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Workshop

Location: SID 109

Student 3D experiences are a vital part of the school’s educational values. The workshop facility is equipped to support hands-on discovery of three-dimensional design solutions and materials research. The workshop includes various work areas: the Bench Room, the Machine Room, and the Basement Studios. The workshop stores a variety of materials and supplies available for purchase from solid wood and raw clay to sheet goods and paper products. Knowledgeable technicians provide safety training, and help students become familiar with tools, equipment, materials, and fabrication processes. Technicians also support student design explorations through demonstrations, fabrication guidance, and machining operations.

 

Bench Room

The Bench Room is where the majority of project planning, assembly, and general workshop tasks are completed, and where workshop-based classes take place. Students have access to a variety of tools, supplies, and equipment: hand tools, clamps, adhesives, sandpaper, finishing supplies, hardware, and specialty form-making equipment. 

Bench Room Equipment:

  • hand tools
  • supplies, hardware, finishes, adhesives, clamps
  • large format paper cutter
  • vacuum forming machine (24”x24” bed size)
  • heat guns, heat bending rod
  • industrial screw press, book-binding press
  • foam cutters

 

Machine Room

The Machine Room is equipped with stationary woodworking machinery, a full-size CNC 3-axis router, and a variety of portable power tools. Students receive access to the majority of the machine room equipment upon the completion of a practical training session given to all incoming students to outline and review best practices for safety and general workshop operations. Further training is given on a needs basis for specialty equipment and advanced technique. Students are encouraged to ask for guidance from workshop technicians should they need assistance with machine operations. 

Machine Room Equipment:

  • 3-Axis CNC router (48” x 96” bed size)
  • bandsaws, scroll saws, table saw, mitre saw, panel saw
  • planer/jointer combination machine, benchtop planer
  • lathe, router table
  • belt/disc. sander, spindle sander, edge sander, thickness sander
  • drill presses, drills/drivers
  • portable power sanding tools
  • trim routers, domino jointer, jigsaw, track saw
  • rotary tools and pneumatic equipment
  • sandblaster
  • light-duty metalworking equipment: shear, bending tools, rivet guns, etc.

 

Basement Studios

The Basement Studios are dedicated to casting processes, ceramics, and other form-making exercises. The Casting Studio supports various casting and form-making operations. Formwork jigs, hand tools, mixing supplies, and dedicated stationary equipment are available for student use. The SID Workshop stocks a variety of casting supplies, available for purchase. The Ceramics Studio supports a variety of clay-working operations including hand and slab building, wheel throwing, slip casting, and glazing. The SID Workshop stocks clay available for purchase, and a variety of underglazes and glazes are available for student use. Students have access to an electric kiln that is operated by workshop technicians on a dedicated firing schedule throughout each academic term.

Basement Studio Equipment:

  • casting and ceramics hand tools and supplies
  • formwork jigs and mixing supplies, drying boxes
  • clay hand-building and glazing stations
  • large slab roller
  • electric pottery wheel
  • electric kiln

 

Material + Supply Purchases

The SID Workshop stocks a variety of materials commonly required for coursework, model-making, and full-scale construction. Students can save time and money by purchasing materials from the workshop that are ordered in bulk and sold at cost. Large format sheet goods are cut down into a variety of standard sizes to reflect student project needs. 

Available Materials:

  • paper products: cardboard, cardstock, millboard, matboard, etc.
  • wood products: solid boards, dowels, milled sticks, veneer, etc.
  • sheet goods: MDF, plywood, etc.
  • plastic products: acrylic sheet and dowel, vacuum forming plastics, acetate, etc.
  • casting + ceramics materials: plaster, clay, glazes, etc.
  • metals: copper, aluminium, and brass tubes, rods, and strips