People in all fields now have the opportunity to build model airplanes or create their own 3-D video game characters right on campus.
The A² Fab Lab, located in Room 307 of the Architecture Building, recently expanded its capabilities to allow all UF students, faculty and staff to use its facilities.
“Once people see this technology in action and understand it, everyone will be blown away,” said lab manager Mat Chandler.
“Their creative minds will be rolling to create the next big thing.”
The lab has been open for three years, he said, but until now, its audience has been primarily arts and architecture students. Users can experiment with 3-D printing, 3-D scanning and laser-cutting capabilities.
The lab will host an open house on Thursday for students, faculty and staff to see live demonstrations, buy memberships and see work made from the machines.
Discounted memberships are $75 until Nov. 1. The price will become $110 for the rest of the semester.
Chandler said about 125 students currently use the lab.
Taejin Kim, a 31-year-old doctoral student of interior design, hasn’t used the lab yet, but he said that he plans to work in the lab in the future.
“Knowing how to use this technology is very useful,” Kim said. “I need to use this equipment to have a leg up on others who are unfamiliar with this technology.”
In order to use the equipment, students must attend an orientation class, Chandler said.
Lab assistants will teach students how to use software like AutoCAD and Adobe Illustrator.
“This lab is going to create a wave of creativity throughout the university that is going to change the way we think about the making of objects,” he said.
Sorina Vaziri, a 21-year-old UF art senior, uses a computer in the A2 Fab Lab to design her flower pattern that will be engraved on animal hide.
