H.G. Fenton Company Idea Lab
The H.G. Fenton Company Idea Lab is a part of SDSU’s ZIP Launchpad. The Lab is staffed with a team of 6-8 interns,
all skilled in various disciplines. The Idea Lab helps startup teams and other on-campus
students and organizations to bring their ideas to fruition, at no additional charge
to them. The lab contains 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC mills, CNC routers, an electronic
station, and many other tools.
H.G. Fenton Company Idea Lab Services
Technical student interns representing a variety of disciplines are available to assist in early-stage development of your business idea. See our services and portfolio below:
Logo and Branding
Simple Logo Development
Typography and Branding
ZIP Launchpad teams are avaliable to commission a free basic logo with an average
1 week turnaround from the designer on staff with the lab.
Software Demo
UI/UX Mockup
Clickable Prototypes
Software Design Feedback
Computer Science & design interns are available to design clickable software prototypes
which showcase the features of your app or website.
Hardware Demo
CAD / 3D Modelling
Photorealistic Renders
3D Printing
Hardware Design Feedback
Mechanical Engineering students can help you design and render a photo-realistic model
of your product idea, often used as an extremely effective communication tool between
inventors and customers.
Website Development
Landing Page w/ Features Overview
Product Page w/ Intent to Purchase
Analytics
The H.G. Fenton Company Idea Lab can help launch teams build and host a basic website for feature testing, intent
to purchase, and early adopter acquisition. All you need to provide is a domain!
Demo Video
With professional video editing software, the H.G. Fenton Company Idea Lab staff can
take your demo or prototype and build a demonstration video that can be used for customer
feedback, promotion, channel testing, or fundraising.
Prototyping Tools and Machinery
- Roughly 1000 sq ft of space
- Workbenches and additional folding tables available
- Dual monitor workstations with a variety of design software available
- Materials storage available
- Ultimaker 3
- Formlabs Form 2
- Robo R2
- XYZ DaVinci - RepRap Mod
- Stratasys Mojo
- Universal Systems VLS350 50W laser engraver / cutter
- Levil 400
- ShopBot
- Roland mdx-40a
- Manual 3-axis mill
- Screwdrivers, files, measuring tape, calipers, handsaw, knife, and other basic hand tools
- Hand Drill and Drill Press
- Table Saw
- Band Saw
- Miter Saw / Chop Saw
- Router / Router Table
- Scroll Saw
- Sewing Machine
- Jig Saw / Circular Saw
- Heat Gun
- DC Power Supply
- Oscilliscope
- Solder Station w/ fan
- Supply of basic capacitors, resistors, transistors, and other components
About the Lab
Where San Diego Business Starts
The H.G. Fenton Company Idea Lab provides a range of machines and resources that students use to build, test, and iterate their products.
Technical student interns are trained in the latest rapid prototyping technologies available in the lab, and use the tools to quickly prototype and test their ideas. These resources help teams deliver an effective solution to customers in the shortest time possible.
We provide value to teams in the ZIP Launchpad via two ways:
- H.G. Fenton Company Idea Lab Services
- Prototyping tools and workspace
Use the link below to show what your project is and share details as what your expectations for your deliverables are.
The H.G. Fenton Company Idea Lab is an addition to the San Diego State University ZIP Launchpad. The Idea Lab will help students bring their ideas to life at no cost to our teams. Envisioned at the start was a lab with diverse tools and machines to help our teams with ideas from all seven Colleges. The lab contains 3D printers, a laser cutter, CNC mills, CNC routers, and many other tools. Engineering alumni will help the non-tech savvy each step of the way.
Hype Audio, a student team with only business students, is building a music device to listen while surfing. Their vision is great, however, they need support from an engineering perspective to make it possible. The H.G. Fenton Company Idea Lab provides this to Hype Audio. They are introduced to the limitations of different technologies, the costs associated with each, and planning practices to go from idea to prototype.
CNC Mills and 3D printers are not readily available to anyone and they can be a major hurdle for most start-ups. Vena is a ZIP Launchpad team building a power-free water condenser that can provide water for people living in extremely arid conditions. The H.G. Fenton Company Idea Lab offered the tools and resources that made it possible for Vena’s team to start building their product on campus. Vena is now successfully producing proofs of concepts that will be the foundation of more sophisticated prototypes.
Thank you H.G. Fenton Company for your amazing support in making the lab a reality!
Prototyping Support
ZIP Launchpad Teams: The H.G. Fenton Company Idea Lab can help develop your demo in 1-2 weeks. Technical student interns are available to assit with early stage product development and company identity.
Prerequisities for accessing H.G. Fenton Company Idea Lab services:
- Approval from your ZIP Advisor
- E-Track Findings
- Lab Intake Form
*available based on current lab resources
*If you are unable to submit a lab intake form by these dates, we cannot proceed with your prototype
For MGT 358 Students:
At the H.G. Fenton Company Idea Lab we have engineers and designers on staff to support your enetrprenerial and product development efforts. If you attended the ZIP Launchpad Rapid Prototyping Workshop, then you are eligible to receive a free hardware or software prototype in the form of a 3D render. Please follow these steps to access the service:
- Intake Form: Use the link below to show what your project is and share details as what your expectations
for your deliverables are. Please complete this before your scheduled design meeting.
The information you input will be discussed in the design meeting.
- Design Meeting: Meet with the Lab Manager to agree on a final deliverable and to learn the approach
we will take. There will be a variety of options available to you such as:
- 3D printed prototypes
- We allow 1 revision after completion if necessary. The more detail you provide, the lower the likelihood you will need a revision
- Delivery: You will receive your prototype via email or if a 3D Print you will be asked to pick it up at the H.G. Fenton Company Idea Lab at EIS-101 from 10AM-4PM Monday-Friday.
For MGT 420 Students:
- Submit a lab intake form for in-depth video creation with Powtoon
- After submitting a lab intake form, a ZIP Launchapd graphic design intern will contact you to arrange a meeting
- After meeting with a ZIP Launchpad graphic design intern, you will be allowed 1 revision after completion if necessary. The more detail you provide, the lower the likelihood you will need a revision.