Service to Industry

The Charlotte Super Fab Lab partners with companies to prototype, fabricate, and test hardware—through a student-led, staff-supervised model. Industry partners bring real engineering problems; our team supports scoping, process planning, and fabrication using advanced manufacturing tools. This approach helps companies move projects forward while giving students meaningful experience delivering professional outcomes. If you’re exploring a new product, refining a component, or validating a process, we can help you choose the right path and execute it safely and efficiently.

What we Can Help with

Technical consultation for “what’s the best way to make this?”

Process exploration (materials, settings, workflows)

Test fixtures, jigs, and tooling

Rapid prototyping and design iteration support

DFM/DFAM guidance (manufacturability feedback before you cut metal)

Fabrication and small-batch builds (as appropriate)

Our capabilities vary based on project needs, but commonly include additive manufacturing, laser cutting, CNC machining, waterjet cutting, and related finishing/assembly workflows. If you’re unsure which process fits your part, we’ll help you select a path that meets your timeline, quality, and budget. Some of the services we can provide are:

How to engage

1. Share your goals & constraints

Send a brief description of what you’re trying to accomplish, plus any files you have (CAD, drawings, sketches).

2. We scope the work

We’ll recommend an approach, confirm the appropriate engagement tier, and define cost, schedule, checkpoints, and any IP/confidentiality considerations.

3. Build & review

We execute the work with defined touchpoints for review, measurement/fit checks (as needed), and iteration if included in scope.

4. Deliver

You receive the parts (and, when applicable, a short summary of what was built and any key notes from the process).

Engagment tiers

How We Choose the Right Tier

We’ll recommend a tier based on your inputs (files available, tolerance/quality needs, timeline, and whether new IP is likely). If your project shifts during execution, we’ll pause and re-scope so expectations, cost, and IP stay aligned.

Tier A — Fabrication / Toll Manufacturing (Build-to-Print)

You provide the design (drawings/CAD/specs). We manufacture parts and/or assemblies to your requirements. This is the most direct path when the design is already defined.
Best for: prototypes, fixtures, replacement parts, small-batch builds.

Tier B — Design Partnership (Co-Development)

CAD Work

We work with your team to refine the design for manufacturability, performance, and cost, then prototype and iterate. Scope, milestones, and deliverables are defined up front.
Best for: early-stage concepts, redesigns, DFM support, rapid iteration cycles.

Tier C — IP-Driven Development (New Invention / Venture Support)

For projects where new IP may be created, we establish clear terms at the start regarding ownership, licensing options, publication, and commercialization pathways. This tier requires the most up-front definition and documentation.
Best for: novel product development, entrepreneurial ventures, technologies likely to generate patentable outcomes.

To request a quote or start a conversation

Send the items below and we’ll respond with next steps:

  • A 2–3 sentence project description (what success looks like)
  • CAD/drawings/sketches (if available)
  • Material preferences (or performance requirements if material is flexible)
  • Quantity (one-off, small batch, etc.)
  • Deadline / key dates
  • Any critical tolerances, finishes, or inspection requirements
  • Notes on confidentiality or IP sensitivity (if applicable)

Expectations and good-to-know

  • Clear scope = faster turnaround. The more complete the inputs, the quicker we can quote and schedule.
  • If requirements change midstream, we’ll pause and re-scope before continuing.
  • Some projects may require additional documentation, safety review, or scheduling based on equipment and workload.