1. Fab Labs ?
10 Questions, 1,000 Answers !
MARC DUCHESNE • SUSTAINABLE TERRITORIES BUILDER • MAI 2013

2. What is
a Fab Lab ?
Fab Labs are a global network of
local laboratories which boost the
creativity by providing access to
digital fabrication tools.
image : www.gaite-lyrique.netsource : imaginationforpeople.org

3. Who attends
the Fab Labs ?
Everybody.
Fab Labs are available as a
community resource, offering
access-free tools to individuals,
and specific programs under
registration to individuals or
enterprises.
image : www.iaacblog.comsource : imaginationforpeople.org

4. Who runs
the Fab Labs ?
To date, Fab Labs around the
World are operated either by
groups of individuals, universities,
or public-private clusters.
image : http://fablabbcn.org/

5. What to do in a
Fab Lab ?
On-demand manufacturing and
quick modification of goods
(books, decorative items, tools,
etc..), and rapid prototyping of
unique things.
image : www.fablabsd.orgsource : http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fab_lab

6. How to operate
a Fab Lab ?
In France, most of the Fab Labs
are sported by associations
made of individuals, businesses,
and government agencies.
image : www.bruplus.irisnet.be

7. Where to host a
Fab Lab ?
Fab Labs can be installed in any
easily accessible room at safety
standards, offering enough
space to accommodate
equipments, users and visitors, in
nice, comfortable conditions.
image : www.bibliotecapleyades.net

8. A Fab Lab, with
what ?
MIT Fab Labs do support diverse
fabrication activities by utilizing
compact computer-controlled
fabrication tools, to cut, drill,
machine, engrave, and slice most
non-metallic materials in different
forms and sizes : Laser cutter/
engraver, 3D-printer, CNC mill,
Vinyl cutter, etc.
Fab Labs also sports Electronics
stations : Arduino electronic kits,
soldering irons, hand tools for
electronics assembly, etc.
image : cucfablab.org

9. Fab Labs :
OK ?
The Fab Lab’ concept totally
wreaks havoc all the classic
patterns: end of planned
obsolescence, collaborative
creation of usual objects, self-
efficiency in the Third World, etc.
image : www.fablab-berlin.org

10. Fab Labs :
No OK ?
The Fab Lab Charter forbids the
fabrication of weapons and any
other dangerous objects (plastic
guns...), and the replication of
existing products for commercial
use (illegal copy).
image :“In the Line of Fire”, 1993, Columbia Pictures

11. When do we
start ?
You’ve got the motivation, the
team, the money ?
Then let’s start your Fab Lab
today !
There’s so many things to
MAKE !
image : http://www.stephanengl.com

13. Quick Start Guide :
http://www.fablabinternational.org
http://wiki.fablab.is
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fab_lab
http://blog.makezine.com/2011/11/11/fablab-
what-would-you-make

15. Marc Duchesne
+33 681 330 960
marc.duchesne@me.com
skype : miniotdr
twitter : mduchesn