Saturday, 27 August 2022 | 19.1°C Dublin
Premium subscribers enjoy unlimited access to all articles. But there's more: discover your full benefits now.
One of the creations from the FabLab.
A new facility aimed at helping entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into new products and prototypes through providing access to a range of advanced digital manufacturing technology was officially unveiled in Ballycanew last week.
L aunched by Ballycanew Ballyoughter Community Development Association, the FabLab in Ballycanew resource centre is equipped with 3d printers and offers people in the surrounding area to learn new skills and encourage social enterprise. The lab also has a laser engraver and two circuit machines that enable people to create shadow boxes make their own invitations or birthday cards. A CO2 laser cutter will also be available in the next few weeks.
Funding for the FabLab was secured following the Development Association’s successful application in the ESB Generations Fund. The project was also supported with funding from Wexford County Council, LCDC and the Community Integration Fund.
"The Fab Labs can support policy initiatives in the areas of education, enterprise, training and the development of community based social enterprises. This initiative will benefit children and Adults and promote stem education and promote social enterprises for the area,” said a representative of the Ballycanew Ballyoughter Community Development Association. “Since living with Covid-19 over the past two years, we have identified the need in communities to have social outlets available to our community. This helps in the mental health of our citizens and gives and outlet to the community to still be in a safe environment but yet capitalize on the facilities available.”
A weekly update on the top stories from County Wexford in news and sport, direct to your inbox
Enter email address This field is required Sign Up
The FabLab idea was conceived by renowned inventor and scientist Professor Neil Gershenfeld at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His idea was a simple one: to provide the environment, skills, advanced materials and technology to make things cheaply and quickly anywhere in the world, and to make this available on a local basis to entrepreneurs, students, artists, small businesses and in fact, anyone who wants to create something new or bespoke.
The list of services now available at the Ballcanew FabLab include: laser engraving (engrave some Perspex for a light stand); 3d Printer (resin-based) allowing you to make your own chess set or one of our super dragons; laser cutting (fine detail wooden cut-outs); 3d printing (filament-based) to create our classic fox or snakes; circuit (create your own shadow box or make your own birthday card or invitations); a drone and Adobe products. More services will be added over the coming months including a 3d scanner.
Use of the services can be booked over the phone by calling 0872127614, or via the Ballycanew Ballyoughter Community Development Association’s Facebook page. All bookings are €15 per hour.
A Mediahuis Website © Independent.ie