How do we use and optimize Fab Lab

Geoffroi Garon-Épaule, M.A., DoctorantStartup Entrepreneur – Human Capital Valorization, Digital PygmalionResearcher and PhD Student in Communication, UQAMBoard administrator, Communautique Living Lab and Fab Lab

Workshop | October 22, 2015, Montreal

The World Conference on Mass Customization, Personalization, and Co-Creation

MCPC 2015

Customer drivensupply chains

(Frank Piller)to

User drivensocial innovation

BionicoHand

Nicolat Huchet, MyHumanKitShort Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYpECcEaM1E

Open Innovation SystemsEvents• Hackathons• Jams• Open Forums•World Café

Temporary systems• Public innovation laboratories• Codesign circle• ChangeLabs• Innovation Challenges

Long term systems• Living Labs•Fab Labs• Coworking space• Accelerator and Incubator• Venture Capital• Innovation communities

Contents• Open Data• Open Source• Open Science• Big Data

Source : Umvelt, Bluenove

Platforms• Crowdsourcing• Crowdfunding• Community of

practice

Digital fabrication SystemsFab LabVery specific set of requirements for space, tools, software and curriculum

MakerspaceMore mainstream vision of a publicly-accessiblecreative space, intended to enable as many crafts to the most significant extent possible.

HackerspaceLargely focus on repurposing hardware, working on electronic components, and programming.

TechshopA chain of for-profit spacesoffering public accessto high-end manufacturingequipment in exchangefor membership fees

Fabrication laboratories – fab labs – tools for sustainable development

Fab Lab : definition• Fab Lab contains various pieces of computer controlled

fabrication equipment ranging from 3D printers, laser cutters and milling machines to sewing and embroidery machines, not to mention a variety of electronic components and materials. • Fab Lab also provides access to computers and easy-to-

use design and manufacture software, capturing your ideas and turning them into reality at the press of a button.• The Fab Lab is staffed by friendly highly-skilled

technicians who can offer support and training in the use of the equipment. All we ask is that users share their ideas and knowledge and help fellow users to get the most out of the equipment and resources.

Fab Lab : MIT LabelTo be able to call your space a Fab Lab by MIT, you need to respect 4 elements :1. Public access to the fab lab. A fab lab is about democratizing

access to the tools for personal expression and invention. (Each week)

2. Subscribe to the fab lab charter. http://fab.cba.mit.edu/about/charter

3. Share a common set of tools and processes. The labs can share knowledge, designs, and collaborate across international borders.

4. participate in the larger, global fab lab network, that is, you can't isolate yourself. This is about being part of a global, knowlege-sharing community through the videoconference, attending the annual fab lab meeting, and otherwise collaborating and partnering with other labs in the network on workshops, challenges or projects.

http://wiki.fablab.is/wiki/ConditionsForFabLabLabel

Fab Lab : services

https://fablab.berlin/en/

Fab Lab : toolsFab lab currently comprises from $25-$65k in capital equipment and about $15-40k in consumables.You need to have this common set of tools computer controlled machines in your Fab Lab: 1. 3D printing machine (3,500$)2. Laser cutting machine (30,000$)3. CNC machine to milling various hard materials

(wood, composites, aluminum, plastics, etc. (20,000$)

4. Vinyl cutting machine (2,500$)Total of 100,000 $ in machineries and materials.

http://fab.cba.mit.edu/about/fab/inv.html

Fab Lab : process• Principles and practices• Project management• Computer-aided design• Computer-controlled cutting• Electronics production• Computer-controlled machining• Electronics design• Molding and casting• Composites• Embedded programming• 3D scanning and printing

http://academy.cba.mit.edu/classes/

• Input_devices• Interface and application

programming• Mechanical design• Output devices• Networking and

communications• Machine design• Applications and implications• Project development• Invention, intellectual property,

and income

Fab Lab : space

Modena, Italyhttp://www.fablabmodena.com

Fab Lab : peoples1. Champion/Fab manager : a local community leader who believes in and is passionate about the fab lab concept and what it can do for the community. the person who promotes the fab lab, gives tours of the fab lab and hadles press, manages the finances of the fab lab, raises funds for fab lab, develops community programs for fab lab, schedules the fab lab2. Fab Lab Guru/Technical expert : a background in mechanical engineering or design or possibly architecture, with some experience with electronics and/or computer programming. This is the person who will work directly with users and students in the fab lab. He/She will teach people how to use the software, the machines, and safety, as well as help people make and design their projects.+ technical support person (part time)+ external expertise and a lot of volunteers.

http://www.fabfoundation.org/fab-labs/setting-up-a-fab-lab/the-people

Fab Labs : ecosystem and support

The Fab Foundation was formed to facilitate and support the growth of the international fab lab network through the development of regional Fab Foundations and organizations.

The Fab Academy is the distributed education platform of the worldwide network of Fab Labs.

The Fab Wiki is a multilingual documentation platform to help implement fab labs around the world.

Fab Labs : video conference network

All labs have a screen open to others in the network

Fab Labs : community in the world

http://www.fabfoundation.org/fab-labs/

Over 300 Fab Labs around the world.Most of them : USA, UK, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands.

Fab Labs : Americas

Fab Labs des Amériques – 2015 -Communautique

Canada (9)

Education (44%)Citizen participation (33%)Startup (11%)

Sectors

• The first Canadian fab lab accredited by MIT• Is a participatory space where everyone has access to

technology and can learn to create, carry out projects and share knowledge with other community members.• It is a digital manufacturing lab and a place where

information is passed on to the masses. • The workshop allows for cross-pollination, open

innovation, the demystification of new technologies and ongoing development that relies on tangible objects—often interactive and connected to the Internet—as opposed to computer code.• http://echofab.org http://www.communautique.qc.ca

échoFab (Communautique)

Planification:100 days – Students (ETS University, QI)50 days – Educational projects (school)100 days – Startup and SME100 days – Public50 days – Family

Projects exemples :• Research : We use digital badges to recognize 21 century

skills in a non-formal learning approch in a Fab Lab and a Living Lab.• Prototyping : We codesign products or services for elders

in Fab Lab with students and olders persons (60+)

échoFab (Communautique)

Fab Lab advantages in BusinessWith a operational Fab lab open to public, you can access to a lot of new community and prototype with real users :• Roles : artist, engineer, entrepreneur, makers,

hackers, social innovator, student, researcher, etc.• Persona: kids (boys and girls), elders, person with a

disability, family, workers, etc.• Groups of interest : Education, health, startup,

economic, design, social, etc.

Future of social InnovationUmbrella

of opportunities and sense making(Smartcity, Silver economy, Internet of Object)

Ecosystemof spaces and codesign methodologies

(Open innovation Hub, Living Lab, Fab Lab)

Infrastructureof soft and hard technologies

(Connectivity, Platform, Building, City)

Thanks

Geoffroi Garon-Épaule, M.A., Doctorant@geoffroigaron - www.geoffroigaron.com

Startup Entrepreneur – Human Capital Valorization, Digital Pygmalion, www.pygmalionnumerique.com Researcher and PhD Student in Communication, UQAM, www.lca.uqam.ca Board administrator, Communautique Living Lab and Fab Lab www.communautique.qc.ca