Instrument Machine Shop

Thomas, Kevin and Gary in the machine shop.

The College of Arts and Sciences Instrument Machine Shop and its technicians have played a key role in nationally funded research and scientific study for more than five decades. With over 90 years of combined machining experience, we plan, design, fabricate and repair precision devices for use in a wide range of projects. Working to assist College of Arts and Sciences faculty and graduate students, our team of experts can build anything from optic adapters to a 35 foot recirculating flume.

Work Requests

Schedule a consultation with us to get your project started!

Request Consultation

What We Do

We collaborate with faculty and graduate students to design and fabricate highly complex parts, devices, prototypes and equipment. Using software such as MasterCam and AutoDesk Fusion, we are capable of generating schematics and part files for our Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines.  

Projects made possible in our shop include but are not limited to:

  • Modifications of current or new lab setups
  • Lab equipment design and repair
  • Custom receptacles
  • Molds or Gel Trays
  • Flumes
  • Penetrometer
  • Warming Plates
  • Flow Cells 
  • Containment boxes
  • Displays
  • Chip holders

 

Zoom image: Chip Holder created for low temperature experiments performed in a cryostat by the Physics Department. A chip holder fabricated in the shop, sitting next to a quarter for size comparison.

Chip Holder created for low temperature experiments performed in a cryostat by the Physics Department.

Zoom image: Equipment designed and fabricated to facilitate Lava Flow Research A team from UB, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and industry partner EagleHawk conducted thermal imaging of a lava pour using a drone at UB’s Geohazards Field Station, near Springfield, NY, in April 2021. The researchers involved are Ingo Sonder and Chris Renschler, both with Geology. Photographer: Douglas Levere This image has been approved by University Communications—under the guidance of UB’s Office of Environment, Health and Safety—to align with current health and safety regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Equipment designed and fabricated to facilitate Lava Flow Research

Zoom image: Kevin Cullinan makes adjustments to the flume he built. He works with researchers from the Department of Geography where they study water flow. three men posing in front of a complex water-based research construction.

Kevin Cullinan makes adjustments to the flume he built. He works with researchers from the Department of Geography where they study water flow.

Zoom image: Precision turning being performed on a lathe. a metal object being produced.

Precision turning being performed on a lathe.

Zoom image: Tapping threads into a detailed machined part. A hand guiding a tapping threads machine.

Tapping threads into a detailed machined part.

The Shop

Our capabilities are made possible by the machines and tools available to us, which include:

  • Haas TM1 CNC Mill
  • Haas TL2 CNC Lathe
  • Bridgeport Vertical Milling Machines
  • Mazak Horizontal Milling Machine
  • Multiple Precision Lathes
  • Vertical Band Saws
  • DoALL Horizontal Band Saw
  • Pneumatic Shear
  • Manual Sheet Metal Brake
  • Mig and Tig Welders
  • Belt Sanders
  • Complete Wood Shop
  • An exhaustive list of hand and power tools
Zoom image: wide view of the instrument machine shop in fronczak hall. wide view of the instrument machine shop in fronczak hall.

Who We Are

Meet the Team

Thomas Brachmann.

Thomas Brachmann
Instructional Support Associate
tjb23@buffalo.edu

Kevin Cullinan.

Kevin Cullinan
Instructional Support Technician
kmc38@buffalo.edu

Gary Nottingham.

Gary Nottingham
 Instructional Support Technician
grn@buffalo.edu

CAS IMS In the News

CAS Instrument Machine Shop makes research possible
5/13/24

The team works with faculty to plan, design, fabricate and repair the precision devices needed to conduct their work.

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Contact Us

Call Us

(716) 645-3904

Find Us

161 Fronczak Hall
On the opposite side of the breezeway from the elevators.

Request a Project Consultation

Request a consultation with one of our machine shop experts. We will schedule a face to face meeting to discuss what you are looking for. We often have a lot of questions regarding what you are trying to accomplish. We try to maintain a "first in first out" priority method with regard to work being completed, so the sooner you contact us the better.

Machine shop staff are available for consultations Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Request Consultation

Sample of Completed Projects

Zoom image: Optical setup for a laser table for Spectroscopy study in Chemistry laser apparatus machines on a desk.

Optical setup for a laser table for Spectroscopy study in Chemistry

Zoom image: Eruption caused by the injection of water into molten rock, with simultaneous hammer impact lava study.

Eruption caused by the injection of water into molten rock, with simultaneous hammer impact

Zoom image: CNC Toolpath modeling of a flow cell for Chemistry diagram of technical drawing.

CNC Toolpath modeling of a flow cell for Chemistry

Zoom image: Rheometer used to measure viscosity of molten materials Rheometer on a desk.

Rheometer used to measure viscosity of molten materials

Zoom image: 3-view drawing of a part used in an assembly for Geology research sensor target drawing from 3 views.

3-view drawing of a part used in an assembly for Geology research