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Session 3248

From the Ground Up: The Challenges and Triumphs of Building a New Multi-use Lab

Elizabeth A. Scholle, Robert A. Merrill Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering Technology Rochester Institute of Technology

Abstract:

After twenty-eight years of sharing labs with Rochester Institute of Technology’s Mechanical Engineering Department, the Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering Technology Department had the opportunity to develop new laboratory facilities due to enrollment growth in both departments. The Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering Technology Department had nine months to design, equip, and implement a multi-use lab in a new building. The lab had to serve courses in materials testing, statics, strength of materials, dynamics, geometric dimensioning & tolerancing, and hydraulics in order to maximize space utilization. The budget established for this was approximately $240k.

This paper describes the process that was followed from conceptual design to class use. Some of the important aspects of the process were 1) the challenges resulting from having multiple classes, and most faculty, sharing space; 2) the process of selecting equipment which balanced educational needs, budget, and lead time restrictions; and 3) the involvement of students projects to design and build lab equipment as well as to ameliorate the noise and vibration concerns raised by other departments occupying the building.

Background:

The engineering technology programs at RIT have shared space in the James Gleason Building at RIT with the engineering programs since they were started in 1970. Over the years, both the engineering technology and engineering programs have expanded. New programs have been added in both areas requiring additional space for laboratories and faculty offices. To accommodate the growth, several classrooms were converted to laboratories and office areas and additional space was found in other buildings. This resulted in a reduction of several classrooms in the Gleason Building, and faculty and laboratories for both engineering technology and engineering were spread between several buildings. In addition, the Gleason Building, which was constructed in 1968, lacked the infrastructure to support the complex and changing needs for the programs it supported.

In 1994, a joint task force of engineering technology and engineering faculty, staff and administrators was formed to plan the renovation of the Gleason Building. This group met

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Merrill, R. A., & Scholle, E. A. (2000, June), From The Ground Up: The Challenges And Triumphs Of Building A New Multi Use Lab Paper presented at 2000 Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. 10.18260/1-2--8398