Tag Archives: UK

First-of-its-Kind Fabrication Lab in UK Gets Government Support

A Fabrication Lab, or “Fab Lab”, is a place where small business owners can reserve time on expensive 3D printing and laser cutting machinery to produce prototypes of their new products.

In the UK, the first Fab Lab to reach commercial appeal is based in New Islington, Manchester. Yesterday they received a visit from UK Business Secretary Vince Cable.

As part of his visit, Dr Cable was able to test some of the equipment himself and met students of the Fab Academy, a diploma programme taught via video link by world-renowned scientist and Fab Lab founder [MIT Professor] Neil Gershenfeld.

Since opening in March 2010, over 3,000 small manufacturers, inventors, schools and community groups have used Fab Lab Manchester.

Dr Cable said: “There is a wealth of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit in the UK, as demonstrated by the Fab Lab.

More details on the Manchester Fab Lab available here http://www.fablabmanchester.org/