Digital Fabrication Lab

The Taubman College Fabrication and Robotics Lab (FABLab) supports research and teaching activities in digital fabrication, robotic construction, and physical making across a wide range of materials and processes. It is recognized as one of the premier facilities among academic institutions worldwide. 

The FABLab provides students and faculty at Taubman College with extensive access to industrial machinery and the expertise to apply it to real-world architecture and building construction challenges. The Lab conducts fundamental and applied research with numerous industry partners and national funding institutions. The FABLab works with faculty and students on cutting-edge techniques which have the potential to transform practice in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction. These efforts have resulted in the development of multiple novel fabrication processes, numerous patents, and an extensive number of built projects and publications. 

Equipment

In the Lab, students and faculty experiment and conduct research using an array of robotic and CNC equipment, including:

  • 7 Kuka industrial robots
  • 2 Universal robots
  • 2 3-axis routers
  • 1 5-axis router
  • 1 3-axis vertical machining center for metals
  • 1 3-axis waterjet
  • 1 3-axis digital knife cutter
  • 2 industrial CNC knitting machines
  • Laser cutters
  • 3D printers

These machines are supported by traditional metalworking tools, assembly areas, and collaborative teaching workspaces. Information about these machines and access can be found on the Taubman Intranet FABLab page.

Arch 552 Institutions Chen Huang, "A Dream of Pig Machines"

Students at all levels are trained to operate these machines through coursework, orientation sessions, and specific training sessions. The Lab also maintains a substantial staff of student technicians who are trained to operate machines, advise in fabrication techniques, and support the production of both faculty and student projects. 

Ultimately, the goal of the Taubman Fabrication and Robotics Lab is to question how technology can contribute to a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable built environment. Architecture sits at the crossroads of engineering, design, and construction. How do we build tomorrow?