Cal Poly’s Industrial Technology and Packaging Area will host a grand opening celebration for its digital fabrication (D-FAB) lab on Friday, Dec. 2 from 1-3 p.m. in Building 21, room 135 on campus. Students, alumni and at the Cal Poly community are welcome to enjoy appetizers and refreshments while hearing about the industrial technology program’s shift toward digitally-driven manufacturing.

The event will celebrate recent upgrades in the lab that include new CNC mills and lathes, a water-jet cutting table, 3-D printers and a press brake. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and industry partners, along with the support of the Orfalea College of Business, the area was able to make key improvements to technology that students will see in the working world.  Area chair Eric Olsen says the newly-added equipment has already been embraced enthusiastically by students.

The grand opening also kicks off a partnership between the D-FAB lab and Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The labs will be open for Cal Poly startups and entrepreneurs to prototype products and build innovative solutions.

For more information, or to support the Orfalea College of Business’ D-Fab Lab Initiative, contact Area Chair Eric Olsen at eolsen@calpoly.edu.