The second place with a fun name that I visited today name was the Derry Fab Lab, which I stumbled upon purely by accident. This is one hundreds of "Fabrication Laboratories" run through the Fab Foundation. The Fab Foundation is a non-profit organisation that emerged fro MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms, and is dedicated to bringing 3D printing technology to people around the world, or, as their motto states, to "Allow anyone to make (almost) anything." As someone who has been looking into 3D printing, this place was simply astounding. The problem that most people run into with this sort of technological progress is that is costs far too much. "Digital Fabrication" is an amazing, ever expanding field, but the machines necessary are not cheap. The Fab Labs are a way to work around this.
The Fab Foundation is very complex, with three branches: education, organization/capacity building, and business. I will be talking about the organization side of the Foundation, as that is what I explored today. I highly recommend taking a look at their about page here to get an understanding of the full scope of the services of the Fab Foundation.
The Fab Foundation is very complex, with three branches: education, organization/capacity building, and business. I will be talking about the organization side of the Foundation, as that is what I explored today. I highly recommend taking a look at their about page here to get an understanding of the full scope of the services of the Fab Foundation.
The Fab Labs are a land of opportunity for people looking to digitally create. Each one adheres to the Fab Charter, and include a long list of machines capable of creating using different medias. This website gives a great overview of the machines, which include:
- computers and tablets for designing, running freeware designing/3D designing software
- 3D scanners
- 3D printers
- large-scale woodcutters
- laser-cutting and engraving machines
- vinyl cutters
- precision millers
- machines for building various electronic pieces
There are a few more, but that's the basic list. The idea here is that anyone anywhere can design and build something, then send the plans and files to anyone at any other fab lab, and have that other person recreate it. This is pretty incredible in and of itself, and even more impressive when you consider that people are using the facilities here to create things including portable speakers, tables, chairs, puppet theaters (as you can see in the picture) dolls, craft supplies (like rubber stamps) and so much more.
- computers and tablets for designing, running freeware designing/3D designing software
- 3D scanners
- 3D printers
- large-scale woodcutters
- laser-cutting and engraving machines
- vinyl cutters
- precision millers
- machines for building various electronic pieces
There are a few more, but that's the basic list. The idea here is that anyone anywhere can design and build something, then send the plans and files to anyone at any other fab lab, and have that other person recreate it. This is pretty incredible in and of itself, and even more impressive when you consider that people are using the facilities here to create things including portable speakers, tables, chairs, puppet theaters (as you can see in the picture) dolls, craft supplies (like rubber stamps) and so much more.
Another quintessential part of the Fab Labs is that they be accessible to the public. The way this works at the lab in Derry is that, every Friday, people can sign up for free classes on how to use a specific machine. After a class that usually lasts about 3 hours, staff member will 'certify' the person in using that machine, and, from then on, that person can book time slots to come in and use said machine as much as they want (with staff supervision). The only cost is that of the raw materials (ie. plastic, wood, vinyl) that they are printing with of cutting out.
I have to say, wandering around this place, I felt like I'd just entered some magical pocket dimension of pure awesomeness where everything was suddenly possible. The idea that I could, if I so desired, walk off the street, sign up for some classes, and learn to become proficient with 3D printers was just mind boggling, and the fact that it's all free just added to my amazement.
Admittedly, I had a hard time containing my daydreams as I walked around all of these machines just waiting for someone to use them....
Admittedly, I had a hard time containing my daydreams as I walked around all of these machines just waiting for someone to use them....
The community feeling of the space was lovely as well. Staff members were amazingly friendly, and were glad to show me around their facility. I watched people teaching each other, bouncing ideas back and forth, and discovering new things with each other's influences. This lab isn't just a collection of fancy machinery. It's a place where people come to learn, imagine and create.
Needless to say, I was totally sold by the time I strolled back out, and I plan to continue to do more extensive research into the Fab Foundation. After all, just because there is no Fab Lab in Denver yet doesn't mean there can't be one in the future....
Needless to say, I was totally sold by the time I strolled back out, and I plan to continue to do more extensive research into the Fab Foundation. After all, just because there is no Fab Lab in Denver yet doesn't mean there can't be one in the future....