Machine Shop Core

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UAB Center Core for Vision Science - Machine Shop Core Project Summary/Abstract The Machine Shop remains an essential Core servicing the researchers in Vision Science at UAB. It enables custom components to be designed and built to accommodate uncommon species (e.g. tree shrew, macaque) for which commercial equipment is unavailable or unsuitable for the novel science being pursued. The Core also enables new instruments to be built or commercially incompatible components to be melded for new purposes. Whenever it is practical to do so, all new device and component designs are now initiated with digital drawings in AutoCAD, which seamlessly operates with two new major pieces of equipment: a computer- numerically-controlled (CNC) milling machine and a 3-D printer for high-end materials. Our move to a digital platform streamlines the manufacturing process by minimizing trial-and-error in new devices and improves precision and repeatability. The digital approach also helps to educate trainees on the feasibility and practicality of their designs, as they can learn to visualize the final product without having to make it first. Our machinist is now experienced with on-going scientific projects by Core users, the wide range of new materials available (biocompatible alloys and plastics), and he routinely offers design and materials recommendations that improve and expedite project outcomes. The design process is further facilitated by the machinist’s recently acquired Associate degree in computer-aided drafting. Currently the Machine Shop Core is used extensively or moderately by 14 of the 25 Core Grant participants.