The university's branch campus in Cuenca inaugurated its Prototyping Lab for academic and research activities especially for the mechanics and mechatronics undergraduate programs. In the lab students will be able to create orthoses, prostheses and automated equipment that will support research, undergraduate and postgraduate projects. 

 

The technology implemented in the lab will allow designs and prototypes to be analyzed before they are actually manufactured. The lab has:

 

- 1 stereolithography printer with liquid resin and laser curing.

 

- 2 3D scanners: one fixed and the other mobile with a resolution of 0.05mm,

 

- 1 laser cutting and engraving machine that allows working on 8 types of different materials up to 9mm thickness

 

- 2 high-speed processors for virtual design with specialized software

 

- 3 deposition printers for different types of polymers

 

UPS president Javier Herran was in charge of officially inaugurating the lab by cutting the ribbon. He congratulated Cesar Vasquez, vice president of UPS's branch campus in Cuenca, and professors for having acquired all the cutting edge equipment which will undoubtedly support students' education.

 

Currently, the lab is being used for projects carried out by the GIIB and GIMAT research groups. Professors John Calle and Cristian Cobos, who are in charge of the projects, said they are now working on a hand-held biomechanical prosthesis, an exoskeleton to help prolonged walking, a transtibial prosthesis with two degrees of freedom, a wheelchair to help the mobility of patients with sclerosis and the development of additive techniques.