About us
Here, you can find out what the Fab Lab is, how the facilities are used and what you should take into account. You can also find the contact details of the staff and the Fab Lab team.
Quick links
- What is the Fab Lab?
- How does Fab Lab work?
- Fab Lab operating instructions and rules
- Fab Lab staff
- Fab Lab team
- Networks
You learn by doing in Fab Lab
What is the Fab Lab?
Fab Lab Raseko opened in the winter of 2018 and is the first Fab Lab in vocational education and training in Finland. Fab Labs are part of the DIY or maker movement, which is gaining momentum around the world in both educational institutions and businesses.
The Fab Lab concept was originally developed at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the United States and has since spread across the globe. There are now already more than 1 500 Fab Labs around the world. Fab Lab Raseko works in cooperation with other Fab Labs in Finland and abroad (see the map at www.fablabs.io/labs/map).
The members of the Fab Lab network help each other by sharing information about their projects according to the principles of open content, virtually connecting every month and meeting each other in annual international conferences.
According to the Fab Lab philosophy, the primary purpose of the environment is to facilitate innovation. Our staff, software and various machines help and support the creation of new things. SMEs in the region are welcome to plan potential prototype testing or development workshops with us, combining an innovative approach, education (e.g. Specialist Vocational Qualification in Product Development or the qualifications in Arts and Design) and inexpensive product development test runs. From the perspective of SMEs, this provides an interesting opportunity for developing their products. The environment encourages innovation and the creation of new ideas cost-effectively.
Fab Lab Raseko is also a learning environment where you can, for instance, 3D print, laser cut or mill various materials. Among other tools, we have a large-format printer/cutter, a 3D scanner, 3D printers (FDM and SLA technologies), a laser cutter, a UV flatbed printer, a CNC milling machine, a benchtop milling machine and an embroidery machine. Click on this link to read more about the machines.
How does Fab Lab work?
- Contact us and see for yourself!
- Design your product.
- Check material availability.
- Make a booking and come to the Fab Lab.
- Learn how to use the machines.
- Reserve enough time for your creative work.
- Pay for the materials at the Fab Lab.
- Enjoy your finished product!
Fab Lab operating instructions and rules
- The operating instructions and other rules provided by staff must always be followed.
- Ask for advice if you do not know how to do something. Remember that there are no stupid questions.
- Do not use the machines unless you have been given instructions for using them.
- If you notice that something is broken or a machine does not work normally, report it immediately.
- Any accidents and damage must always be reported to the staff so that the instructions and policies can be improved.
- Observe the machines you use whenever you use them. If you notice something dangerous or a machine does not work normally, stop using it immediately and report it to the staff.
- Do not use your own materials without first discussing them with the staff.
- It is prohibited to eat or drink at the workbenches or right next to the machines.
- Before leaving, clean up after yourself and return the tools and machines you used to their places.
- Take others into consideration and remember that we value cooperation.
Please note that our staff will help you if you have any problems with the machines or modelling, but they will not do your work for you.
You can ask about the possibility to carry out projects as student assignments: fablab@raseko.fi
Staff
Fab Lab team
In addition to the staff at Fab Lab, the members of the Fab Lab team, established in 2021, are actively involved in the operations.
The aims of the team are:
• to develop the team members’ special expertise in using the machines and software in the Fab Lab.
• to promote and support the operations and use of Fab Lab Raseko both within Raseko and among stakeholders.
• to bring together the wide-ranging competencies of different fields of VET to provide more versatility in the different fields
• to promote cooperation between fields of VET, e.g. through projects conducted in the Fab Lab.
• to highlight the needs of fields of VET in light of Fab Lab’s further development
• to take part in the marketing and events of Fab Lab
• to monitor the development of the maker culture in their individual fields of education.
Networks
Fab Lab Raseko works in active cooperation with various parties. Click on the links below to find out more about the international cooperation schemes. In addition, the Fab Lab Suomi (Fab Lab Finland) network continues to grow in Finland.