{"id":712,"date":"2013-01-31T23:52:42","date_gmt":"2013-02-01T05:52:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uwpowerswi.com\/?p=712"},"modified":"2015-04-21T11:15:40","modified_gmt":"2015-04-21T16:15:40","slug":"making-global-connections-fab-lab-brings-mit-worldwide-technology-network-to-uw-stout","status":"publish","type":"campus_story","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/story\/making-global-connections-fab-lab-brings-mit-worldwide-technology-network-to-uw-stout\/","title":{"rendered":"Making Global Connections: Fab Lab brings MIT, worldwide technology network to UW-Stout"},"content":{"rendered":"

Menomonie, Wis. \u2014 A new laboratory on the University of Wisconsin-Stout campus is for dreamers who want to see their ideas come to life.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a place where people can share their ideas and build almost anything,\u201d said Ken Smith, research associate for the UW-Stout Discovery Center.<\/p>\n

The center, UW-Stout\u2019s umbrella organization for applied research, outreach and economic development, has established a digital fabrication laboratory, or fab lab, with the assistance of a multiyear $520,000 Growth Agenda award from the UW System.<\/p>\n

Fab labs were introduced more than a decade ago by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for Bits and Atoms. Fab labs offer users a variety of computer-controlled pieces of equipment that employ many types of materials to create a wide range of products. They are connected across the globe by a communications network that allows users to share files and other ideas for the products they want to make.<\/p>\n

UW-Stout joined MIT\u2019s global network in 2005 as part of a multi-institution research project; the new Discovery Center Fab Lab is expected to bring more global collaboration opportunities to UW-Stout.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a space where people come to make things using computer-controlled equipment,\u201d said Sylvia Tiala, career and technical education assistant professor. \u201cA fab lab also has the ability to connect other people around the world in fab lab networks.\u201d<\/p>\n

A formal fab lab dedication will be held Monday, Feb. 4, at the lab, 132 Applied Arts. Attending the dedication will be Sherry Lassiter of the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms. She will speak on \u201cThe International Fab Lab Network: A Historical and Futuristic Snapshot.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Randy Hulke<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fab labs stress cooperation among users interested in making similar products, said Randy Hulke, Discovery Center director. Computer files to make a certain item are open to anyone to use or alter, at their discretion.<\/p>\n

\u201cInnovation does not happen in a vacuum,\u201d Hulke said. \u201cCollaboration improves the opportunity for success.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is supposed to be open access for the creative community,\u201d Tiala added.<\/p>\n

The fabrication equipment in the fab lab includes:<\/p>\n