Prototyping
Labs

Work in Dedicated On-Site Prototyping Labs

Students in the MS in Technology Innovation program have exclusive access to the facilities at the University of Washington’s Global Innovation Exchange. Steps away from our classrooms, our labs and workspaces have been designed to enable emerging technology leaders to transform ideas into innovations.

The Makerspace

Robotics Lab

The Shops

Hardware Prototyping Lab

Rapid Prototyping Bay

The Makerspace

The large cooperative work area at the center of the Labs is affectionately called the Makerspace. This area includes worktables, model-making supplies, drawing tools, and a variety of other maker technologies that don’t fit the confines of a specific lab. Students, faculty, staff, and other members of our community interact and collaborate on design and prototyping solutions that address the unique challenges of their projects. Here you can explore form-finding, fabrication, and assembly techniques, and create complex parts and assemblies using computer-controlled equipment.

Robotics Lab

The Robotics Lab is a multi-functional workspace that includes individual workstations, electronics workbenches, and mobility and manipulation robots for project use. Here you have access to a variety of robotics platforms and environments to explore human-robot interactions, including robotics pens, multiple Kinova manipulator arms, a drone net, and other tools for creating robotics solutions that can sense, navigate, and manipulate the dynamic world around them.

The Shops

At the heart of the Prototyping Labs students will find a variety of specialized tools and work areas that collectively comprise “The Shops.” Engaging with these facilities, which includes a wood and plastics shop, a milling and machine room, a CNC router room, a paint booth, and a large-format laser, you can learn to manipulate physical materials in three dimensions. Here you can explore form-finding, fabrication, and assembly techniques, and create complex parts and assemblies using computer-controlled equipment.

Hardware Prototyping Lab

The Hardware Prototyping Lab is a dedicated space for developing, testing, and fabricating electronics hardware prototypes. It houses several fully equipped electronic workstations, a full line of printed circuit board (PCB) prototyping equipment, and a library of materials and components available to all users.

Rapid Prototyping Bay

The Rapid Prototyping Bay adjacent to the Makerspace houses a variety of self-service and full-service 3D printing and laser cutting technologies. Laser cutting and 3D printing are the most popular maker technologies in the Prototyping Labs. With more than 6 laser cutters and 30 3D printers of various types, the Labs have substantial capacity for rapid prototyping.

Where Ideas Become Innovations

This collaborative space at the heart of GIX provides an accessible environment where students can explore new prototyping approaches, apply what they have learned in class, and work with expert staff to gain skills relevant to their projects and interests.

Put Ideas into Practice

Technology innovation concepts become tangible for students who learn practical skills like soldering, 3D fabrication, PCB design, and more. Students have free access to required materials, tools, and spaces that enable them transform concepts into prototypes.

Fully Staffed, Fully Supported

Knowlegable expert staff supported by student crew are on-site to assist with all aspects of the prototype development including design, production, and iteration. Staff can assist with electronics and PCB prototyping, programming, 3D printing, CAD drafting, laser cutting, and CNC machining. Highly qualified students can apply for the paid crew posititions each fall.

Hands-on Workshops

Students have access to hands-on workshops throughout the year where they can explore new prototyping concepts. Past workshops have included mold making, felting, epoxy casting, and many more. These quick workshops give students the opportunity to spend time learning with friends while learning new skills.

Working in the GIX Prototyping Labs has been one of the most memorable parts of the experience for me. It has allowed me to participate in the making and hacking community.

Chuck Scott (UW MSTI 2020) Product Owner, Solventum