Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Fab lab
open-in-new
<p>A fab lab (<i>fabrication laboratory</i>) is a small-scale <a href="/facts/Workshop/Y4FvIpVA">workshop</a> offering (personal) <a href="/facts/Digital_fabrication/DSDUlAA5">digital fabrication</a>. </p><p>A fab lab is typically equipped with an array of flexible computer-controlled tools that cover several different length scales and various materials, with the aim to make "almost anything". This includes <a href="/facts/Prototype/q0yPLYdb">prototyping</a> and <a href="/facts/Technology/9Uav5WVR">technology</a>-enabled products generally perceived as limited to <a href="/facts/Mass_production/31Cmgjuc">mass production</a>. </p><p>While fab labs have yet to compete with mass production and its associated <a href="/facts/Economies_of_scale/gtAYHuNT">economies of scale</a> 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. </p><p>The fab lab movement is closely aligned with the <a href="/facts/Do_it_yourself/C2Gf8VJW">DIY</a> movement, <a href="/facts/Open-source_hardware/UgCHeVsm">open-source hardware</a>, <a href="/facts/Maker_culture/7mDNYpU3">maker culture</a>, and the <a href="/facts/Free_and_open-source/1cHtjLCB">free and open-source</a> movement, and shares philosophy as well as technology with them. </p>