When I got to the University of Arizona, this machine was not functional. I wanted to use it to make composite molds for an aircraft project (AIAA Design, Build Fly 2025). The machine shop essentially said "if you can fix it, you can use it!"
And so I did!
First, the control computer was broken, so I fixed it and upgraded its Windows version.
Then, the control software had some incorrect files and information that prevented it from connecting to this machine via its parallel interface, so I contacted the manufacturer who (to my gleeful surprise) provided me with working code to finish setting up the control software, and then finally the machine would respond to commands.
Now, my clubs and lab, other clubs, senior design teams, and the machine shop have used this thing after my repairs, and it is holding up well. This project was a fun learning experience and also very useful to other people in the department!
For DBF (same ones in the above picture)
With the now-working computer and connected machine.
A finished composite airframe used for the AIAA DBF 2025 competition.