{"id":582823,"date":"2024-11-14T14:42:38","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T19:42:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.utk.edu\/iamm\/?page_id=582823"},"modified":"2026-05-12T11:52:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T15:52:24","slug":"manufacturing-core","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.utk.edu\/iamm\/about\/core-facilities\/manufacturing-core\/","title":{"rendered":"Manufacturing Core"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

The Manufacturing Core at the University of Tennessee (MCUT), formerly the MABE Maker Lab, aims to support advanced manufacturing needs at UT and the local area. We serve many groups, including undergraduate and graduate students, research labs, and both engineering and non engineering departments. We offer diverse additive and subtractive manufacturing services on a for fee basis at low rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff<\/summary>
\n
\n
\n

Matthew A. Young<\/strong>, PhD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eastman Assistant Professor of Practice, MCUT Faculty Advisor<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Karl Welti<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lab Manager
Email: kwelti@utk.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Isaac Counts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lab Assistant
Email: icounts@vols.utk.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
User Rates<\/summary>
\n

MCUT offers low hourly rates, and customers pay directly for material usage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Additive Manufacturing Hourly Rates<\/th>Internal<\/strong> (UT)<\/th>External<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Industrial Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)<\/strong>
\u25aa 18\u201d x 18\u201d x 32\u201d max build size
\u25aa Support material capabilities
\u25aa Material offerings include ABS, ASA, PC, PC-ABS<\/td>		$3.00<\/td>$4.60<\/td><\/tr>
High Temperature Industrial FFF<\/strong>
\u25aa 18\u201d x 18\u201d x 32\u201d max build size
\u25aa Support material capabilities
\u25aa Capable of fiber filled materials
\u25aa Material offerings include CF-ABS, PEEK, CF-PEEK,
PEI 1010, PEI 9085<\/td>		$11.35<\/td>$17.50<\/td><\/tr>
Desktop FFF<\/strong>
\u25aa 9.8\u201d x 8.3\u201d x 8.3\u201d max build size
\u25aa Good for cheap and fast prototypes<\/td>		$2.30<\/td>$3.50<\/td><\/tr>
Industrial Stereolithography<\/strong>
\u25aa 5.7\u201d x 5.7\u201d x 7.3\u201d max build size
\u25aa Post processing, curing, and clean up included
\u25aa Variety of resins available: clear, tough, flexible,
high temperature, and more<\/td>		$4.50<\/td>$7.00<\/td><\/tr>
Selective Laser Melting<\/strong>
\u25aa 10.8\u201d x 10.8\u201d x 12.6\u201d max build size
\u25aa 316L stainless steel only<\/td>		$14.00<\/td>$21.50<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Subtractive Manufacturing Hourly Rates<\/th>Internal<\/strong> (UT)<\/th>External<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
CNC Machining<\/strong>
\u25aa CNC milling and turning capable
\u25aa Direct input on design manufacturability
\u25aa Able to process a wide range of materials from
metals to fiber filled polymers<\/td>		$29.00<\/td>$44.50<\/td><\/tr>
Waterjet Cutting<\/strong>
\u25aa 26\u201d x 26\u201d cut size, 28\u201d x 30\u201d max stock size
\u25aa Can cut tough metals up to a few inches thick
\u25aa Able to process a wide range of materials from
metals to fiber filled polymers<\/td>		$31.00<\/td>$47.50<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Metrology Hourly Rates<\/th>Internal<\/strong> (UT)<\/th>External<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Structured Light 3D Scanning<\/strong>
\u25aa Able to capture features down to 0.005\u201d
\u25aa Best for smaller detailed objects
\u25aa Generate mesh and CAD files<\/td>		$14.00<\/td>$21.50<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

User rates subject to change without notice. Contact mcut@utk.edu for quotes, information, and part manufacturability.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Equipment<\/summary>
\n

To access video tutorials for MCUT equipment, visit the Forms and Resources page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industrial Grade 3D Printers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fortus 450mc<\/summary>
\n

The FORTUS 450mc uses Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology to create precise prototypes and end-use parts. With a large build volume of 16 x 14 x 16 inches, it can handle big projects or multiple smaller ones at once. The printer supports a wide range of thermoplastics, including high-performance materials like ULTEM\u2122 9085 and Antero 800NA, making it ideal for industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical. Key features include a fully heated build chamber for consistent quality. It is commonly used for prototyping, manufacturing tooling, and low-volume production parts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

FORTUS 400mc and 250mc<\/summary>
\n

The FORTUS 400mc is the second largest of the MCUT\u2019s 3D printers. It holds up to two 92 cubic inch canisters of both support and part material. The 400mc is capable of using a multitude of different plastics and is instrumental in producing parts for senior design projects and many ongoing research projects. The 250mc is smaller, only uses a single type of material, and operates at temperatures lower than those of the 400mc. The 250mc holds approximately a quarter of the total material that the 400 holds. However, what the 250mc lacks in versatility, it makes up for in speed. Both FORTUS printers are capable of soluble support material for complex parts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

FORTUS  <\/em>370mc<\/summary>
\n

The FORTUS 370mc uses Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology to produce precise prototypes and end-use parts. With a build volume of 14 x 10 x 14 inches, it can handle a variety of projects. The printer supports a range of materials, including carbon fiber and other engineering-grade thermoplastics. Key features include soluble support material for complex designs. It is ideal for prototyping, tooling, and low-volume production.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Gearbox HT2<\/summary>
\n

The GEARBOX HT2 is the latest addition to the MCUT. It is one of the first open source high temperature filament printers on the market that offers support material and a large build area. Since it is open source, we can accommodate specialized slicing requests. It is planned to primarily use the system for cheaper, stronger parts in ULTEM 1010.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Consumer Grade 3D Printers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Prusa Mk3s<\/summary>
\n

The Prusa Mk3s is an entry level printer with surprisingly high resolution. This printer runs on open source software and filament. It produces parts with high quality and resolution that often rival industrial systems. This makes it a great option for low cost but high quality prototyping.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Cube Printer Farm<\/summary>
\n

The Cube Printer Farm will be a set of 14 3D Systems Cube 3 printers converted to RepRap (open source). This will allow for mass printing small objects or breaking up a large object into many parts to drastically reduce print time. These printers will run basic PLA and will be hooked into one server. It is anticipated this project will be completed later this year.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Formlabs Form 3B (SLA)<\/summary>
\n

The Formlabs Form 3B is a Stereolithographic (SLA) 3D printer that utilizes Digital Laser Projection (DLP) to cure UV sensitive resin. The printer is capable of resolution ranging from 25-100 microns and has a maximum build size of 14.5cm x 14.5cm x 18.5cm. We also house washing and curing chambers for post-processing. We can polish clear parts upon request. Flexible resin is available, and is the most flexible material we can process in the Manufacturing Core. High temperature resin is available for applications ranging up to 240C.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3D Scanners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Artec Spider<\/summary>
\n

The Artec Spider is a high resolution, hand held, blue light 3D scanner. It has a 3D resolution of 0.1mm and 18GB of internal memory. Scanned files can be exported in multiple formats optimized for 3D modeling or geometric analysis.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Machining<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
HAAS TL1 Lathe<\/summary>
\n

The HAAS TL1 Lathe is a CNC lathe with a 12-horsepower drive and is capable of spindle speeds up to 2000 rpm. The lathe can be operated either manually or from a CNC controller. The lathe can feed at rates up to 450 inches per minute in both the x- and z-axes. It is excellent for general turning purposes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

HAAS VF4 CNC Mill<\/summary>
\n

MCUT\u2019s CNC mill is a HAAS VF4 with a 30-horsepower drive. The spindle can reach speeds of up to 8100 rpm. It is an excellent system for general milling. We have many fixturing & tooling options for large metal stock down to small plastic parts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

HAAS OM2 CNC Mill<\/summary>
\n

MCUT has a HAAS OM2 CNC machine used for small scale machining. The 5-horsepower drive can produce spindle speed of up to 30,000 rpm and feed rates of up to 757 inches per minute in the x-, y-, and z-axes. The small machining volume and rapid speeds make this machine ideal for small, precise prototype parts. It is retrofitted with air filtration to enable graphite and other hazardous material milling.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMAX 2626 JetMachining Center<\/summary>
\n

The OMAX 2626 JetMachining Center is an abrasive water-jet cutter capable of producing water pressures up to 50,000 psi. The water-jet cutter is useful for cutting sheet materials that are up to a thicknesses of more than an inch. Materials that can be cut include plexiglass, acrylic, aluminum, and some kinds of steel. Using the proprietary OMAX software, long and complex series of cuts can be made with exceptional precision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Information and Guidelines<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please bring your stock and a flash drive with your .dxf file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fast cuts take about 30mins, standard 1hr, and longer 1.5-2 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n