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.
Design Lab
McKinney 217
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 and 4K monitors equipped with industry-leading software, such as SolidWorks and MATLAB. 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.
Prototyping Lab
McKinney 209
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.
Fabrication Lab
McKinney 205
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.
Mechatronics Lab
McKinney 210
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.
3D Printing Lab
McKinney 216
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.
Thinker Space
McKinney 218
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.
