Materials Research Laboratory
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Machine Shop
The MRL Machine Shop focuses on making special one-of-a-kind research equipment to order. The shop has special equipment such as an EDM RAM Machine, a CNC Traveling Wire EDM Machine, a DeVlieg Jig Mill, and a CNC ExCello Milling Machine. We also have all of the normal machines found in a well equipped shop.
The EDM Machines are used to machine metals and samples that cannot be done by conventional machines. Parts or materials that are machined with the EDM Machine must be a conductor of electricity. Materials that are too hard for conventional machining can be cut this way.
Exotic materials we have worked with include gold, silver, platinum, iridium, tantalum, titanium, magnesium, molybdenum, stainless steel, inconel and other nickel alloys, tool steels, machinable ceramics (such as Macor), tungsten, some ceramics, single crystal metal samples, composite materials (of various kinds), and plastics (such as Teflon, Delrin, Nylon, etc.)
The MRL Shop has experience fabricating special equipment that is used in the areas of Ultra High Vacuum (UHV), High Temperature, High Pressure, Cryogenics, Laser Research, etc.
Contact
Via phone at 217-333-1379 or by emailing Shop Supervisor Spencer Schultz (sschultz@uiuc.edu).