fablablogo

Hanson Technology Center’s Fab Lab Opens at LMC

fablablogo

The remarkable technology increasingly available to conceive of something new and then fabricate a prototype of your new concept using high-tech tools like 3D printers, laser cutters and more is no longer a far flung dream. The capabilities are actually here and now thanks to the gleaming new Hanson Technology Center on the Napier Campus of Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor. Coming soon, you will have the chance to see for yourself and perhaps join the world of makers through the college’s new Fab Lab located there.

Lake Michigan College will celebrate the grand opening of its new Fab Lab on Saturday, April 1 from 10am to 2pm. The public is invited to tour the facility and learn more about membership and class opportunities that could transform you into a self-styled manufacturer. Registration is free and available right now by clicking this link: lakemichigancollege.edu/fablab.

The Fab Lab at Lake Michigan College is an open access digital fabrication studio and collaborative workshop. The lab provides access to information, tools, software and space for anyone who has an interest to learn and create.

LMC staff and faculty will be available at the grand opening to help prospective members learn about the resources at the Fab Lab and become members. Light snacks will be served. Some of the resources available at the Fab Lab include, laser cutters, 3D printers, vinyl cutters, woodshop, CNC router, hand tools and design software such as the Adobe Creative Suite.

ADVERTISEMENT
Your content continues below

The week after the grand opening, the Fab Lab experience will continue with a series of short, low-cost workshops. For those who know exactly what they want to create but aren’t sure how to do it, there will be introductions to the tools used in the Fab Lab, including the equipment and the software. Those who are familiar with the tools but aren’t sure what to make will be interested in the hands-on, project-based workshops.

Some of the workshops that will be available April 3 to 7 include:

  • Fab Lab Bootcamp – participants will sample the lasers, 3D printers, CNC machine and vinyl cutter
  • Build Your Own Penny Board
  • Personalized Rubber Stamps
  • Laser Cut Jewelry
  • Create Your Own 6-Pack Holder – with customized coasters

Workshop registration will be available at the Grand Opening.

The Fab Lab is located at the Hanson Technology Center on the Lake Michigan College Benton Harbor Campus at 2755 East Napier Avenue. Registration for the grand opening is available at the link above, or by calling (269) 927-6504.

The Hanson Technology Center (HTC) opened Fall 2016 and houses LMC’s energy production, engineering, machine tool, mechatronics, skilled trades and welding production programs. Besides the Fab Lab, it features a simulation classroom and state-of-the-art CNC and robotics equipment.

More information about LMC’s technology programs is online at lakemichigancollege.edu/technology. Apply online for free at lakemichigancollege.edu/apply. Contact Admissions at admissions@lakemichigancollege.edu or (269) 927-8626.