For the past week, the student chapter of the Institute of Industrial Engineers has supported the setup of a mobile fabrication laboratory in the Brickyard.
The “Fab Lab” is a portable, working creation lab set up in the Brickyard from Oct. 11-21. The fab lab came stocked with top-notch design technology that’s available for the student body to utilize.
With graffiti-style paint covering the trailer in bright and neon colors, the fab lab is hard to miss.
Until Friday of this week, students can visit the fab lab and use its technological and engineering tools like the laser cutter, electronics workbench and the “ShopBot” to make anything from customized t-shirts to 3D printouts.
Eilene Hansen, a senior in communications, said she’s familiar with 3D printers but is interested in learning more.
“I think it’s awesome that the 3D printer was invented by N.C . State professors and I’m excited to see how it will advance in the future. I’d like to see them print a building,” Hansen said.
Along with the fabrication and electronics equipment, the fab lab has tools for innovation and enterprise that teach students about technical skills and entrepreneurial culture.
The fab lab program was created at the Center for Bits and Atoms at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The program promotes entrepreneurship and technological advancement among communities.
Union Activities Board Issues and Ideas Chair Emily Holder, a senior in psychology, said that the tools available in the fab lab help students gain valuable skills and knowledge that can help them create solutions to the world’s toughest problems.
Holder said she likes that students from any discipline can learn how to create something from the technology, even if they have no experience.
“Personally, when I think of a laser cutter I think of something from Star Wars that is way beyond my time or skill set. But the lab taught me how to use a laser cutter and make a cool design on a pint glass. Being able to take away a product that I helped design is exciting and empowering,” Holder said.
The versatility of the fabrication tools and the capabilities of the software are what spark interest in users from many different fields. The fab lab’s cutting-edge technology and eye-catching appearance are what set it apart from the competition.
Eric Horth , a junior in business administration, said he saw the trailer and had to do a double-take. Horth said his initial interest in seeing the lab stemmed from its outward appearance that left him guessing.
“I passed it on the way to class and there were a lot of people out there so I decided to check it out,” Horth said.
After the look inside, the lab revealed itself to be a technological powerhouse. Horth said he was impressed by all the lab had to offer. It proved to be an innovative mobile unit that is giving students the great opportunity to play in a technology sandbox.
“It would be really cool if those were the kinds of tools and software that we got to use everyday. I think a lot could change,” Horth said.
The idea behind the fab lab program is to create somewhat of a technological library that is full of resources and tools, like books, that can be utilized for advancement.
Fab Lab Carolinas has sponsored the fab lab and hopes to continue to bring groundbreaking fabrication and electronics tools to the campus community. With programs available for children and adults, Fab Lab Carolinas is stretching the limits and closing the technological divide.
After hearing about the fab lab from one of her friends, Jillian Varner , a senior in economics, said she’s excited to see it for herself. Varner hopes to learn about the 3D printer.
“I really wish that I had known about the fab lab earlier because I would have gone before. I want to get a 3D printout of myself,” Varner said.
