What You'll Gain
Access to Venture Lab Prototyping Studio
The Prototyping studio offers basic hand tools, and 3D printing and laser cutting services free of charge.*
- 3D Print using Stratasys F120 Fused Deposition Modeling printers
- Laser cutting via our Epilog machines
*For 3D printing and laser cutting, submit your file on the Studios' Canvas site
Access to Advanced Fabrication Lab
The Advanced Fabrication Lab offers free CNC services and other emerging technologies.*
- Forest CNC Router can cut material up to 48"x48".
*Access by appointment only through our Canvas site.
Mechantronics Lab
Access to Mechatronics Lab for your electrical projects.
Equipment and Tool includes:
- Oscilloscopes
- Power supplies
- Function generators
- Soldering irons, and more
Hours vary throughout the semester, check our Canvas site.
Expertise & Mentorship
Access to our most valuable asset at the Studios, our team of knowledgeable Studio Technicians! Our spaces are always staffed by an interdisciplinary team of graduate Integrated Product Design students who run our equipment and can help answer questions on whatever you want to make.
Workshops & Events
Our workshops are a great way to get started making things at the Studios! Our workshops are designed to engage members at any skill level, so no experience is necessary. Workshops are announced on our Canvas site, or keep up to date by following us on Instagram @StudiosAtVentureLab!
The Engineering Studios @ Venture Lab offers a wide variety of equipment and tool ranging from state of the art 3D printers to sewing machines to meet your innovation needs.
Access
Canvas access and safety training required for file submissions and access to the studios
Fall & Spring Semester Operating Hours:
Monday - Thursday | 10a-10p
Friday | 10a-7p
Saturday-Sunday | 12p-7p
Fall & Spring Semester Operating Hours:
Monday - Thursday | 10a-10p
Friday | 10a-7p
Saturday-Sunday | 12p-7p
Join Venture Lab's membership to get added to the Engineering Studios Canvas site
Register and Attend an In-Person Safety Training through our Eventbrite page.
FAQ
What's the status of my 3D printing job?
Come to the Studio during operating hours and talk to a Studio Technician - we are happy to update you on the status of your submission! We do not provide status updates via email for 3D printing jobs. Often Technicians will put comments on your Canvas submissions to track their progress through our system (currently printing, in support removal bath, etc) which will give you an idea of the status.
How many 3D printed parts / lasercut jobs can I submit in a semester?
You can submit up to 20 3D printed parts and 30 lasercutting jobs a semester. Your job quota reset three times a year - fall semester, spring semester, and summer session. And it's all free of charge!
I only need to 3D print something, do I need to complete the In-Person Safety Training?
Yes. The In-Person Safety Training covers essential guidelines for working safely and cleanly in our workspace and provides specific information you will need to access our 3D printing services.
I have already completed a training for another fabrication lab on campus, do I need to complete the In-Person training for the Engineering Studios too?
Yes. The University requires separate trainings and certifications for each lab. The Engineering Studios has its own unique tools, processes, and safety protocols that you’ll need to know before getting started here.
How many lasercutting jobs can I submit in a day / at one time?
It depends. On busier days, Technicians will triage submissions to ensure the greatest number of members can have their jobs processed. This means not all of your boards may be cut at once. Technicians also reserve the right to decline certain laser cutting submissions, or recommend a different day/time, if the job is considered time‑consuming (over 1 hour) and/or outside the scope of the typical projects we process at the Engineering Studios. As a reminder, you can submit up to 30 lasercutting jobs a semester.
Why is my 3D print leaking liquid?
Most 3D prints are post-processed in our support removal bath. If you pick up your part shortly after it’s removed and before it has time to fully drain, it may leak for a few hours. To speed up the drying process, you can ask a tech to place your part in the vacuum degassing chamber for a few minutes.
Can I make fun stuff not for classes?
Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it. The only constraint is we want to see your original designs - please don't submit files directly downloaded from online to our 3D printing services (like licensed figurines - no Pokémon or Labubu's please!). Our friends at the Education Commons can help you if you'd like to experiment with existing design files.
Why was I denied entry to Tangen Hall on an evening/weekend?
You must have Venture Lab membership in order to get evening and weekend access.
Meet The Engineering Studio Tech: Kausi Raman
Co-Founder & CEO, ChompShop
Kausi was part of the inaugural team of studio technicians when the Engineering Studios opened in 2021, and played an integral role in setting up the space and became experts in our fabrication technologies.
Kausi leveraged her expertise to develop many iterations of ChompSaw prototypes here at the Studio. With additional support from VIP-X, Venture Lab’s in-house startup accelerator, Kausi was able to utilize our prototyping resources as a key part of her entrepreneurial journey.
Kausi was part of the inaugural team of studio technicians when the Engineering Studios opened in 2021, and played an integral role in setting up the space and became experts in our fabrication technologies.
Kausi leveraged her expertise to develop many iterations of ChompSaw prototypes here at the Studio. With additional support from VIP-X, Venture Lab’s in-house startup accelerator, Kausi was able to utilize our prototyping resources as a key part of her entrepreneurial journey.
Student Projects
The course centers around a sequence of three projects that each culminate in the design and fabrication of functional objects. A 2D Design, 3D Design, and final "Micro-Manufacturing" project will introduce students to a wide variety of design, engineering, and fabrication skills made possible by the Engineering Studios at Venture Lab.
The Engineering Studios at Venture Labs are a collection of workspaces and labs that house digital and analog fabrication technologies that empower the Penn community to make their ideas a reality. Makerspace on G/F specifically, is home to the Integrated Product Design courses, where students turn their brainchild into actual products and market these products to the wider Penn community.
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Startup Stories
Find out what's happening across the #entrePENNeur community! Want to tell your story? Contact us at venturelab@upenn.edu.
