Labs & Facilities

The School of Engineering and Computer Science offers specialized laboratories where students gain hands-on experience through coursework, research, and collaboration with industry partners.

Select a lab below to learn more.

Mine Ventilation Lab (CF-006)

Purpose
Used for hands-on teaching and research in mine ventilation, where students examine airflow behaviour and ventilation system performance in a controlled environment.

Academic use
Used in undergraduate and graduate-level Mining and Mechanical Engineering courses focused on underground ventilation and airflow analysis. The lab has also supported graduate research projects.

Equipment & resources

  • Table-top wind tunnel
  • Orifice meter
  • Manometers
  • Anemometers
  • Pitot tubes

Materials Testing Lab (CF-001)

Purpose
Supports teaching and applied research related to material behaviour, strength, and failure, particularly for engineering and mining applications.

Academic use
Used across Chemical, Mechanical, and Mining Engineering programs for core laboratory courses, with more advanced applications in upper-year Mechanical and Mining Engineering.

Equipment & resources

  • Universal testing machine (UTM)
  • Access to an exposed rock face for material and rock mechanics testing
  • Torsion tester
  • Hardness testers

Chemical Process and Environmental Engineering Lab (CF-007)

Purpose
Used for hands-on teaching in chemical process and environmental engineering, with a focus on chemical reactions, transport phenomena, and process operations relevant to industrial and environmental settings.

Academic use
Used in core Chemical Engineering courses covering reaction engineering, corrosion and materials protection, separation processes, mass transfer, process control, hydrometallurgy, and heat transfer.

Equipment & resources

  • X-ray fluorescence analyzer
  • Atomic absorption spectrophotometer
  • Fume hoods
  • Chemical reactors
  • Heat exchangers
  • Separation column

Fluid Mechanics Lab (CF-005)

Purpose
Supports experimental learning in fluid mechanics, allowing students to explore fluid flow behaviour and fundamental hydraulic principles.

Academic use
Used in Fluid Mechanics I and II to reinforce theory through hands-on laboratory work.

Equipment & resources

  • Hydraulic benches
  • Airflow bench

Soil and Rock Mechanics Lab (CF-004)

Purpose
Used for laboratory instruction related to mineral processing and the mechanical behaviour of particulate and rock materials.

Academic use
Used in Mineral Processing I and II to support hands-on learning in material size reduction, separation, and processing techniques.

Equipment & resources

  • Jaw crusher
  • Cone crusher
  • Grinding mill
  • Flotation cell
  • Gravity separators
  • Magnetic separator
  • Dust collection and air filtration systems

Hardline Mechatronics, Robotics and Automation Lab (F-121C)

Purpose
Used for hands-on teaching in mechatronics, robotics, and automation, with an emphasis on electromechanical systems and control.

Academic use
Used in core Mechanical Engineering courses covering electromechanical actuators, control systems, sensors, and instrumentation, as well as mechatronics courses (Mechatronics I, II, and III).

Equipment & resources

  • Electromechanical actuator work cabinets (LabVOLT)
  • Electronic prototyping and circuit development equipment (LabVIEW-based)
  • Control system teaching boards (Quanser Qube 3, Matlab-based)

Robotics and Autonomous Systems Development Lab (F-121D)

Purpose
Used for advanced instruction and development work related to robotic manipulation and autonomous systems.

Academic use
Used in a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering course focused on robot manipulation.

Equipment & resources

  • KUKA KRsixx R850 robotic arm
  • Quanser Self-Driving Car Studio

Engineering Capstone Design Lab (CF-010 & CF-008)

Purpose
Provides space for senior-level design, prototyping, and project development.

Academic use
Used by Chemical and Mechanical Engineering students for fourth-year capstone design projects.

Equipment & resources

  • Hand tools for light assembly
  • Electronics prototyping areas
  • Fume hood
  • Computer workstations

Engineering Machine Shop / Manufacturing Lab (CF-011)

Purpose
Supports fabrication, prototyping, and hands-on project work for students and student design teams.

Academic use
Used for materials and manufacturing course projects, capstone projects, student design projects, and student clubs.

Equipment & resources

  • CNC milling machine
  • Manual lathes and mills
  • Welding capability
  • Bandsaw
  • Woodworking tools (table saw, mitre saw)
  • Hand tools
  • Waterjet cutting machine