WHAT WE DO
The Machine Shop
Located within the Faculty of Mathematics and Science is an instrumental component of the teaching and research done at the University. A part of the Technical Services Department since 1964, we work collectively and at times in conjunction with, the Electronics and Glassblowing Shops. There are currently 4 Machinist Technicians with a vast knowledge and experience in the design, fabrication, modification and/or service of industrial and scientific apparatus and equipment. The following list illustrates some of the services provided.
- Custom design, engineering and construction of teaching and research apparatus using a wide range of practices.
- Drafting and blueprint reading/creation.
- Conventional machining of all materials (metals, plastics, etc.) using precision lathes, milling machines, drill press,etc.
- CNC programming and machining with CAD/CAM software capabilities for complex work pieces.
- CNC Waterjet table with industrial capacity for material thickness and size.
- Metallurgy, heat treatment and hardness testing of various materials.
- Precision grinding.
- Complete wood working shop for fabrication of woods, composites and plastics
- Sheet metal fabrication using brakes, shears, rollers, punches and spot welder to form metals and plastics.
- Complete welding capabilities using Arc, MIG and TIG welding technology as well as soldering and brazing, oxy-acetylene torches for the joining/forming of materials for structural and pressure/vacuum.
- Vacuum technologies; trained in the design and fabrication covering low to ultrahigh vacuum systems.
- Bearing Design, Installation and Analysis.
- Sandblasting/painting and coating capabilities with walk- in paint booth for complete project finishing and refurbishment of equipment.
- Installation, setup and calibration of scientific equipment/apparatus
- Installation, setup of compressed gases using regulators, valves and supply lines for all types of gases. Air and water supply to scientific apparatus with filtration, etc.
- Mechanical troubleshooting, maintenance and repair of all types of scientific lab equipment including complex analytical equipment. E.g. autoclaves/sterilizers, mass spectrometers, vacuum pumps, centrifuges, shakers, incubators, rotary evaporators, liquid nitrogen generating station.
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed at lunch from 12 to 1 p.m.
To schedule a visit please contact us:
Contact Stephen Renda – Machine Shop Manager to discuss your project
For urgent request or service please call or email and speak with any member of our team.
Phone: 905-688-5550 x3420
Email: machineshop@brocku.ca
Walk-ins welcome: MCD 202
Oops! We could not locate your form.
Current Equipment
Machining
- Hardinge super precision toolroom lathes, 2 units, small capacity
- Ferro lathe – medium/large capacity
- Colchester lathe- medium capacity
- Excello vertical milling machine- small/medium capacity
- Sajo vertical/horizontal milling machine- small/medium capacity
- Alzmetal drill press with power taping
- Band Saw
- Measuring and Inspection tooling.
CNC Machines
- Haas 3 axis TM2P toolroom milling machine with 10k spindle, 10 tool turret, 40” x 20” x 16” travel
- Maho 3 axis milling machine, 4k spindle, updated Siemens control 240mm x 400mm travel
- DMG lathe centre with 8 tool turret, Fanuc control
- Wardjet A1212 waterjet table, 4ft x 4ft travel.
- Gibbs Cam CAD/CAM software for CNC programming
Fabrication and Welding
- Diacro pipe/tube bender
- Uni-Blast Sandblaster
- Promecam 40” hydraulic brake
- Alshear 52” hydraulic shear
- Diacro hand brake
- Diacro punch
- Diacro hand shear
- Roll in bandsaw
- Rockwell Delta belt sander
- Enerpac 25 ton hydraulic press
- Hobart Arc and TIG welder
- Millermatic DVI MIG welder
- Lincoln Electric TIG200 welder
- Hypertherm Plasma Cutter XP45
- Oxy-Acetylene torches, etc.
- painting and coatings
Grinding
- Elliot surface grinding machine
- Rockwell/Delta toolmaker grinder
- Black Diamond drill bit grinder
- Heinman endmill/cutter grinder
- Posser carbide grinder
- Rockwell buffing/polishing machine
- Hermes engraver
Woodworking
- Saw Stop precision table saw cabinet grade
- King 21” thickness planer
- Dewalt 12” compound sliding mitre saw
- Delta jointer
- Milwaukee router with JessEm speed/height adjust
- Delta drill press
- Do-All band saw
- Delta shaper
FAQ
We support everything from consultation to design. Visit us for construction of apparatus and/or service of any mechanical equipment.
Work is labour free for internal Brock University clients. Materials and parts will be invoiced through department channels.
External projects are billed at a rate of $90 per hour labour, plus material costs. Payment by cheque or Purchase Order.
We triage our workflow, please provide as much notice as possible. Depending on the complexity of the request, work may be completed same day. More challenging projects may take weeks to complete.
Overview:
The Machine Shop is equipped with a collection of high quality equipment spread over 5 separate shops for the construction and repair of apparatus. We have a designated Machine Shop, Waterjet room, a Paint shop with spray booth, Wood Shop and a Welding / Sheet Metal Shop. Each room is outfitted with a wide variety of larger equipment necessary to provide these services, not to mention the abundance of hand tools and small equipment our technician’s use to perform their duties. We have a stock selection of raw materials, hardware, components and parts.
We work directly with faculty, their students and staff at any level of their project from start to finish. Access and use of equipment is limited to our shop technicians. Our mandate is to provide our service for items that are custom and not commercially available, or for items that are too costly; making apparatus and work-pieces that would otherwise be unattainable. Our unique service is provided with users only accounting for material costs on any project or maintenance performed. We have an incomparable capability to any other commercially available service with the convenience and efficiency of an in-house solution to meet almost any mechanical challenge.
Meet the Machine Shop Team
Stephen Renda – Manager, Machine Shop | Technical Services – 25 years of experience
Email: srenda@brocku.ca Phone: 905-688-5550 x3420
Mechanical Instrument Technician – Trade Designation – RSE – Machinist 429A
Art Reimer – Mechanical Instrument Technician | Technical Services – 40 years of experience
Email: areimer@brocku.ca Phone: 905-688-5550 x3420
BSc. Agricultural Engineering – Guelph University – Trade Designation – Pattern Maker 443A
Mitch Sillaste – Mechanical Instrument Technician | Technical Services – 17 years of experience
Email: msillaste@brocku.ca Phone: 905-688-5550 x3420
Trade Designation – RSE – Machinist 429A
Nathan Hawkins – Mechanical Instrument Technician | Technical Services – 25 years of experience
Email: nhawkins@brocku.ca Phone: 905-688-5550 x3420
Trade Designation – RSE Machinist 429A – RSE Autobody and Collision Damage Repairer 310B