In order to register please contact Gurmeet Besla in person or via email.

Physics Learning and Research Services offers a variety of short, non-credit courses for students who would like to develop skills related to creating scientific apparatus. One set of courses, offered in the Student Workshop, focus on machining and mechanical skills necessary to build things, and the Physics Electronics Resource Centre offers courses that look at basic electronics and Labview programming.

PLRS MW1: Module 1, Basic Workshop Tools

Prerequisite: None
Length: 6 hours in the machine shop, typically two 3 hour sessions
Schedule: This course is normally offered in October and late May and at other times based on student demand.
Topics:
This course provided students with a basic introduction to the machine shop. It is intended for students who want to be able to work safety in the shop to accomplish simple tasks like saw cutting and drilling.  It is compulsory for anyone wanting to use the Student Workshop, but will also be of interest to people who will be using similar tools in their laboratories.  MW1 is also starting point for students interested in the more advanced courses. The course covers the following topics:

• 1 hour classroom course on machine shop safety
• basic machining processes, machines (e.g. machine names, purposes, etc)
• basic measurement and marking (calliper, micrometer, dial indicators, etc.)
• work holding, vices and clamps
• sawing, hand saw, band saw
• drilling drill press, hand drill
• working with sheet metal (chassis, boxes, etc.)
• supervised practice

PLRS MW2: Module 2, The Milling Machine

Prerequisite: PLRS MW1
Length: 6 hours in the machine shop, typically two 3 hour sessions
Schedule: This course is normally offered in November and June and at other times based on student demand.
Topics:
This course is an introductory course in using a milling machine.  After completing this course students will be able to perform basic milling operations safely. The course covers the following topics:

• parts and functions of a typical milling machine, table, spindle, axes
• work holding, vices and clamps, indexer/dividing head
• machine set-up, “tramming” the head, squaring the vise
• tool selection, speeds and feeds
• tool installation and set up (setting zero’s)
• measurement, calliper, micrometer, edge finder, feeler guage
• how to mill, including drilling, use of dividing head
• supervised practice

PLRS MW3: Module 3, The Engine Lathe

Prerequisite: PLRS MW1
Length: 6 hours in the machine shop, typically two 3 hour sessions
Schedule: This course is normally offered in November and June and at other times based on student demand.
Topics:
This course is an introductory course in using a lathe.  After completing this course students will be able to perform basic turning operations safely. The course covers the following topics:

• parts and functions, headstock, chuck, saddle, tail stock
• work holding, 3 and 4 jaw chuck, collet chuck
• tool selection, speeds and feeds
• tool installation and set up (setting zero’s)
• how to turn, including drilling, boring, knurling, facing, parting
• single point threading, time permitting
• supervised practice
  

PLRS MW4: Module 4, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining

Prerequisite: PLRS MW1, 2, 3 & 4
Length: As required
Schedule: At times based on student demand.
Topics:
This course is intended for advanced users and requires the completion of modules 1,2,3,4.  It will be highly customized to the individual student, but will generally include the following:

• introduction to the controller, set-up of machine, establishing reference points
• set-up of tools, entering tool parameters
• basic CNC machining using internal machine programs (conversational programming)
• creation of programs with Mastercam, machining from programs (requires CAD)

PLRS MW5: Module 5, Refresher Course

Prerequisite: Varies
Length: As required
Schedule: At times based on student demand.
Topics:
In order to work in the Student Workshop, students must complete an annual refresher course.  This is conducted one-on-one with the Student Workshop Supervisor, who will review basic safety aspects of working in the shop.  This will take 10-15 minutes for each module the student has completed.