“FIZ gives our students the resources they need to pursue their creativity,” said John Schneider, Voiland’s associate dean of undergraduate programs. Totaling more than 3000 square feet, the FIZ is made up of a wood fabrication studio, a metal fabrication studio, a desktop fabrication studio, an electric testing and fabrication studio, a community studio and a service center. FIZ’s wood fabricatio
n studio gives students the freedom to perform all the basic woodworking operations. It is equipped with the tools that are available in a standard wood shop. Cutting, drilling, and sanding can be done to realize an endless range of wood-based projects. The metal fabrication studio is similarly equipped to allow students to work with metal. The equipment is suited for sheet metal work, cutting, drilling and general fabrication. More advanced metal machining needs are met through the use of partner studios across the college. There is a lot of interest in the continued development of our electrical test and fabrication studio. Students will be able to design and make their own circuit boards. “We’re looking forward to making, testing and repairing the circuit boards we design.” said mechanical engineering student Jason Murphy. FIZ’s desktop fabrication lab consists mainly of 3-D printers and a laser engraver and cutter, giving students the ability to develop parts for their projects quickly, accurately, and precisely. The community studio provides students with access to computers and design software. They can practice presentations and test the large screen display of their posters by using the overhead projector or the TV screens. Clubs and student organizations frequently use the community studio to run their meetings and host their events. If students need to work on a project at a different location, students can check out tools from the FIZ’s service center, which also sells equipment and materials for academic or personal use at competitive prices.
