Labs in the CAT Building
The Center for Applied Technology provides high-demand programs taught by experienced professionals working with students in high-tech labs. Our programs are distinguished by preparing you to not just join, but lead teams in construction management, drafting and design, computer information systems and computer science, skilled and technical sciences education, manufacturing management, safety management, and engineering technology.
View a virtual tour of the CAT Building
Automated Manufacturing Lab
The manufacturing and metals lab is used by students to design, set up, and operate CIM cells and learn about mass production – from customer orders and inventory control, through automated manufacturing of materials, and into finished parts to quality inspection and final delivery. The lab features sheet metal equipment and a computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) cell. Students design, setup, and operate CIM cells and learn about mass production, inventory control, and quality inspection.
Equipment / Features:
- CIM cell
- ACER surface grinder
- CNC and manual mills
- CNC and manual lathes
- Horizontal and vertical band saws
- Plastics injection molder
- Drill presses (large and small)
- Ironworker machine
- Jump shear
- Sheet metal table with box and pan brake, seamer, and form roller
- Planishing hammer
- Bender
- Grinders
- French wheel
- Rotational molds
- Metal brakes
- Metal worktables
Construction/Woods Lab
The construction and woods lab is located on the main floor of the CAT building and is used by industrial technology majors. The lab features all the tools needed for construction and carpentry jobs. Equipment includes new band saws, miter box saw, table saw, jointer, lathe, surface planer, and a Swift CNC router.
Equipment / Features:
- Swift CNC router
- Pneumatic clamping table
- Sanding tables
- Dual drum sander
- Disc sander
- Drill presses
- Panel saw
- Miter box saw
- Band saws
- Table saws
- Lathes
- Jointer
- Routers
- Surface planer
- Worktables
- Spray booth
Computer Labs
Computer labs are located throughout the CAT building and feature dual monitors at each computer station and several overhead monitors for classroom instruction and screen sharing. For industrial technology majors, computers feature the latest CAD software and labs contain multiple 3D printers. For students in computer science and computer information systems, dual monitors are especially helpful while learning new programming languages.
Drafting and Design Lab
The drafting and design lab features new computers with dual monitors and the latest CAD software, as well as multiple 3D printers.
Networking Lab
The networking lab is used by students in the computer information systems and computer science majors. Multiple project pods with rollable networking racks allow students to design and simulate various network environments. The server room contains state-of-the-art servers for studying virtual environments, cloud computing, and more. Special project pods support Raspberry Pi and Arduino boards for more hands-on experiments in cluster computing, mobile development, and machine learning.
Power and Energy Lab
The Power and Energy Lab is located on the main level of the CAT building and is used by students for classes in energy, power, and transportation systems, as well as electronics. Lessons in this lab may include small engines, hydraulics, and pneumatics. The lab is used by students in the manufacturing management or skilled and technical sciences education programs.
Robotics Lab
Located on the second floor of the CAT building, students learn the programming fundamentals required for the different uses of robotics in math, computer science, computer information systems, skilled and technical sciences education, and the manufacturing management programs. In the Robotics Lab, you'll even get to build robots and turn them loose in a practice arena to prepare for regional and national robotics competitions.
Welding Lab
This lab is used by students in the Technology and Applied Science Department for the industrial technology programs and skilled and technical sciences education program. The lab provides an environment for students to develop their welding skills and learn different techniques.
Equipment / Features:
- Fronius® MIG and TIG welders
- CNC JobMaster® plasma cutter
- Miller Spectrum® 625 plasma cutter
- Acetylene welders
- Downdraft tables
- Sand mulling machine
- Grinder
- Chop saw table
- Heat treat furnace
- Melting furnace
- Mold-making bench
- Pouring pit / foundry
