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Conceptualize, Collaborate, Create

Engineering Design Center

Welcome to the St. Thomas Engineering Labs and Design Center. Our engineering facilities and staff are well-equipped to turn your design ideas into reality. With access to our helpful engineering staff, labs and a host of equipment, tools, supplies and materials available day or night, you’ll get a robust hands-on engineering experience and the help you need to succeed.

Design Center Lab

A Place to Make Things Happen

With night and day access, industry-leading equipment, and talented staff, the Engineering Design Center is a place to conceptualize, collaborate, and create.

Engineering student operates mining machine

Go big or go metal

Machine Shop

  • CNC Mill and Lathe
  • Bridgeport mills
  • Manual lathes
  • Bending and Forming
  • Aluminum and Steel
  • Welding
  • Everything you need to gear up
Engineering student uses a drill press

The sharpest shop you ever saw

Wood Shop

  • Table, panel and chop saws
  • Drill press
  • Bandsaw, planer and sanders
  • Downdraft table
  • Benches, clamps, and lots of glue
  • Everything you need to be a cut above
Engineering student works with electrical instrument

Energize your experience

Electrical Labs

  • Advanced test equipment
  • Electronics and Microcontrollers
  • Controls and Robotics
  • Power Systems
  • Soldering and PCBs
  • Everything you need to spark ideas
Pans filled with rock aggregate

Our capabilities are rock solid

Civil Labs

  • Surveying instruments
  • Tensile tester
  • Concrete crusher
  • Mixing, sifting, casting…
  • The bridge you need to get where you’re going

The Stuff You Need to Get Things Done

From tools and materials to 3-D printing and laser cutting to computers and software you’ll have the resources you need to turn your ideas into reality.
Students work with the tools in the design facility

Design a part and press "Go"

Our rapid prototyping design tools include 3-D printers, laser cutters, etching and engraving, and supplies like wood, metal, plastic, acrylic and more.
Supply of different raw materials.

Measure twice, cut once

Students have access to raw materials including sheet metal, bar and tube stock, plywood and lumber, fasteners and hardware and adhesives.
Civil engineering students pour aggregate into a mixer

Build it. Then Crush It.

We have the structural materials and instrumentation that civil engineering students need like truss materials, concrete, aggregates, tensile testers and a concrete crusher.
Wiring and circuitry of a 3D Prototyping Machine

Spark an idea

Electronics supplies include electronic parts, LEDs and lamps, sensors and transducers, microcontrollers and processors, wire and connectors, enclosures, batteries and power sources.
Engineering students work together programing

Cutting edge hardware and software apps

The computers available in our student labs are powerful machines with fast networks in plentiful work areas. Available day or night. Our industry-leading software applications include: CAD programs, simulation tools, schematic design, circuit board creation, controls and automation.
Mechanical engineering student poses in the tool crib

A one-stop-shop for all your tool and supply needs

From hand tools and power tools to hardware and adhesives, the Tool Crib has what engineering students need. Open daily - mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends. Staffed by student shop mentors.

Get the Help You Need

You will find the help you need to develop skills with how-to video tutorials, friendly lab staff and peer mentors and access to local and global suppliers. The right training, help and materials are always within reach.

Ordering Special Parts

Don’t have the part you need? We will help you get it.

Video Tutorials

Our lab staff have created instructional videos and references on the machines our engineering students use that show you step-by-step how it’s done. 

Lab Staff

We have lab managers with more than 100 years combined experience ready to help students from any of our engineering majors: civil, mechanical, electrical and computer. Need help? Just ask.

Peer Mentors

Peer mentors are experienced engineering students who are trained and ready to lead and assist you with your hands-on learning.

Student Employment: Take It to the Next Level

Share your knowledge, broaden your experience and get paid
Tool Crib Attendants are tool librarians, parts suppliers, idea generators and problem solvers.
Fabrication Shop Hands work with lab staff, help run the shops and build things to support the program.
Civil Lab Technicians support courses and research, keep labs organized and do materials testing.
Electrical Lab Technicians work with lab manager, provide lab maintenance, make and repair electronics.
Rapid Prototyping Techs use our 3D printers and laser engraver to create prototypes and working parts for our students, staff and faculty.
Peer Mentors work with faculty, help teach labs and mentor students.
Tutor Session Leaders use their talents to serve as a learning resource to fellow students.