An Essential Training Module

The machining practicals are a key milestone in your engineering journey at EPFL. This short and intensive training will allow you to master essential machining skills — a valuable asset for your future career.

What you’ll gain:

• Mastery of fundamental machining techniques
• Hands-on understanding of manufacturing processes
• Development of technical drawing interpretation skills
• Strengthened critical thinking and problem-solving abilities

To ensure an effective learning experience, the machining practicals take place directly in EPFL’s mechanical workshops:

• Duration: 4 intensive days (3 machining + 1 fitting/assembly)
• Supervision: led by experts from the PAT (Technical Workshop Platform) and SPOT
• Ideal supervision ratio: maximum 6 students per instructor
• Workshops: ATME, ATMX, ATPR, and SPOT — all equipped with cutting-edge tools

Several sessions are offered to fit your academic calendar:

• March session (reserved for students going on exchange)
• July sessions (priority given to exchange students)
• August/September sessions

Registration (via MOODLE) is announced annually by email:

• ✅ Opening: early February
• ❌ Closing: end of February
• First-come, first-served basis

Eligible students:

• Students in BA4
• Students in BA6 who didn’t validate the workshop the previous year
• BA1 students advancing to BA4 after winter exams will be called the following year

Important Guidelines

• The machining practicals are mandatory to complete your Bachelor’s degree
• Students requesting an exemption (e.g., due to a completed CFC in automation) must still register and send supporting documents to smt@epfl.ch
• Any absence or delay during the workshop must be justified to Bertrand Lacour bertrand.lacour@epfl.ch

Invalidation

The workshop will be invalidated in the following cases:

• No-show
• Repeated delays
• Withdrawal without valid justification
• Dismissal due to misconduct or serious offense

Priority for Exchange Students

Students going on exchange benefit from priorityaccess to the March and July sessions.

The Gyroscope Spinner!
A project specially designed to combine theory and practice.

• A fun object you get to keep
• Concrete application of key physics concepts:
  • Friction, torque, angular speed
  • Rotational inertia
  • Conservation of angular momentum
  • Gyroscopic effect and precession
• Introduction to inertial navigation systems

Goal 1: Master basic machining operations

You will apply several techniques using three different materials (aluminum, brass, and stainless steel):

• Facing and milling
• Turning and drilling
• Tapping
• Deburring, chamfering, and rounding
• Precision fitting

Goal 2: Learn essential assembly techniques

You will learn how to:

• Eliminate degrees of freedom and constrain movement
• Work with tolerances
• Perform different types of fits (tight and loose)
• Assemble shoulders and bearings
• Install springs and screws

This compact project lets you apply all your acquired skills while creating a functional object that illustrates core principles.

Over these four days, you’ll dive into the real world of machining and mechanical manufacturing. You’ll work in small teams on a hands-on project that allows immediate application of your theoretical knowledge.

This practical experience is mandatory to complete your Bachelor’s program.

Bertrand Lacour (bertrand.lacour@epfl.ch)