Prototyping at Seoul FabLab
Last week we moved to the FabLab in Seoul with the intention of further investigating and testing new ways of approaching our projects.
What is a FabLab?
Fab Lab is the educational outreach component of MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA), an extension of its research into digital fabrication and computation. A Fab Lab is a technical prototyping platform for innovation and invention, providing stimulus for local entrepreneurship. A Fab Lab is also a platform for learning and innovation: a place to play, to create, to learn, to mentor, to invent. To be a Fab Lab means connecting to a global community of learners, educators, technologists, researchers, makers and innovators- -a knowledge sharing network that spans 30 countries and 24 time zones. Because all Fab Labs share common tools and processes, the program is building a global network, a distributed laboratory for research and invention.
fabfoundation.org
Why do we use FabLab?
When you pass through the door, the atmosphere we found in the FabLab of Seoul was fresh, young, and energetic. At that time a workshop was being held in one of its areas, where neighbors were creating their own kitchen cutting tables.
One of the advantages of using the FabLab is the working size of the laser, which ascends to a surface of 1300x900mm. It is able to cut from wood to leather.
As we have already said, because of the creative environment of the FabLab network, is suitable for prototyping in general, both for advice, training, or for their adjusted fees.
It is necessary however to have some training and knowledge to be able to access these tools. The need to have a specialist in digital tools can be helpful in this case. The FabLab itself also offers its own courses to train the general public.
Our experience
We were greeted by Mr. Kang, an impeccable manager, who led us to the laser cutter. We already had prior contact with him via email. He showed us the facilities and equipment we were going to use.
In this case, the language of this laser cutter was different from what we had previously used, but the import was really easy, since after all, we still work with vectors. It also supports raster files, and import from PDF.
It is always necessary to have a calibration and certain tests on the material on which the final part is to be cut, in order to adjust the laser’s power according to the material and its thickness.
Finally, in this version, we have introduced manual processes to improve the final product as, for example, the use of varnishes to dye surfaces.
We are sure that due to the possibilities and flexibility offered by a place of creation like this, we will continue advancing towards the final product.
