3D Fabrication Lab
The 3D Fabrication Lab is part of the wider level 3 fabrication facility, which also includes the Digital Fabrication Studio and Wet Lab. We provide support and training on fabrication techniques, including woodworking, metalworking and CNC routing.
Who can use the 3D Fabrication Lab?
The lab can be used by art and design students, researchers, staff and approved external partners who have completed a WM level 3 health and safety induction. We are available during scheduled workshops and open access times.
Technical staff
Our technical staff support your learning through making. As passionate artists and designers, they can guide you through the planning and construction of your projects using a wide range of fabrication techniques, including:
- Wood machining, construction and finishing
- CNC machining of 2D and 3D forms
- Metal fabrication, machining, welding and casting
- Plastic moulding
Facilities and equipment include:
Woodwork workshop
You can explore traditional furniture making, carving, and sculptural work using our power tools, hand tools and wide range of major machines, including a:
- Panel saw, mitre saws, and bandsaws
- Surface planer and thicknesser
- Wide belt sander and edge sander
- Lathes, spindle moulder, and drill press
Metalwork workshop
In the metalwork workshop you can work with metal cutting and shaping, blacksmithing, metal casting, welding, machining and plastic heat processes for bending and forming plastics. Equipment in the metalwork area includes a:
- Cold cut saw and bandsaws
- MIG welder, TIG welder, spot welder, and brazing torch
- Lathe and milling machine
- Sheet metal roller and bender
- Pipe rollers and benders
- Oxy-fuel torch and plasma cutter
- Vacuum former, line bender, and impulse sealer
CNC router room
The CNC room houses our three and four-axis CNC routers. These are computer-controlled routers which shape material into 2D or 3D objects from a CAD file. We can use wood, polystyrene, plaster and aluminium, among other materials, on these machines.
Contact us
For more information about the 3D Fabrication Lab or to discuss research opportunities, please contact angus.roberts@aut.ac.nz
Visit the 3D Fabrication Labs
AUT City Campus
Room 301
Level 3, WM building
Use MazeMap to find the studios
Research in art and design
We believe in high-quality research that has impact and have world-class researchers and research strengths across art and design.