Jim Hall Design and Prototyping Lab

The primary function of the Jim Hall Design and Prototyping Lab is that of a teaching facility. The shop and its personnel function as a full support facility for such academic courses as ME 71 (Introduction to Engineering Design) and ME 72 (Engineering Design Laboratory). It provides support for the fabrication of research apparatus for the Engineering and Applied Science division, as well as other divisions on the Caltech campus. It serves as a facility where students, faculty, and staff may fabricate their own devices and projects for approved research programs.

We have begun a major upgrade of the facility with the addition of rapid prototyping and design facilities in 2008-2009. We thank The Innovation in Teaching Grant from Caltech, Jim Hall, and Dale Austin for their generous contributions in making this possible.

The shop is open to the entire Caltech community. There are, however, a few restrictions. ME 71 or the Shop Safety Course must have been completed prior to using any of the machine tools in the shop. The Safety Course is given two to three times a year during the winter term and summer recess.

John Van Deusen, Supervisor, runs the shop. John is available for consultation and advice on all aspects of design and fabrication for research devices, class projects, and personal projects. There is no charge for advice in the design of devices and methods of fabrication. There are charges for use of the shop with rate structures for personal work and work done by the staff.

The shop is a 5854 square foot facility fully equipped with small and large machine tools, hand tools, and a variety of materials for fabrication. A limited amount of fasteners and related hardware is also available.

The shop is located in the subbasement of Spalding Lab, Building 41, in Room 024. Stairwells are located on both ends of the building, with the western stairwell coming directly into the shop. An elevator is available in the center of the building.