What is a Fab Lab?
"A Fab Lab (fabrication laboratory) is a fully kitted fabrication workshop which gives everyone in the community from small children through to entrepreneurs and businesses, the capability to turn their ideas and concepts into reality."
The aim is to make almost anything!
Manchester has been chosen as the first city in the UK to host a Fab Lab, a community inventors' workshop where new products can be built by both businesses and individuals. It was born out of Massachusetts Institute of Technology see about us for more info.
To see what the Fab Lab can do for you, select the appropriate box below:
BUSINESS USERS
The Manchester Fab Lab offers businesses of all sizes the opportunity to develop and make prototypes for new product ideas. Alongside the equipment, the Fab Lab staff will help you by bringing expertise in a variety of development disciplines. From precision laser cutters to accurate moulding and milling equipment, the Fab Lab contains everything you need to produce accurate 3D models and prototypes of all descriptions.
SCHOOL USERS
If you’re a school and are looking to stimulate creativity and spark innovation, then Fab Lab is the ideal place to start. Fab Lab can help children realise their potential and go beyond the classroom boundaries. The Fab Lab can be used for single events or frequently as part of a project.
COMMUNITY USERS
If you’re a community group or organisation that would like a space to meet and to develop new ideas, build teams or make something incredible, the Fab Lab is here for you. Whether you're into arts, crafts, sports or science, everybody is welcome.
INDIVIDUAL USERS
If you’re an entrepreneur or inventor and want to create products and solve problems, then Fab Lab is the place for you or if you’re an individual with a fantastic idea that you want to make quickly, cheaply and easily, then Fab Lab can help you.
Model Boat
I had been wanting to make a model boat for some time – part of a challenge really. The project was only supposed to take an hour or so, its something I been thinking of doing for a school activity day. With the canal just outside it seemed like an ideal way to spend an hour or so on a sunny afternoon. The boat is not radio controlled, basically it goes in a straightish line.
Software
Here is a list of the design tools and software that are used in Fab Lab Manchester
‘Fab Lab-ulous!!
The UK’s first Fab Lab has opened in Manchester’s landmark Chips Building – bringing innovation to the people - in a hi-tech community mini-factory.
Basic Vacuum Bagging
A simple guide on how to vacuum bag form "friendly" composites. This uses a cotton fabric as the mesh and smooth on plastic for the glue.
Fab Coaster!
A Fab Lab essential for all those coffee drinkers who prefer not to leave rings!!
Digital Trees
FutureEverything in partnership with the Fab Lab ran the Fab Lab Challenge. It offered 18 artists each a full session in the lab to create a new piece of work from scratch in 8 hours. At the start of each session the Fab Lab team gave the artists a loose theme to respond to in making their work. The session I was involved in was themed ‘Urban Interventions within a Digital World.’ I made some digital trees...
Sponsorship
Fab Labs are designed to bring innovation to grass roots, to provide local solutions for local problems. The aim is to provide everyone with the opportunity to design and create something to improve their lives, and hopefully others too! With this in mind we need support from many areas to make this work from people to skills, equipment and resources.
Launched loved by the press 23rd March 2010
Fab Lab Manchester is media magic today... catch us on: BBC North west tonight BBC Radio 5 Live - Drive program BBC Radio Manchester Breakfast show Article in the Financial times
Marble Maze Computer
For a long time I’ve been trying to design a mechanical computer, similar to what Charles Babbage tried to build with his difference engine and analytical engine. Babbage never finished his computers because he had enormous problems making the precise custom parts he needed with 19th century technology. With access to a Fablab, I can make similar machine parts in a matter of a few hours. My design is very different to Babbage’s and uses moving marbles or ball bearings to represent data.
Fab Lab Fotos
How to set up your eye fi enabled camera to link to the central fab fotos picasa album
Materials Needed
Fab Lab is always looking for raw materials. We welcome off-cuts or perhaps you would like to donate some materials which we can use for school or community projects.
Volunteering
Fab Lab Manchester is always looking for keen, interested folks to help us help others make things. It doesn't matter how much time you can spare.
Water Filtration Apple Model
This is the model of a final year project which involved the development of a water filtration system in the shape of an Apple for use in third world countries with children.
