Technical Design Laboratory (J002)

[Translate to English:] Panoramaview Designlabor

In January 2022, the Technical Design Laboratory was moved into the new modular building (Room J002). The spacious room is divided into two parts with a modular partition: The "Room for Innovation" and the office for lab staff. This allows students to be directly supervised by the laboratory staff. The multifunctional laboratory and project room, which is equipped with the Design Thinking Set from Studio-Tools, offers students the best conditions for creative and innovative work. The large visualisation areas can be flexibly adapted to different situations. Mobile, large standing tables allow students to make sketches and drawings, use lab equipment for their own projects or skilfully present models as part of events.

Equipment

[Translate to English:] Studentische Aktivitäten im Designlabor

Students are given access to different laboratory equipment after a detailed briefing.

The design process begins with sketching and drawing initial designs by hand. Here, the students have the opportunity to make their sketches digitally on one of the six Wacom graphics tablets. On this large-format HD display, they experience the pleasure of direct design with the pressure-sensitive pen.

Devices and their Function

Five Ultimaker 2+ FDM 3D printers are currently available for creating prototypes as part of project work. These are located in laboratory room G190, which also serves as a workroom for the students to post-process the models.

Furthermore, two 3D scanners (EinScan SE - Shining 3D) are available, which make it possible to convert objects back into a CAD model. A 360° scan captures the surface of the object step by step and generates a digital point cloud, which can then be further processed with various CAD programs.

Prototypes with simple, two-dimensional shapes or models based on parametric design can be produced with the help of the Brother DX1500 cutting plotter. This makes it possible to cut out contours from model-making cardboard with a thickness of up to 3 mm, which can then be stuck together. The cutting plotter can also be used to cut adhesive vinyl foils, for example to foil 3D-printed models.

Furthermore, there is a large photo studio in the lab including a digital camera for taking high-resolution product photographs. The white matted shooting table allows models with a size of up to 800 mm and a weight of max. 15 kg to be staged.

In future, students will be able to immerse themselves in the digital world with the help of virtual reality glasses. The PC-supported Valve Index and the wireless Pico Neo 3 Pro are available here. This will not only enable students to present models on a 1:1 scale, but they will also be able to design life-size models using the controllers, for example with the app Gravity Sketch.

The Technical Design Laboratory thus already offers THI students a great deal of design freedom for the implementation of creative and innovative projects. The open and hybrid spatial concept of the lab is also intended to stimulate exchange among each other. Good teamwork and open cooperation are the top priorities here!