workshops 2010

Workshop Fab Lab

3D modeling with SketchUp & 3D printing - March 24 & 25

Computer Aided Design (Vectorworks) & lasercutting - March 31 & April 1

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You could say that you can make anything with a computer and some proper hardware machinery these days. There are machines that cut, drill or bend your ideas into shape using your design made on the computer. In most cases you still rely on professional material or industrial labs (read expensive) to do so. But there is an alternative. The Fab Lab.

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Fablab stands for Fabrication Laboratory. It is a small workshop with an array of computer controlled tools, with the aim to make "almost anything". While Fab Labs have yet to compete with mass production and its associated economies of scale in fabricating widely distributed products, they have already shown the potential
to empower individuals to create smart devices for themselves. These devices can be tailored to local or personal needs in ways that are not practical or economical using mass production.

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This week (March 18th), the first fablab in Ghent is opening as part of Timelab.org

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The focus of the workshop is twofold :

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On the one side we'd like to introduce you to software tools you need for drafting, sketching or modeling your project:

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We'll teach you the basics of SketchUp, a 3D modeling program designed for architects, artists, filmmakers, game developers, ... This application became very popular in recent years. The big benefit of this free program is that it is very intuitive and easy to use compared to other 3D CAD programs.
Another tool we'll introduce is Vectorworks. This software is one of the most popular CAD tools among architects, engineers, landscapers and machine designers. It provides much more functionality, a higer level of precision and is more technical compared to sketchup. Vectorworks is free for students.

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On the other side we would like to introduce you to the Timelab. We'll explore the possibilities of both Sketchup and Vectorworks to turn your designs into real objects, using the tools available in the timelab. There's a vinyl cutter, a small lasercutter, a 3D milling machine and a 3D reprap printer. If these do not fit your needs : we'll show you how to prepare your design to take it to a professional lab.

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The schedule looks as followed :

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march 24th : about the timelab + introduction Sketchup
march 25th : using the timelab machines

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march 31st : about the timelab + introduction Vectorworks
april 1st : using the timelab machines

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Requirements :
Bring a computer with SketchUp / Vectorworks installed. If you don't have one let us know in advance.

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These workshops take place in the Timelab, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 21 - 9000 Ghent