What is processing?
Materials Processing in Material Science includes a series of steps used in the manufacture of raw materials into finished goods. At the MILL, the Processing Team uses multiple techniques to process materials, including 3D printing (additive manufacturing), sewing and embroidery (textiles), ball mills and furnaces (ceramics processing), etc.
The processing team is led by Sophia Anderson. Please contact Sophia for more information!
Photo Gallery
Equipment List:
- Prusa i3 3D Printers
- Hyrel 3D Printers
- Prusa Resin Printer
- Granulator
- Filament Maker
- Glass Kiln
- Vinyl Cutter
- Sewing Machine
- Embroidery Machine
- Screen Printer
- Heat Press
- Rolling Ball Mill
- Planetary Ball Mill
- Uniaxial Press
- Melting Furnace
Prusa i3 3D Printers
Located in Main Lab (167)
SOP: Prusa i3 MK3S
Prusa i3 is an FDM printer for 3D printing. It has a maximum print temperature of 300C so it is capable of a range of higher temperature materials. The materials that can be printed in Prusa include PLA, TPU, PP, etc. It has great reliability and produces higher resolution prints.
Hyrel 3D Printers
Located in Processing Lab (150)
SOP: Hyrel 3D printer
Hyrel 3D printers can print a large range of materials. The Repetrel control software allows for great flexibility in varying processing parameters. Print in just one material, or experiment with combinations; the heads are modular and each printer can support up to four heads at once.
Prusa Resin Printer
Located in Main Lab (164)
SOP: Prusa SL1 & CW1
The Prusa Resin Printer implements stereolithography (SLA) printing by curing layers of thermoset resin using UV light.
Granulator
Located in Main Lab (164)
Granulator is used by the MILL to break down old 3D prints into smaller pieces so that the material can be recycled using the filament maker in Love 167. The Sustainability L&D team is primarily working on this project. Learn more about Sustainability here.
Filament Maker
Located in Main Lab (167)
SOP: 3devo Composer 450 Filament Maker SOP
The 3devo is used to create filaments that can be used in 3D printing. The extruder takes granules of polymer(s) mainly from the granulator located in Love 164, heats them, forms them into a strand of filament, and spools the filament. Our filament maker is used in conjunction with the Sustainability L&D team. Learn more about Sustainability here.
Glass Kiln
Located in Main Lab (174)
SOP: Paragon Fusion CS14D Glass Kiln
The glass kilns are used by the Science of Art team for glass fusing projects and events. Learn more about SOA here.
Vinyl Cutter
Located in Main Lab (167)
SOP: Brother CM350 ScanNCut Vinyl Cutter
The vinyl cutter turns user-generated patterns and designs into vinyl prints and is featured in Science of Art sticker events throughout each semester. Learn more about SOA here.
Sewing Machine
Located in Main Lab (164)
SOP: Brother SQ9185 Sewing Machine
The sewing machine is used to sew fabrics and materials together with a thread. It is used in conjunction with the Textiles L&D team. Learn more about Textiles here.
Embroidery Machine
Located in Main Lab (164)
SOP: Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine
The embroidery machine is used to create patterns on textiles. It is used in conjunction with the Textiles L&D team. Learn more about Textiles here.
Screen Printer
Located in Main Lab (164)
SOP: Screen Printer
The screen printer uses a printing technique where a mesh is used to transfer ink or dye onto a substrate, except in areas made impermeable to the ink by a blocking stencil. It is commonly used in conjunction with our heat press. If interested in using this piece of equipment, please contact the processing team’s CTO.
Heat Press
Located in Main Lab (164)
SOP: F2C Pro Heat Press
The F2C Pro heat press is used to stamp designs onto various textiles, including t-shirts. It is commonly used in conjunction with our screen printer. If interested in using this piece of equipment, please contact the processing team’s CTO.
Rolling Ball Mill
Located in Ceramics Lab (369)
SOP: US Stoneware 784AVM Rolling Ball Mill
Use the MILL’s US Stoneware rolling ball mill for comminution. This has a variety of applications in powder processing where smaller powder sizes may be preferable for solid-state diffusion. If interested in using this piece of equipment, please contact the processing team’s CTO.
Planetary Ball Mill
Located in Ceramics Lab (369)
SOP: Across International PQ-N04 Planetary Ball MILL
The Across International planetary ball mill is used when even finer particle sizes are necessary when compared to our rolling ball mill. If interested in using this piece of equipment, please contact the processing team’s CTO.
Uniaxial Press
Located in Ceramics Lab (369)
SOP: Carver 3851 Uniaxial Press
The uniaxial press is used to sinter a ceramic or cut a piece of material using a die. The plates of the press can be heated to a user-specified temperature. If interested in using this piece of equipment, please contact the processing team’s CTO.
Melting Furnace
Located in Ceramics Lab (369)
SOP: REX-C100 Electric Melting Furnace
The melting furnace is used to melt metals like Cu (1084.62°C), silver (961.78°C), gold (1064.18°C), and noble metals. If interested in using this piece of equipment, please contact the processing team’s CTO.
