Basic Instructional Instrument Lab Class
| Manager/Instructor: Stan Cotreau | 32 Lyman Laboratory, 17A Oxford
Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138 (617)495-5217 | 617-594-4631 (cell) | |
The Machine Shop in the Physics Department is primarily a student shop. Our focus is on teaching students to run basic machine shop equipment in a safe environment. Once students complete their instruction, they are allowed to utilize the shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Shop Class signup procedure
An introductory class will be held in the Machine Shop on the
first week of every month . This class is approximately two
hours and will be held three times during that week.
The class is mandatory: students will not be allowed to continue with the training program without it . To sign up for this class, simply drop by the Machine Shop (basement of Lyman lab) between 8AM and 4PM and put your name on the list.
Please note that this class is given to members of the Physics Department and SEAS for free, if a request is made on their behalf by their Faculty Advisor. All others must pay a $350.00 fee.
The material covered in the introductory class is listed below.
Introduction to Machine Shop:
1) Review of all Safety Rules and Practices
2) Tour of the Shop
3) Lathe Introduction (rundown of controls, machine function)
4) Milling Machine Introduction (rundown of controls, alignment
of machine vise)
5) Cutting tool discussion (Lathe bits and Milling Machine
bits)
6) Proper use of saws and drill press
7) Discussion on Machine Shop Etiquette
8) Rundown on the rest of the training process
a) Students will be able to work in the shop on their projects
on Monday through Friday during these hours (7:30 AM until
11:30 AM) (1:00 PM until 3:30 PM)
b) Students will need to sign in and out when working in the
shop. The book will be located in the manager's office.
c) Students may choose one of the projects provided by the
shop as their class project.
d) The student must discuss their project and the methods they
are to use in fabrication with the shop manager prior to the
start of the machining process
Machinery in the shop will be available on a first come, first served basis. If the equipment needed is unavailable, the student will have to return at a later date to use it.
The machine shop class is designed to be flexible and to fit in around academic classes; however, it is very important that basic competency criteria (see the list) are covered in the class . You will not be allowed after-hours access to the machine shop until you have proven yourself to be able to handle the machines competently and safely.
To sign up for the Basic Machine Shop Class, please fill out the form (choose PDF or Word format) and submit it electronically to Stan Cotreau ( ). You will receive a confirmation email with the date and time of the next Class.