MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms manages a facility for making and measuring things on length scales from atoms to buildings. Rather than requiring user fees, it is funded by CBA’s research programs for use by participating researchers, with additional available time shared with collaborating programs. The tools are grouped by nano, micro, meso, and macro feature sizes, and instrumentation, computation, and communication capabilities.

Nano (nanometers)

description: FIB

model: Strata DB-235

manufacturer: FEI

specifications:

applications: electron microscopy, EDAX, Ion beam etching/deposition

description: Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope

model: XL30

manufacturer: FEI

specifications: Resolution ~20nm

applications: electron microscopy, e-beam lithography (EBL)

description: AFM/STM

manufacturer: Agilent

Micro (micrometers)

description: micro-CT

model: XT H 160

manufacturer: Nikon Metrology

specifications: 30-160 kV X-rays, 3μ focal spot size, 5-axis manipulator, video radiography, accelerated 3D reconstruction

applications: real-time 2D X-ray imaging and 3D volumetric imaging for process metrology, experimental sample characterization, rapid-prototyping input, and reverse-engineering

description: confocal microscope

manufacturer: Zeiss

description: Resonetics excimer laser micromachining station

model: Resonetics RapidX250-L and GSI Lumonics PulseMaster PM-848

manufacturer: Resonetics and GSI Lumonics

applications: Resonetics RapidX250-L Series is an excimer laser-based laser micromachining system designed to fabricate micro-machined components as small as 1 micron feature size. The system can laser machine polymers, glass, sapphire, ruby, silicon, ceramics and metals among others. It incorporates a PulseMaster PM-848 excimer laser with 80 Watts of average power at 248nm laser wavelength and 50 Watts at 193nm.The laser repetition rates range from 0 to 200 Hz. The RapidX 250 series was designed for 2-D and 3-D laser micromachining. A typical system is comprised of 200mm x 200mm XY stages with optional Z axis, rotary and goniometer (45 degree tilt), permitting the most complex geometries to be machined. The system includes a user-friendly CAD conversion software package to allow the CAD drawing to be converted directly to machine code. The system has a camera vision system for part alignment and process viewing. The system offers several options such as motorized rectangular variable aperture and a motorized aperture wheel.

description: probe station

description: wire bonder

Meso (millimeters)

description:

model: Modela MDX 20

manufacturer: Roland

specifications:

applications:

description: pick-and-place

description: micro spot welder

Macro (meters)

description: lasercutter

model:

manufacturer: Beam Dynamics

specifications:

applications:

description: waterjet

model: 2652 JetMachining Center

manufacturer: Omax

specifications: X-Y Travel 52" x 26" (1321 mm x 660 mm)

applications: cuts complex flat parts out of most materials including metal, plastic, glass, ceramics and composites up to 6” thick directly from a CAD drawing or .DXF file.

description: precision 5-axis milling machine

model: VM10U

manufacturer: Hurco

specifications: X, Y, Z Axis Travel, inches: (mm) 21 x 16 x 19 (533 x 406 x 483); Table Size, inches (mm): ;ø 7.8 (ø 198); Max Weight On Table, lbs (Kg): 330 (150); Max Part Diameter, inches (mm): 12.6 (320); Tools: 20; Positioning, inches (mm): 0.0002 (0.005); Repeatability, inches (mm): 0.0001 (0.0025)

applications:

description: large format 5-axis milling machine

manufacturer: ShopBot

description: 3 axis router/spindle

model: PRSalpha 120-60

manufacturer: ShopBot

specifications: 120" x 60" x 6" 3.05m x 1.52m x .20m Step resolution of .0004". Positional accuracy of +/- .002".

applications:

description: lasercutter

model: X2 600

manufacturer: Universal Laser

specifications: 100W CO2 Working area 813 x 457 mm (32" x 18")

applications: marking, engraving, screen printing, press-fit construction

description: large format printer/cutter

description: vinylcutter

model: GX-24

manufacturer: Roland

specifications:

applications: signs, pop-up cards, screen printing, flex circuits, antennas

description: 3D scanner

model: VIVID 910

manufacturer: Konica Minolta

specifications:

applications:

description: Industrial Sewing Machine

model: 1541-7

manufacturer: Juki

specifications: Walking foot, 3000 stitches/min, Thread #30 to #5, Max stitch length 9mm

applications: clothing, upholstry, inflatables, boats, kites

Instrumentation

manufacturer: Instron

description: 20 Ghz network analyzer

description: 3 GHz digital oscilloscope

Computation

description: cluster computer

Communication

description: MCU

to be imported

description: 3D Scanner

model: 2020i

manufacturer: NextEngine

specifications:

applications:

description: Microscribe 3D

model: 3DLX

manufacturer: Immersion

specifications: work space 66” sphere

applications:

description: 3D Printer

model: Invision si2

manufacturer: 3D Systems

specifications: Maximum Model Size: W298 mm x D185 mm x H203 mm (xyz)

W11.75" x D7.3" x H8" (xyz)

Resolution: 328 x 328 x 606 DPI (xyz)

Material: Visijet SR200 (Acrylic plastic)

applications:

description: 3D Printer

model: Elite

manufacturer: Dimension

specifications: Model material: ABSplus in ivory, white, black, red, olive green, nectarine, fluorescent yellow, blue or gray. Support material: Soluble Support Technology (SST)

Build Size: 203 x 203 x 305 mm (8 x 8 x 12 in.)

Layer thickness: .178 mm (.007 in.) or .254 mm (.010 in.) of precisely deposited ABSplus model and support material

applications: