Overview

The Design Fabrication Lab's (dFAB Lab) facilities include multiple digitally-controlled equipment platforms. Each process and procedure is carried out by a digital workflow coordinated by the operator. The digital workflow consists of several items, but primarily utilizes software and application environments in which the operator develops, edits, and processes 2D and 3D geometry. These digital environments are sorted into three (3) tier groups:

  • Primary: Primary applications are typically CAD (computer aided drafting/design) environments. Users begin their workflow from this tier by developing 2D and/or 3D geometry that will eventually be utilized for a secondary environment.
  • Secondary: Secondary applications usually take the primary application geometry, and provide an interface in which the user might adjust/edit settings affiliated with the method in which the chosen equipment processes the geometry. 
  • Bridge: Bridge applications communicate the information developed from the secondary application to the equipment. Users are trained on every detail of the digital workflow, including material/tool selection, and the software/application environments. A list of available dFAB software/application environments, organized by tier, is listed below.
     

TIER 1 – PRIMARY ENVIRONMENTS

  • Rhinoceros 3D
  • Grasshopper
     

TIER 2 – SECONDARY ENVIRONMENTS

  • 3DPrint
  • Objet Studio
  • CatalystEX
  • RhinoCAM
  • MasterCAM
  • Epilog Dashboard
  • HAL
  • RobotMaster
  • RobotStudio
     

TIER 3 – BRIDGE ENVIRONMENTS

  • WINCNC
  • 3DPrint
  • Objet Studio
  • CatalystEX
  • RobotStudio