Person welding in the dark with a green glow coming from the welder
Home Academics Schools Department of Engineering and Physics Engineering Labs and Facilities

Engineering Labs and Facilities

Innovation Starts Here

Bridgewater’s cutting-edge engineering labs in the McKinney Center provide students with hands-on experience in design, prototyping, fabrication and mechatronics. Equipped with industry-leading software, advanced machining tools and 3D printing technology, these spaces support every stage of the engineering process. In these spaces, students collaborate, innovate, and bring ideas to life in a dynamic, real-world learning environment.

Student and professor working in engineering design lab with wind machine

Design Lab

The design lab is the heartbeat of our engineering lab network where ideas are brought into digital space using high-performance, state-of-the-art engineering desktops equipped with industry-leading software, such as SolidWorks, Ansys, and MATLAB. In support of these desktops, we have a dedicated, high-powered engineering server for advanced computing, modeling, and simulation. Engineering students are given 24/7 access to this space to create and collaborate, and most engineering classes are held in this space to take advantage of the modern furniture and large screen displays on three walls, so every student has a clear view.

Student working in prototyping lab

Prototyping Lab

The prototyping lab is where most ideas first materialize. This space has all new equipment design to cut, sand, and join an array of prototyping materials such as wood, MDF, acrylic, foam board, and more. This lab is also equipped with an industrial-grade CNC router capable of cutting complex geometry in up to three dimensions simultaneously, and like all the large machines in the lab, it’s equipped with an externally routed dust collection system for quiet and clean operation. Last but not least, this space is equipped with three large tables, stools, and a wall-length whiteboard ideal for ideation and teamwork.

Two people welding materials in fabricaiton lab

Fabrication Lab

The fabrication lab is where prototypes evolve into products. This space is equipped with a comprehensive set of metalworking tools to cut, sand, grind, bend, form, and weld metal. We have a shear, brake, roll, horizontal/vertical bandsaw, belt sander, grinder, stick/TIG/MIG welding booth, mill, lathe, arbor press, and to top it all off, a fully enclosed CNC milling machine. Once parts are made, we have precision inspection instruments to ensure all manufactured parts are within spec, mirroring industrial processes.

Student working with equipment in mechatronics lab

Mechatronics Lab

The mechatronics lab is where electronics and mechanisms meet. Designed with abundant power and light, this space is optimized for analog and digital circuit design, analyzing and prototyping circuits, instrumentation, soldering, and more. Students attend both lecture and lab in this space, so theory and hands-on application are taught simultaneously, demystifying electronics and establishing the foundations for a career in engineering.

Student wearing blue shirt working with 3-D printers

3D Printing Lab

The 3D printing lab works hand-in-hand with the prototyping lab and adds a rapid, additive manufacturing capability, where ideas are not limited by classical subtractive manufacturing techniques often used in large-scale production environments. We have a bank of nine 3D printers dedicated to engineering students alone, so there is always a printer and material ready to use.

Glowing computer screen background with B-C engineering logo

Thinker Space

The thinker space is an interdisciplinary room for engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians, and other majors to share ideas, work on projects, hang out, and you guessed it – think! Placing this space directly adjacent to our design and manufacturing labs allows students to setup “base camp” between classes and lab-use and has proven to be the birthplace of many great ideas and projects.

The McKinney Center

Bridgewater College’s engineering labs are housed in the McKinney Center for Science and Mathematics, a state-of-the-art facility that reflects the College’s strong commitment to STEM education. Its modern design and comprehensive resources support hands-on learning and prepare students for success in science and engineering fields.

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