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| Date post: | 20-Aug-2015 |
| Category: |
Technology |
| Upload: | fing-association |
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Fab Lab concept
Neil Gershenfeld (Center for Bits
and Atoms, MIT)
1998 - Course « How to make (almost) anything »
2002 – 1st Fab Lab built at MIT
Was made possible through:
• the standardization and democratization of design tools, rapid prototyping
• digital networking
• the dissemination of digital practices and uses
Fab Lab (fabrication laboratory)3 keywords : Make, Share, Learn
Access: you can use the fab lab to make almost anything, you must learn to do it yourself, and you must share use of the lab with other users.
Education : training in the fab lab is project-based, and delivered by peers; users are expected to contribute to project instruction and documentation.
Mutual responsibility: users are responsible for security/cleanliness/day-to-day operations
Openness: designs and processes developed in fab labs must remain available for individual use, although intellectual property can be protected however members choose.
Business activity: commercial activities can be incubated in fab labs, but they must not conflict with open access, they should grow beyond rather than within the lab, and they are expected to be of benefit to the inventors, labs, and networks that contribute to their success.
Fab Lab Charter
What is a Fab Lab ?
Fab Lab - Fabrication Laboratory : a worldwide netwok of local labs, where anyone can gain access to digital fabrication tools.
A platform for the rapid prototyping of physical objects that might also be ”smart”.
A physical space, open to everyone : 50-100 m2.
A site containing several pieces of professional-grade, numerically-controlled machinery: laser cutters, vinyl cutters, milling machines, etc.
Fab Labs support user innovation and facilitate bottom-up, open innovation
An emerging ecosystem Web platforms: etsy.com, instructables, thingiverse, etc.Media and events: Make / Maker Faire
For whom?
Designers, hackers, engineers, artists, «pro-ams», makers
Tools and Machines
small electronics
3D printer
laser cuttervinyl machine
CNC milling machine
computers and open source softwareCAD/CAM (Kokompe / Cad.py etc.)2D / 3D (Blender, Inkscape, Gimp, etc.)Programmation (Python, Tkinter, etc.)$30k / $90k
Fab Lab pourquoi faire?To do what?
Rapid prototyping
Small production
runs
Individual piece production (tinkering, personnalisation)
Training
Repairs, recycling, DIY…
Artistic projects
Research
The Fab Lab Network
«Open Lab»days- free access- orientation/ improved understanding
Training workshops- machine usage, introduction to electronic,…- Advanced courses : machine skills, bootcamps, circuit bending, etc.
Rental by appointment- booking entire space, specific machines, hiring the services of a tutor
Services Offered
Director
- Imparts overall Fab Lab strategy - Fundraising
- Partner relations
Fab Manager
- Day-to-day lab management
- Greets and informs public
- Project support
- Machine repair and maintenance
- Workshop and training support
Intern(s)
- Helps the Fab manager with
ongoing tasks
- Greets the public
The Fab Lab team
Ecosystem and Network
Fab (X) conference
innovative globetrotters
Individual projects
A mix of the physical and digital
Niche-market projects...
…and large-scale projects
Taxonomy
•Fab Labs supported by a school or university
•Foster learning by doing, allow students to produce prototypes
•Transdisciplinary projects
Educational Fab Labs
•Laboratory providing rapid prototyping facilities, machines for hire, consulting services, training and customized services
•Businesses , entrepreneurs, ”pro-ams”
Private Fab Lab
•Open to all, with the aim of providing access to the tools, practices and a culture of digital fabrication
•User profile: public first-timers who want to complete small projects, pro-ams who want to develop their concepts
•Projects : based on local demand and that foster local skills
General Access Fab Lab
Fab Lab Goals
Educational: learning by doing, the right to fail, transdisciplinarity
Empowerment: create rather than consume technology
Respond to local needs: relocalised or niche market
Bottom-up innovation: tinker, invent, recycle, "garage"…
New kingdom for incubators?
