Building a FabLab - Material List and Recommendations

[Timothy D. Rossi]

Hello Group,
I just singed up for this group and will thank you in advance for any feedback.

I'm putting together an overview, as well as a proposal to create a fablab.

I've been researching various websites in creating this overview, including what would be necessary to create and build a physical fablab.

I've found some good information on the MIT site, but I haven't found much feedback on functioning fablabs and some of their recommended procedures and practices in this process.

I'd like to find a list of initial costs and recommended physical space required to achieve this. Obviously the costs will fluctuate based on the systems and machinery chosen, but  some advice on this process would be excellent.

I was wondering if anyone on this list has any knowledge, experience or recommendations in this process.

Any feedback on this, including recommended fabrication manufacturers (until they can be self manufactured), and software would be greatly appreciated.

I'd enjoy hearing about any fablab experiences from other members.

Thanks in advance for any feedback,
Tim

[Peter Troxler]

You might want to look at the plans of Fablab Tulsa: http://fablabtulsa.com -- and there is a lot of practical information on the site of the Amsterdam Fablab (The Netherlands, most in English): http://amsterdam.fablab.nl -- or contact me directly for more details / Peter

[Jerry Isdale]

Hi Tim

I've been gathering info for my space too. I'm also checking out the hackerspaces community which can be similar to fab labs and TechShop places. Hackerspaces tend to be more of a geek hangout/learning/experimentation place. So far I've found both NYCResistor and CrashSpace (LA) to be quite fun, mostly for the community aspect.

A laser cutter seems to be the most common item. The most common vendor is Epilog, possibly for its location on the price/quality spectrum. I've been looking at some other vendors (Universal, Trotec) that are a bit higher on that scale and at some spaces. Trotec gets high marks for reliability, etc from those I've talked to. Cost is a fair bit higher than Epilog or Universal. There are a bunch of cheap lasers (<$ than epilog) but I've heard they are cheap in both uses of the word. I'd rather spend a bit more for a working machine, than waste the $$ on a flaky box.

After that, spaces vary heavily. I have a Makerbot Cupcake 3d printer and am active with the local LA owner group. It is ok for tinkerers but not something I'd put in a general population/heavy use area - yet. They are constantly improving it, and the next round of plastruder looks pretty reliable (finally!!)

I recently got a small die/vinyl cutter but now need a PC to drive it - no Mac software at present. Since a PC is required for most lasers, and CNC and ... i figure I gotta break down and buy a windoze box.

A good electronics workbench is high on my want list - i'm tired of using cheap folding tables that cant hold a clamp.

[Peter Troxler]

Hi, me again ... one thing that's probably not so obvious is that Fab Labs typically connect to the videoconferencing mcu at MIT. Instead of dedicated polycom SW, Neil currently recommends this configuration:

Acer AS7736Z-4015 17.3-Inch Laptop (Blue)
Price: $599.99
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-AS7736Z-4015-17-3-Inch-Laptop-Blue/dp/B0...

Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 - Black [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]
Price: $73.49
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Webcam-Pro-9000-Frustration-Free/dp/...

running Windows, I presume, and using the ConferenceMe software downloaded from the MCU.

[Jerry Isdale]

According to the mit web page they use H.323 or SIP and have clients for Windows (ConferenceMe), Mac (XMeeting) and Linux (Ekiga).


Peter Troxler said:

Hi, me again ... one thing that's probably not so obvious is that Fab Labs typically connect to the videoconferencing mcu at MIT. Instead of dedicated polycom SW, Neil currently recommends this configuration:

Acer AS7736Z-4015 17.3-Inch Laptop (Blue)
Price: $599.99
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-AS7736Z-4015-17-3-Inch-Laptop-Blue/dp/B0...

Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 - Black [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]
Price: $73.49
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Webcam-Pro-9000-Frustration-Free/dp/...

running Windows, I presume, and using the ConferenceMe software downloaded from the MCU.

[Peter Troxler]

that's correct, and the mcu is at mcu.cba.mit.edu, conference number 1 is the fablab channel

[Andres Gonzalez - RhinoFabLab]

Hi, we at McNeel, the company that makes Rhino3D, will be showing a proposal at the AIA event next month. Here is a link of the event. One thing we will try to make since the beginning is to distinguish different RhnoFabLabs. Like, a RhinoFabLab for Jewelry, for Architects and for IDs.

http://web.me.com/rhino3dtv/TV/3DWORLD.html

Hope this helps...

Andres Gonzalez
www.rhino3d.com
www.RhinoFabLab.com

[Jerry Isdale]

Avoid the Acer laptops. I got one (not same model as it isnt available anymore), and didnt use it for a while. Then when I went to hook it up to my new Epilog laser, it got a few prints out then refused to come out of sleep mode. Now it wont boot - blank screen, only a few LEDs. Acer support was minimal and took days to reply. Now they say i'm s.o.l. and need to pay for any repairs, etc. Shipping for me costs $50-100 each way. I bought a desktop at costco to run things instead. Now I'll take apart the acer and use it for some other hack.