Mechanical Prototype Lab Core Facility (MPCF)
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, ND1-27
Anthony Shawan, B.S. Admin., Facility Manager
Contact:
Serves: CCF and contracted non-CCF researchers
Overview
The Mechanical Prototype Laboratory (MPL) provides a variety of engineering, design, fabrication, customization, and repair services for mechanical devices and equipment for basic research and clinical activities. Our staff is experienced in all phases engineering, design, and fabrication. We are proficient in precision machining of metals and plastics, welding of structural and exotic metals, and mechanical repair. The laboratory personnel can work from concept sketches to design and fabricate new devices, test fixtures, and equipment. Documentation of the newly created part or device is also available through two- or three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) drawings. The software we use is Pro-Engineer, Solid Works, and AutoCAD. These CAD drawings can then be converted into computer aided manufacturing (CAM ) programs that are directly fed into the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines or Rapid Prototyping machines to fabricate the desired parts. These parts can then be inspected on our CNC Coordinate Measurement Machine. The laboratory features state-of-the-art CNC equipment for the fabrication of highly complex devices or when identical multiple components are required. The CNC equipment list includes: a 5-axis vertical machining center, a 4-axis lathe, and a 4-axis Wire Electrode Discharge Machine. A Coordinate Measurement Machine, which enables precision inspection of devices fabricated, is also located in the laboratory. Machining equipment includes: 2 ½-axis CNC milling centers, a 2-axis CNC lathe, 3-axis manual milling machines, manual lathes, universal tool grinder, and surface and sectioning grinders. The equipment at our disposal allows us to create high-precision devices for a wide range of clinical or research applications. Examples, recent projects include the engineering, designing, and fabrication of: 1) a treadmill to simulate multi axis movement in a 3-dimensional environment; 2) a device to harvest corneal stem cells; 3) a new style probe used in Deep Brain Stimulation; and 4) a new ablation probe insertion device for the prostate.
Page last updated: October, 2007
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(216) 444-1257
