Open-Lab: Catalyst for Ideas and Projects in Labs and Makerspaces

What is Open-Lab?

Imagine an online space where you can share your projects with other makers from around the world. That's exactly what Open-Lab offers, a feature integrated into Fab-Manager. Admins can choose to activate it to allow members to document and share their projects on this network.

Each documented project includes the steps from initial ideas to final results, detailed descriptions, images, plans, and other files associated with the achievements.

Thanks to Open-Lab, these shared projects are a real goldmine for inspiration and collaboration. Members can share their most innovative ideas, learn from others, and find new ways to push the boundaries of creativity.

Benefits of Open-Lab

Open-Lab offers significant advantages for fablabs and makerspaces:

• Stimulates collaboration and innovation: By allowing members to share their projects and ideas, Open-Lab fosters collaboration among makers. Members can inspire each other, learn from others, and discover new ways to push the boundaries of creativity. This enriching collaboration contributes to the emergence of innovative ideas.

• Strengthens the sense of belonging: By sharing their achievements on Open-Lab, members strengthen their sense of belonging to a larger community of makers. They feel connected to other individuals with similar interests and passions, which promotes the exchange of experiences and knowledge among makers.

• Increases visibility of fablabs: By showcasing projects carried out within their space, Open-Lab provides increased visibility to participating fablabs. Projects shared on Open-Lab are accessible to a broad audience of makers worldwide, allowing fablabs to gain recognition and promote their activities. This enhanced visibility can attract new members, potential partners, and collaboration opportunities, thereby contributing to the growth and sustainability of fablabs.

How to Participate in the Open-Lab Network?

To join the Open-Lab network, administrators need to follow these simple steps:

• Request activation: Administrators should send a request to activate Open-Lab to the Fab-Manager team via email at support@fab-manager.com. They will then receive activation codes to enter into their Fab-Manager instance to activate this feature.

• Configure display settings: Administrators have the option to configure the display of projects in their space. They can choose to display projects from the Open-Lab network by default or projects carried out in their fablab. Depending on the administrator's choice, members will then need to click on a dedicated button to view network projects.

• Encourage member participation: Once Open-Lab is activated, administrators can organize informational sessions to explain the importance of collaboration and project documentation. They can actively encourage their members to document their projects and share them on the platform, thereby contributing to enriching the Open-Lab project gallery.

Open-Lab is much more than just a project gallery; it's a powerful tool for collaboration and inspiration for fabrication spaces like fablabs and shared workspaces. By allowing members to share their ideas and achievements with a global community, Open-Lab fosters innovation and strengthens the sense of belonging to a larger community. Whether you're a fablab administrator or a regular member, don't hesitate to participate in this dynamic and stimulating network to maximize the impact of your projects and inspire others.

FAQ

• How many projects are currently shared on the Open-Lab network? Currently, the Open-Lab network has a total of 2,130 shared projects.

• Who are the top three contributors to the Open-Lab network? The top three contributors to the Open-Lab network are Fab Lab Le Dôme in Caen https://fablab.ledome.info/#!/, La Casemate in Grenoble https://fablab.lacasemate.fr/#!/, and the fablab in Chemillé, Le Boc@l near Cholet https://fabmanager.csc49.fr/#!/.

• Are there specific criteria for sharing a project on Open-Lab? There are no strict criteria for sharing a project on Open-Lab, but it is recommended to provide a detailed description, images, and associated files to document your project comprehensively and informatively.