The Core Engineering Department manages the Manufacturing Network at Rensselaer. The network delivers manufacturing classes, class prototype project support, and technical knowledge for students, faculty, student clubs and industrial sponsored class projects using a variety of fabrication, prototyping services, and expertise. The resources to support these efforts are found in the Manufacturing Innovation Learning Lab (MILL), JEC Student Shop, Design Lab Fabrication / Haas Technical Center, and Forge, a student managed maker space, located in the George Low Center for Industrial Innovation. In addition to academic fabrication support, the network is a key component to many STEM outreach programs including National Manufacturing Day.
The network is part of a larger effort to support manufacturing research and industry partnerships including the Center for Advanced Technologies and System (CATS) and The Multimedia Services Machine Shop; a full service R&D Support Fabrication Facility.