Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

  • Our address is:

    NDSU Research & Technology Park

    1854 NDSU Research Circle N.

    Fargo, ND 58102

    The main studio entrance is on the South side of the building and there is an Innovation Studio sign adjacent to the door. The door is open during Studio hours.

    Please park as close as you can to the Innovation Studio building, we share a parking lot with Appareo Systems and they graciously allow our members to use a portion of their spaces.

  • No, we are open to students, business owners, inventors, entrepreneurs and community members! Take a look at our various membership levels and choose the right one for you.

  • We often describe the Innovation Studio as a “Gym With Tools” and our technicians can be thought of as the Personal Trainers. Our goal is for members to make their own parts under the guidance of our studio technicians. We can not do the workout for you but we will help you along the way!

  • We offer several software packages installed on computers around the lab for our members to use:

    Corel Graphics Suite

    Vectric V-Carve Pro

    Solidworks

    MasterCAM

    Fusion360 (Use your own log-in credentials)

    Janome Artistic Digitizer

    Roland VersaWorks

    Bendtech SE

    Artec Studio

    Blender

  • If you would like to hire someone to do your computer design work, please reach out to:

    For Mechanical Engineering: Anvil Design & Manufacturing

    For Product & Industrial Design: Vectr3D.

    For Mechanical Engineering: Z3D Solutions.

    For Graphic Design: Boss Design & Sign.

  • We have two levels of storage space available. For small items and materials, members can rent a wide-span wire shelf measuring 24” Deep, 72” Wide and 18” High. For larger items, members can rent a Project Storage Space, which consists of an 8’ x 8’ area of the floor and a bench with a lockable toolbox. Rates for both of these options are available here.

  • No, weapons, weapon accessories, weapon replicas, symbols of hate and equipment for for vandalism are strictly prohibited. Studio staff may ask about items in question and can deny Studio activity if necessary.

  • We supply materials to ensure quality and reliability with certain pieces of equipment. These materials are:

    3D Printing Filament

    3D Printing SLS Nylon Powder

    3D Printing Resin

    Sewing & Embroidery Thread

    Self Adhesive Sheet Vinyl

  • We are not able to supply:

    Metal Tube, Sheet & Billet

    Wood Products For Woodshop Projects

    Acrylic, Leather, Wood, Etc. For Laser Cutting

  • West Side Steel is the preferred resource as they will cut to length and sell partial lengths of material.

    McNeilus Steel is also a great source for steel and aluminum, however they typically sell full sheets or sticks of material, they will not sell partial sheets or sticks.

  • Valley Hardwood Supply is the preferred resource for hardwoods, exotic woods, specialty plywood, stains and finishes.

  • Custom Plastics

    Cope Plastics

    Horn Plastics

    Seelye Plastics

  • Members working in the Innovation Studio on self-initiated projects, self-initiated inventions, or course work, retain all intellectual property associated with the project or invention.

    With that being said, you also need to acknowledge that you are operating in a public workspace and your work may be observed by other members, staff or tour groups entering the Studio.