Skip to main
Nancy Richardson Design Center

Nancy Richardson Design Center Prototype Lab

Purchase a Lab Access Membership

Prototyping Equipment

Welcome to the Prototype Lab at the Nancy Richardson Design Center! This is Colorado State University’s very own high-tech playground for all aspiring designers, researchers, engineers, inventors, and dreamers.  These state-of-the-art facilities and tools are yours to transform any of your imaginative concepts into tangible reality.

Equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines, and a plethora of other advanced technologies, the Prototype Lab empowers CSU students, faculty, and staff to push the boundaries of innovation. Here, interdisciplinary collaboration thrives by encouraging a fusion of artistry and engineering to create groundbreaking solutions to real-world challenges.

Want to learn more about equipment found in the Prototype Lab? Enroll in a toolbox course. Our design thinking curriculum is an excellent opportunity make the most of your hobbies, education, and career.

Media Cutters

Three CO2 laser machines and a cutter plotter for both cutting and drawing applications.

Three students look at a laser cutter in the Prototyping Lab

3D Printers

FDM and SLA 3D printing capabilities to handle both filament and resin prints.

A student uses a 3D printer in the Prototyping Lab

Ink Printers

From specialized fabric printers, to UV printing, and large format vinyl printing.

Three students looking at fabric being printed from the fabric printer

Fabric Assembly

Embroidery, quilting, sewing, and seam welding.

A student uses an embroidery machine in the Prototype Lab

Screen Printing

A mixing system to create any color and 6 arm press to register prints.

Two students simultaneously use the screen printing presses in the Prototype Lab.

First Come, First Served

Equipment found here needs no reservation, come by to see what’s available.

Two students work together at the electronic benches in the Prototype Lab

If you're unsure where to start, here are Some fun facts and capabilities

  • The only UV printer on campus, our Roland VersaUV can print on items from golf balls to glassware, and builds up ink to create texture.
  • Of the five 3D printers, four use fused deposition modeling. A single roll of filament prints 55 iPhone cases, each at 18g.
  • Our CO2 laser cutters have 8 customizable power and speed channels to cut and etch, cutting up to 1/2″  thick wood and engraving on copy paper.
  • Epson’s dye-sublimation printer works with synthetic fibers by printing on transfer paper that is applied to any material with polyester blend via heat press.
  • Our Melco embroidery machine is capable of sewing 1500 stitches per minute with 16 thread colors available per design.

Reservation and Closed Hours Prototype Lab Calendar

Make sure you’ve completed the required training online via Canvas before reserving equipment. Don’t have access to our Canvas page? Purchase Lab Access Membership online or via RamCash in the Prototype Lab. Consult your instructor if you think you’re registered in a class with an RDC Labs’ course fee.