Fab lab: what is a digital fabrication lab and how it works

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A fab lab (short for fabrication laboratory) is a place where innovative ideas can be shared and created. It was created to provide access to state-of-the-art machinery such as 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC milling machines, which allow you to design prototypes.

A fab lab is also an open community where makers, students, professionals and the simply curious collaborate learn and share their knowledge. Indeed, fab labs aim to foster the ‘do it yourself‘ (DIY) movement to innovate from local resources.

Table of contents

What is a fab lab?

The first fab lab, created in 2003 by Neil Gershenfeld, chief of the Center for Bits and Atoms at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, was an attempt to make digital fabrication accessible to the general public.

Today, the goals of a fab lab, shared by the Fab Foundation (the organisation that promotes the fab lab network worldwide), are:

How does a fab lab work?

Generally, fab labs are large open spaces. Users here can:

The fab labs also provide courses in design, electronics and programming.

What tools can I find in a fab lab?

Fab lab offer a variety of machines, such as:

Moreover, within the fab labs it is possible to receive support both during the design phase and during the realisation of the artefact.

fabrication laboratory

Who can access a fab lab?

The philosophy behind the fab labs is based on open access and collaboration. The labs are designed for everyone, from beginners to experts. They can therefore access the fab labs:

Each actor is committed to community projects, also involving schools, NGOs such as JO Education and local authorities.

What benefits does a fab lab provide?

1. Accessibility to manufacturing technologies

The high cost of digital fabrication technologies is often an obstacle; however, fab labs manage to circumvent this by making machines accessible that would otherwise require significant investment.

2. Networking

Fab labs foster brainstorming and relationships between people from different social backgrounds, fostering the cross fertilisation of skills.

3. Training

For all those who wish to enter the world of work, fab labs represent a great opportunity. In them, it is possible to acquire practical and theoretical knowledge on the use of tools.

4. Sustainability

Fab labs promote environmental sustainability by encouraging practices such as repairing and reusing materials. Fab labs strive for a green economy.

Where can I find the fab lab nearest to me?

The network of fab labs is constantly expanding (there are more than 500). To find your nearest fab lab, you can consult the Fab Foundation website, which includes them all.

Once you find the right fab lab, you can participate in introductory courses, guided tours or even workshops to explore the potential of digital fabrication labs.

JO Education Innovation Hub Catania promotes fab labs

A fab lab is much more than just a laboratory: it can give rise to fantastic projects, ranging from research and development (R&D) to low-cost prototyping; from craftsmanship to social innovation; from robotics to educational gamification.

Fab labs are revolutionising the world of prototyping. If you have a project to propose to a fab lab, contact us. We will be happy to evaluate it and help you realise it.

Looking for a partner for innovative projects? You found it in JO Education!
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