🛠 Student Guide • Fabrication Laboratory

Think it.
Design it.
Make it.

Welcome to the Fabrication Laboratory at COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus — a hands-on space where students can turn ideas, designs and concepts into physical prototypes.

Important: Students may use the Fab Lab only during notified lab hours and under the supervision of Lab Staff or the Fab Lab In-Charge.
Trotec Q400 laser cutter and engraver
Prusa 3D printer

Our Fab Lab welcomes students and faculty from all departments across COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, offering a collaborative space to turn ideas into prototypes, projects, and innovative solutions.

So… what exactly is a Fab Lab?

If you are visiting for the first time, start here. A fabrication lab gives you access to digital fabrication and workshop tools that can help you move from an idea to a physical object, model, sign, prototype or electronic project.

💡

IDEA → DESIGN

Start with a concept, sketch or digital design. Your project can be artistic, engineering-related, academic or entrepreneurial.

⚙

DESIGN → FABRICATE

Choose the right machine: laser cutting, 3D printing, vinyl cutting, 3D scanning, drilling, finishing or circuit prototyping.

🚀

FABRICATE → TEST

Make a physical prototype, inspect it, improve it and iterate. The goal is learning by making.

Meet your Fab Lab toolkit

Trotec Q400 laser cutter
Digital fabrication

Laser Cutter / Engraver — Trotec Q400

Used for engraving and cutting materials such as wood, plastic and leather.

  • Typical cutting thickness: 2–4 mm
  • Marking and labelling
  • Architectural models
  • Electronics prototyping
  • Personalisation and customisation
Manufacturer information ↗
Prusa i3 MK3S+ 3D printer
3D printing

Prusa i3 MK3S+

An FDM 3D printer for turning a digital model into a physical object layer by layer.

  • Useful for prototypes and functional models
  • Filament-based printing
Manufacturer information ↗
Prusa SL1S resin 3D printer
3D printing

Prusa SL1S + CW1S Bundle

A resin printer that produces high-quality prints with even more detail than the Original Prusa i3 MK3S+.

  • Resin-based 3D printing
  • High-detail parts and prototypes
Manufacturer information ↗
Secabo S120 II vinyl cutter
Vinyl cutting

Secabo S120 II Plotter Cutter

Use your creativity to produce graphics for signs, banners and advertisements.

  • Operated through DrawCut LITE
  • Useful for student projects and visual communication
Manufacturer information ↗
Matter and Form V2 3D scanner
3D scanning

Matter and Form V2

A desktop 3D scanner for small objects. Scan, mesh and export a digital model for use with a 3D printer.

  • MFStudio software
  • Exports: STL, OBJ and DAE
Manufacturer information ↗
Matterport Pro2 room scanner
3D scanning

Matterport Pro2 + Tripod

For creating virtual 3D models and schematics of physical spaces.

  • Walkthroughs and tours
  • Schematic maps
  • Professional-quality 2D still captures
Manufacturer information ↗
Electronics prototyping and testing station
Electronics

Electronics Prototyping & Testing Station

A dedicated electronics workbench for building, soldering, powering, measuring and testing electronic circuits and prototypes.

  • TOOLCRAFT ST-100D soldering station
  • TOOLCRAFT LSH-880 hot-air station
  • Solder fume extractor
  • Laboratory power supply
  • Digital oscilloscope
  • Digital multimeters
Metabo BS 175 belt sander
Workshop

Metabo BS 175 Belt Sander

For sharpening, grinding and deburring, including finishing wood and metal workpieces.

Bench drill PBD 40
Workshop

Bench Drill PBD 40

For precise drilling with an integrated laser and LED illumination.

  • Maximum drilling diameter: 13 mm in steel, 40 mm in wood
  • Drilling stroke: 90 mm
  • Digital display for adjustment
  • Useful for rows of holes
Dremel cordless rotary tool kit
Hand tools

Dremel Rotary Tool

A compact rotary tool for detailed fabrication, finishing and small-scale workshop tasks.

  • Useful for shaping, trimming and finishing
  • Suitable for detailed prototype work
  • Use the appropriate accessory and supervision
TOOLCRAFT crimping tool set
Hand tools

Crimping Tool Set

A TOOLCRAFT crimping set for making secure electrical connections during wiring and electronics projects.

  • Multiple interchangeable crimping profiles
  • Useful for cable and terminal preparation
Bosch cordless drill tool kits
Power tools

Bosch Cordless Drill Kits

Portable cordless drills for drilling and fastening during prototype construction and workshop projects.

  • Battery powered
  • Useful for assembly and fabrication
  • Use the correct bit for the material and task
Makita cordless drill kits
Power tools

Makita Cordless Drill Kits

Additional cordless drilling and fastening tools for fabrication, assembly and prototype development.

  • Battery-operated tools
  • Useful for drilling, fastening and assembly
  • Return the kit to its case after use
Portable air compressor
Workshop support

Portable Air Compressor

Provides compressed air for suitable workshop and fabrication-support tasks.

  • Compact portable design
  • Use only for approved applications
  • Follow the equipment operating and safety instructions
Digital multimeter
Electronics testing

Digital Multimeter

A measurement instrument for checking electrical quantities during electronics projects and troubleshooting.

  • Voltage and current measurements
  • Resistance and continuity checks
  • Use the correct range and connection before measuring
More tools are available: in addition to the main digital-fabrication machines, the Fab Lab includes electronics prototyping and testing equipment, hand tools, cordless drills, a rotary tool and workshop-support equipment. Always ask the Lab Supervisor or In-Charge before using unfamiliar equipment.

What can you make?

Turn digital ideas into physical designs using some of the Fab Lab’s most accessible fabrication processes.

Laser-cut enclosures made in the Fab Lab

Laser Engraving & Cutting

Create signs, patterns, labels, models, decorative pieces and customised designs.

3D printed models produced in the Fab Lab

3D Printing

Convert a digital 3D model into a physical prototype, component, model or creative object.

Vinyl lettering being cut on the plotter

Plotter Cutting

Create vinyl graphics, lettering, signs, banners and visual designs.

TAKE-UP Project

Transforming Academic Knowledge to Develop Entrepreneurial Universities in Pakistan.

🌍

Erasmus+ Collaboration

TAKE-UP is an Erasmus+ supported project focused on transforming academic knowledge and supporting entrepreneurial university development in Pakistan.

💡

Knowledge into Practice

The project promotes practical, innovation-oriented activities that connect university learning with real-world applications.

🛠

Fab Lab Connection

The Fab Lab established under the Erasmus+ funded TAKE-UP Project provides a hands-on environment where students can experiment, prototype, fabricate and develop ideas into tangible outputs.

Your first visit: 4 simple steps

From an idea in your head to a prototype in your hand.

1

Define your idea

Know what you want to make and what the final object should look like.

2

Choose the process

Discuss whether you need laser cutting, 3D printing, scanning, vinyl cutting, electronics or workshop tools.

3

Get supervised access

Use the Fab Lab only during notified hours and under the required physical supervision.

4

Make, learn, improve

Fabricate your prototype, observe the result, learn from it and improve your design.

Safety first. Always.

Ten rules that apply to everyone working in the Fab Lab.

🕐 Use the Lab during notified hoursThe Fab Lab is open during specified hours displayed on the Lab Notice Board.
👥 Work under supervisionStudents are allowed to use the Fab Lab only under the supervision of Lab Staff or the Fab Lab In-Charge.
📝 Sign in and sign outSigning in and out at the register or logbook is mandatory.
🧹 Keep the workspace cleanThe work area and Lab environment must be kept clean and organised.
👕 Avoid loose clothing, gloves and jewelleryThese can get caught in moving machine parts.
🛠 Report damage immediatelyReport any damage to equipment, or blade, bit or tool breakage, immediately to Lab Staff.
🧤 Use protective equipmentAlways wear protective eyewear and a dust mask when needed.
♻ Reduce wastageMake every possible effort to avoid wastage of energy and Lab materials.
📦 Bring your consumablesFab Lab users are required to bring their own consumable supplies.
🔧 Return toolsTools from the tool cabinet may only be used within the Lab and must be returned to their proper location when no longer required.

Fabrication Laboratory

COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus
Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Located in the Department of Architecture and Design.
Fab Lab In-Charge: Prof. Dr. S M Imran Hassan
(Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering)