Open Source Fab Lab
What is an Open Source Fab Lab
The Open Source Fab Lab is a robust flexible and digital fabrication facility. When the enabling information is available, a skilled worked may replicate the Fab Lab at the cost of materials.
Existing Work
- http://reprap.org/bin/view/Main/WebHome - a well-developed 3D printer project - already achieved self-replication
- http://opensourcemachine.org/node/2 - project implementations built by developer - I don't know if anyone replicated this yet; documentation needs development; Factor e Farm engagement - parts list and drawings being developed (6.08) and implementation scheduled for July, 08
- http://openfarmtech.org/index.php?title=Torch_Table - Factor e Farm progress - all materials sourced, torch table ready for assembly and connection to LinuxCNC - need a volunteer to visit us here to build this
- http://www.appropedia.org/Callooh - project on paper; code work in progress
- http://www.instructables.com/id/CO2-laser-that-cuts-sheet-metal/ - CNC laser cutter for metal. There is evidence that by using laser engraver tubes ($200 each), say 10 of them, an industrial power laser can be put together at reasonable cost. The challenge is to work out the optics for paralleling the beams
Software
Message from Sam:
Marcin, I am in transit right now. But, a quick reply:
Although it is extremely difficult to learn to use, http://www.brlcad.org/ is the most robust that I have tried this far.
http://www.qcad.org/qcad.html is also really nice for 2D CAD work.
http://www.linuxcnc.org/ looks awesome, but is only an "Enhanced Machine Controller", and doesn't provide CAD drawing, nor CAM toolpaths (G-code drawing). What it does is interpret g-code toolpaths to move the actual XYZ table, or whatever machine you are controlling.
So, linuxcnc is essential, but as I have no machines to run yet, i have not had much of a way to test it out.
Also, for non-commercial use http://fab.cba.mit.edu/about/fab/ (cam.py and cad.py) those are some simple but useful software programs both cad drawing and cam toolpath generation (but are not fully open source, as we discussed earlier)
I am still searching for other software, but you can really do a lot with brl-cad and q-cad.
I still want to try http://www-rocq.inria.fr/OpenFEM/ and http://avocado-cad.sourceforge.net/ and http://www.cademia.org/frontend/index.php?sub=29 and http://www.opencascade.org/ don't know anything about those yet.
BRL-CAD
If you plan on trying to use BRL-CAD, the PDF's on this page are essential reading http://www.brlcad.org/wiki/Documentation
BRL-CAD Industry Diagram
