Mechanical and Bioengineering Labs

Future-Focused Facilities

Valparaiso’s Mechanical and Bioengineering Labs prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges through immersive learning in cutting-edge areas like 3D printing, robotics, and sustainable energy systems.

First Things First

Let’s Explore

Civil and Environmental Engineering Labs

Markiewicz Solar Research Facility

Mechanical and Bioengineering Labs

Electrical and Computer Engineering Labs

Fites Innovation Center

College of Engineering

Hands-On Skill Building

Accelerated 3D Printing Lab

Spyder Delta 3D Printers
The Spyder deltas are the workhorses of Valpo’s College of Engineering. They are custom designed and fabricated in-house to support the wide variety of student projects. These printers are FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) style printers that can print PETG, PLA, Nylon, and TPU/TPE.
Formlabs Form 2
The Formlabs printer utilizes SLA (Stereolithography) technology that allows for high-resolution prints in a variety of materials. Students have the ability to print in ‘tough’ polymers, flexible silicone-like materials, and true ceramics.
Markforged Mark Two
The Markforged printer utilizes CCF (Continuous Caron Fiber) printing technology that embeds carbon fiber or fiberglass strands into nylon prints. This machine allows for parts that have near-aluminum rigidity.
Prusa i3
Prusa printers are used primarily to test out new materials, and/or to print additional parts if the Spyder printers are full. They also use FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) technology.
Mosaic Palette 2
The Mosaic filament combiner allows for multi-colored and multi-material prints on the FFF printers. Valpo is performing research on the machine to see how combining different filament types can result in unique material properties.
Epilog Fiber Fusion 50W Laser
The Fusion is a fiber-based laser that allows for etchings of metals and ceramics. The main use in the College of Engineering is to fabricate circuit boards in-house, and to mark stainless materials.
Epilog Mini1812 CO2 40W Laser
The Mini laser is used for cutting and engraving of mostly polymer and organic materials. It is especially useful for fabricating jigs, and cutting out polymer or wood components for student projects.

Energy Systems

The Energy Systems Suite is home to the Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, the Mechanical Measurements Laboratory, the Engine Test Cell, and the Small Engines Laboratory. This facility provides the opportunity to study the laws governing work, heat, and energy conversion and to explore the use of standard measurement equipment, calibration techniques, and computer data acquisition.

Fluid Dynamics Laboratory: students explore fundamental fluid dynamics concepts using the wind tunnel and the supersonic nozzle.

Mechanical Measurements Laboratory: students learn the science of experimental methods by working with state-of-the-art measurement equipment, calibration techniques, and computer data acquisition.
Engine Test Cell: students explore and analyze the performance of a Caterpillar diesel engine.

Small Engines Laboratory: students operate a Cooperative Fuel Research engine and a natural gas turbine to study their performance and compare to theory discussed in their thermodynamics coursework.

Mechanical Measurements Laboratory
Oscilloscopes
National Instruments Data Acquisition and Signal Processing Hardware
LabVIEW Software
Function Generators
Heat Power Laboratory
Axial Flow Fan
Wind Tunnel
Diesel Engine
Gasoline Engine
Gas Turbine
Supersonic Nozzle
Solar Collector
Heat Pump
Wind Turbine
Thermodynamics II
Cooperative Fuel Research Engine

Material Science and Engineering

The materials science and engineering laboratory provides students with hands-on experience in materials science and engineering:

MTS Tensile Tester
MTS Fatique Tester
Microscopes
High Temperature Ovens
Mechanical Rolling Station
Cut-off Saw

Mechatronics, Vibrations, and Controls

The mechatronics, vibrations, and controls laboratory provides students with hands-on experience in four areas of mechanical engineering:

In mechatronics, students learn the fundamentals of automation such as digital logic, microcontrollers, programmable logic controllers, robotics, sensors, and pneumatics.
In vibrations, students learn how structures react to a variety of input forces.
In controls, students learn how to guide or regulate the operation of machines or processes.
In analog circuits, students learn how to design and implement electrical circuits.

Senior Design

The Senior Design Laboratory in the new Fites Engineering Innovation center is shared by mechanical, civil, and electrical and computer engineering students. Teams of civil engineering students are assigned to work areas that mimic the actual workplace environment that they will encounter upon graduation. Within these areas, the students collaborate on a two semester project to complete a civil engineering project. Examples of projects include highway interchanges, building structures, water removal systems, etc. As an added bonus, senior engineering students have their own workspace for study groups, computer use, etc.

James S. Markiewicz Manufacturing and Project Center

The James S. Markiewicz Manufacturing and Project Center includes the following laboratories:

Manufacturing Processes Laboratory
CNC Machining Laboratory
Welding Laboratory
Projects Laboratory

The laboratory is staffed by a full-time technician. After students are trained on the equipment, they may use the laboratory for student organization projects and Senior Design projects.

Projects Laboratory

During the fall semester, the projects laboratory is used by freshmen engineering students as part of the GE 100 course. During the spring semester, the projects laboratory is used by senior mechanical and electrical engineering students to assemble and test their senior design projects.

Equipment