what exactly is a fab lab?
A Fab Lab, created by Neil Gershenfeld at MIT, is short for Fabrication Laboratory. It is a place meant to invent, tinker, prototype, learn, mentor, create, and play!
To qualify as a Fab Lab, the space must include a laser cutter for structure building, a copper sign cutter, a CNC milling machine for precision parts, a large wood router for furniture and housing, and electronics.
A Fab Lab is a place for many types of people:
To qualify as a Fab Lab, the space must include a laser cutter for structure building, a copper sign cutter, a CNC milling machine for precision parts, a large wood router for furniture and housing, and electronics.
A Fab Lab is a place for many types of people:
- Kids who like to learn new things
- Young adults looking to build workforce skills
- Adults seeking to build a resume
- Tinkerers wanting to make replacement parts and more
- Entrepreneurs wanting to invent a prototype
- Mentors, looking to share their skills and help people
How long does it take to master?
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Similarly, CAD and CAM knowledge doesn’t happen in one class. Each class adds to your skill set. Remember, everyone learns at their own pace! Don’t get discouraged, you can do it! The typical schedule seems to follow this pattern:
- On your own: watch safety class and Afinia H480 videos
- 1st class: Learn H480 3D printer and practice with a couple prints
- On your own: create a tinkerCAD account and practice simple designs
- 2nd class: Continue practicing H480 3D printer and finishing with the practical test
- On your own: Watch Afinia H800 videos
- 3rd class: Learn H800 3D printer and practice with a couple prints, finishing with the practical test
- On your own: watch Printrbot videos
- 4th class: Learn Printrbot 3D printer and practice with a couple prints, finishing with the practical test
- On your own: watch vinyl cutter videos
- 5th class: Learn vinyl cutter and practice cutting a couple designs
- On your own: watch laser engraver videos
- 6th class: Continue practicing vinyl cutter and take the practical test. Start learning laser engraver
- 7th class: Practice on laser engraver, designing and cutting a couple things, finishing with the practical test
- On your own: Watch Roland Milling Machine videos
- 8th class: Learn designing a nameplate in Solidworks and Roland Milling Machine
- 9th class: Practice designing in solidworks and milling
- 10th class: Practical test on designing in Solidworks and milling
- On your own: Watch ShopBot videos
- 11th class: Learn Shopbot and practice cutting a couple things.
- 12th class: Continue practicing Shopbot and finish with a practical test
- On your own: Design a final project and create it, achieving a Final Project Certificate
- 13th class: Teach a class on one of the machines, achieving a Fab Teaching Certificate
what kind of things can you Make?
A Fab Lab is meant to be able to make almost anything. The possibilities are too many to list. But here are a few pictures of what makers have created in our lab:
How do I Start taking Classes?
Call, or make an appointment at the front desk. We currently offer classes Mondays and Fridays, 3 each day. We will give you the paperwork to fill out at home. We will ask your name and phone number, and find an open time slot that works for you. Watch the machine tutorial videos and safety quiz on the main Fab Lab page as well.
Do I have to learn lots of complicated coding?
Not at all! Design programs can be super simple. www.tinkercad.com/ is probably the easiest for beginners and kids. Simply make an account (enter your birthday, create a username and password), drag a shape into the workspace, change the dimensions of the shape, save as an .stl file and you can print your creation from our printers. There is a tutorial at the beginning to learn other cool stuff. Other design software that we have installed on our computers includes Solidworks, AutoCAD Fusion 360, CorelDraw, Adobe, and Blendr.
The software to use for running the machines is fairly simple. The tutorial videos show about 90% of what there is to know. In one lesson, we teach the other 10%. We always have a step-by-step procedure list next to each machine that you can use (except the certification practical test). We usually begin with the Afinia printers because they are beginner friendly.
The software to use for running the machines is fairly simple. The tutorial videos show about 90% of what there is to know. In one lesson, we teach the other 10%. We always have a step-by-step procedure list next to each machine that you can use (except the certification practical test). We usually begin with the Afinia printers because they are beginner friendly.
What is the cost? This stuff can't possibly be free!
The classes are, in fact, free to all library patrons. The machines are free to use as well. Donations are welcome for classes and machine use.
We only ask for donations for the materials you use. You can bring your own materials or use ours, and we do ask an at-cost suggested donation (We hunt for the best deals possible)
We only ask for donations for the materials you use. You can bring your own materials or use ours, and we do ask an at-cost suggested donation (We hunt for the best deals possible)
- ABS filament for the 3D printers is $.03-$.05 per gram
- Specialty filament (flexible or infused filament is $.05-$.11 per gram.
- Vinyl is $.45 per sq. ft.
- Acrylic sheets are $5/sq. foot.
- We have lots of donated wood as well.
I have found something on the Internet that I want to make... Can I have you make it for me?
The short answer is no.
The long answer is:
Our lab is for people to learn to create stuff. As a Fab Lab in a library, we LOVE to teach people new skills. We teach a man to fish as the old saying goes. Accomplishing a seemingly daunting task improves self-esteem and gives a sense of self-worth. Plus, everything is a learning process. Why not take our classes?
Similarly, we can't have for profit use in our lab. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to prototype here, but large scale production is prohibited.
The long answer is:
Our lab is for people to learn to create stuff. As a Fab Lab in a library, we LOVE to teach people new skills. We teach a man to fish as the old saying goes. Accomplishing a seemingly daunting task improves self-esteem and gives a sense of self-worth. Plus, everything is a learning process. Why not take our classes?
Similarly, we can't have for profit use in our lab. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to prototype here, but large scale production is prohibited.
