 2D or milling shapes out of material in 3D. A common use for this machine is to mill the topography of project sites for studio courses. 

Pen Plotter 

Our pen plotter marks paper and thin card stock for use in models or displays. It allows users to choose a variety of pen types. 

Laser cutters 

Our two laser cutters use energy from a carbon dioxide laser to cut through or etch into materials. Applications include creating contour models and cutting out building parts or parts for experimental machinery. 

3D printers 

3D printers can create detailed models that would be hard to realize by traditional means. The printers use a filament of PLA plastic to build models up layer by layer. We have other printers that selectively cure a liquid PLA resin into a desired shape.