APDesign In the News

Kansas State University’s APDesign Fabrication Lab Installs Cutting-Edge CNC Milling Machine

The College of Architecture, Planning & Design (APDesign) at Kansas State University is proud to announce the installation of a new 5-axis CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Milling Machine in the college’s Fabrication Lab. This acquisition, spearheaded by Joseph Hornung, Fabrication Lab Manager, and Eli Taylor, Fabrication Specialist, represents a transformative leap forward for the college’s research, teaching, and creative production capacity.

“This machine brings an extraordinary level of precision and versatility to the lab,” said Hornung. “It will expand opportunities for students and faculty across all disciplines in APDesign, supporting both experimental research and professional-grade fabrication.”

The 5-axis machine replaces and significantly upgrades the college’s 15-year-old 3-axis unit. In addition, the original 3-axis has been fully refurbished, meaning APDesign has more than doubled its CNC milling capacity while simultaneously investing in state-of-the-art fabrication capabilities. This dual investment strengthens the lab’s ability to support a wide range of projects—from complex prototypes to refined production runs—further advancing design research and exploration.

The CNC Milling Machines enable students and faculty to prototype and manufacture complex components with unmatched accuracy, opening new frontiers in design exploration and interdisciplinary collaboration. The equipment supports both large-scale projects and fine-detail work, enhancing workflows across architecture, interior design, industrial design, planning, and landscape architecture.

The acquisition was guided in part by APDesign’s Faculty Technology Committee, ensuring alignment with the college’s strategic priorities in teaching, research, and creative practice. Their involvement underscores a shared commitment to integrating emerging technologies into APDesign’s curriculum and research culture.

Notably, this installation places APDesign among a small group of peer institutions with comparable technology. Few colleges of APDesign’s size have access to a 5-axis CNC milling machine of this caliber—bringing Kansas State’s program into alignment with leading design and technology hubs such as MIT.

Dean Michael McClure praised the acquisition as a transformative step: “This investment underscores our commitment to innovation, hands-on learning, and providing students with the tools to thrive in today’s competitive design environment.”

The Fabrication Lab continues to serve as a cornerstone of APDesign’s culture of making—empowering students to turn ideas into reality while preparing them for careers at the intersection of design, technology, and construction.