Inside The Cube at the University of Alabama, ideas don’t stay on paper for long.
The facility, housed within the Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering, serves as the University’s primary makerspace. It provides students, faculty and staff — along with members of the broader Alabama community — access to tools and guidance to design, prototype and build projects for class, research and entrepreneurial efforts.
“The Cube is an engineering makerspace where students can get support across a wide range of needs,” said Nathan Wagener, Cube manager. “Whether it’s 3D printing, scanning or general project development, we’re here to help them move ideas forward.”
Wagener oversees daily operations and a team of undergraduate assistants who help students navigate the space. He said the goal is to give students both the resources and the confidence to turn ideas into real, functional products.
Layer One: Learning by doing
The Cube is designed to complement classroom learning with real-world experience. Students use the space for senior design projects, student organizations and independent work.
“We focus heavily on prototyping,” Wagener said. “Students can go from an idea to a physical object very quickly and use that to test how something looks, feels and functions.”
Dr. Peter Ludovice, executive director of the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program, said the space is central to how students develop practical skills.
“Entrepreneurship isn’t something you can fully learn in a classroom,” Ludovice said. “You have to build, test and iterate. That’s exactly what The Cube allows students to do.”
Through courses tied to the program, students use The Cube to design, build and test ideas in a hands-on environment. Ludovice said that process exposes students to challenges they might not encounter in traditional coursework.
“They learn not just how to design something, but how to think about failure, maintenance and long-term performance,” he said.
He added that learning to adapt when things go wrong is one of the most valuable lessons.
“Things don’t always work the first time, and that’s part of the process,” Ludovice said. “Learning how to troubleshoot and improve a design is where real growth happens.”
The Print Shop: Tools that power ideas
The Cube houses a range of fabrication tools, with 3D printing as its most widely used capability. Students also have access to 3D scanners, laser cutters, water jet cutters and traditional manufacturing equipment.
Most projects are completed using a group of Bambu Lab 3D printers, which are reliable, cost-effective and well-suited for everyday use. More advanced printers are available for projects that require higher precision, stronger materials or larger builds.
Students can choose materials based on their project needs. Many use PLA plastic for general printing, while others turn to stronger materials such as ABS or fiber-reinforced composites for more demanding applications.
“3D printing and scanning are at the core of what we do, but students also have access to a wide range of other tools,” Wagener said. “It gives them flexibility depending on what they’re trying to build.”
From File to Form: How 3D printing works
At its core, 3D printing allows students to turn digital designs into physical objects.
Students begin by creating a 3D model using computer-aided design, or CAD, software. That model is then processed by a program that slices it into thin layers. A printer follows those instructions, building the object one layer at a time.
“3D printing is essentially building an object layer by layer from a digital design,” said Matthew Cotting, a senior majoring in aerospace engineering and mechanics.
“3D printing is about building exactly what you need, layer by layer,” Cotting said. “That approach makes the process faster and more efficient.”
This method allows for rapid prototyping, meaning students can test ideas quickly and refine designs without the time and cost of traditional manufacturing.
Final Layer: Building skills for the future
Students across campus use The Cube for a wide range of projects, from beginner designs to advanced research.
“We have student staff who help guide users through the process and make sure they understand the tools,” Wagener said.
The Cube offers training sessions and an online system where students can submit designs for printing. As students gain experience, they often begin to see new possibilities for their work.
“Once students hold something they’ve designed, it changes how they think,” Wagener said. “They start to see what’s possible and how they can improve.”
For Cotting, the experience has been a defining part of his education.
“The Cube is an incredible resource,” he said. “There’s a real sense of satisfaction in taking an idea and turning it into something tangible.”
For students interested in getting started, Wagener said curiosity is the most important first step.
“If you’re willing to learn and try something new, we can help you get there,” he said.
The Cube continues to provide students with the tools, support and environment needed to explore new ideas and bring them to life, helping turn curiosity into real-world skills.