The Center for Innovation Development (CID) of the Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas is a full-cycle university workshop where students, postgraduates, and all interested parties can transform a technical idea into a real product. The center was established within the framework of an international project Ro-Ua TADRI— “Cross-border Academic Development for Research and Innovation” — supported by the European Union, which brought IFNTUOG together with partners from Romania’s Maramureș County. The project’s goal is to enhance the research and innovation potential in the fields of mechanics, electricity, electronics, and environmental protection, and to reduce technological disparities between border regions.
Concept and Approach
A startup in the field of material production begins with a workshop equipped with production facilities and tools. The CID offers a new approach to learning and implementing ideas: you determine what you want to create — a material item (artistic or technological) using mechanics and electronics. The Center, together with you, plans the project, determines what knowledge and skills are needed for its safe and effective implementation, and guides you until the prototype, mock-up, or finished product is made.
CID is a place equipped with ready-to-use tools and instruments, a team of experts and like-minded individuals, as well as a wide base of material and electronics suppliers. All equipment and expert knowledge can be accessed by registering your idea in the center’s information system or by joining one of the already implemented projects.
Tasks of the Center
- Development of researchers’ and students’ competencies in the use of modern design and manufacturing technologies.
- Association of initiative and technically creative people based on the implementation of technical ideas from a database of needs and projects.
- Providing opportunities for innovation by teams of students and university staff.
- Production of models and mockups for potential innovative entrepreneurs — facilitating the path between the idea and its practical implementation.
- Formation of the Romanian-Ukrainian community of researchers and innovators for joint work on technical challenges of the border region.
Digital Production: 3D Scanning and Printing
Modern production works with electronic models, so the path from idea to product begins with scanning or digital design.
3D scanner Shining3D EinScan-SP allows you to digitize an existing physical object and obtain its exact three-dimensional model. On the rotating table, a model measuring up to 200×200×200 mm is scanned, and in manual mode with markers — up to 1200×1200×1200 mm.
3D printer FDM Vernerfab i3 — open frame, PLA plastic, model dimensions 190×190×190 mm. Base platform for rapid prototyping and educational projects.
3D Printer FDM XYZprinting Da Vinci 1.0 Pro — printing with PLA and ABS plastics, model dimensions 200×200×200 mm. The closed body ensures stable conditions for high-quality printing of engineering parts.
3D printer SLA XYZprinting Nobel 1.0 — laser printing on photopolymer resins, model dimensions 125×125×200 mm. Provides significantly higher precision and surface quality compared to FDM, used for parts with small elements.
Milling and Turning Operations
Milling machines and the turning-milling center expand the capabilities of the CIE to recreate models not only from plastic but also from wood and soft metals.
Small milling machines cover three classes: working area 200×300×50 mm (spindle 0.2 kW, up to 8,000 rpm), 380×580×60 mm (spindle 1.5 kW, up to 24,000 rpm), and 410×300×75 mm (spindle 1.5 kW, up to 24,000 rpm). Large milling machine with a working area of 1100×800×250 mm and a spindle power of 3.2 kW allows for the processing of large workpieces.
Lathe-milling machine — maximum processing length 1400 mm, maximum diameter 300 mm, turning spindle power 2.5 kW, milling power 3.2 kW (up to 22,800 rpm). The combination of turning and milling operations in one machine significantly expands the range of products that can be manufactured in the center.
Cutting and engraving
Laser machine (CO₂, power 130 W) performs precise cutting and engraving of plastic and wood parts up to 20 mm thick in a field of 900×1450 mm. The technology ensures clean edges without mechanical contact, which is especially important for complex contours and decorative elements.
Plasma cutter with a working area of 1500×1500 mm is designed for cutting metal parts of various grades up to 15 mm thick. Along with the laser machine and milling machines, it covers the entire range of materials from paper and plastic to steel.
Cutting plotter (width of the field 420 mm) produces functional and decorative stickers from Oracal—for product labeling, prototype design, and educational materials.
Assembly and Finishing
Workbenches with a variety of tools, an installer’s work desk with soldering stations, and a set of hand power tools provide convenient manual assembly and installation of electronic components. A compressor and pneumatic tools for painting allow products to achieve a finished commercial appearance.
Laboratory of Welding Technologies
The CIR includes a separate welding technology laboratory, which expands the center’s capabilities to the production of metal structures and welded assemblies — from educational stands to prototypes of industrial equipment.
For whom the center is open
The CID is open to students and graduate students of IFNTUOG of all specialties, university teachers and researchers, as well as external stakeholders — enterprises, startups, and inventors who have a technical idea and need production infrastructure for its implementation. To start, simply register the project in the center’s information system on the website https://ro-ua.lab.nung.edu.ua