About SIF

The Scientific Instruments Facility (SIF), which has been operated since 1987 by the Physics Department at Boston University, specializes in the highly accurate machining and fabrication of all types of experimental hardware, including vacuum chambers, telescopes, positioning tables, electron guns, manipulators, cryostats, and more. We are here to serve the entire university community, from any department. We have designed and built every thing from parts for satellites to robotic lobsters to baby kick mobiles.

The SIF works with stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, nickel, copper, ceramic and a wide variety of plastics, and has the ability to turn your ideas into functional scientific hardware. The SIF employs a staff of senior experimental machinists with many years of experience in CNC as well as manual machining, CAD/CAM programming and all types of welding and fabrication. Services are available to anyone from within or outside the University who may be in need of custom-machined parts. We are dedicated to providing timely, cost effective, and practical solutions to all of your hardware needs.