In the past few years I've become very interested in fabrication. The process of making/building/constructing "things". Especially being able to create various devices at home. I've been experimenting with diy pcb creation using different chemicals and I'm currently busy building a cnc machine from plans I bought on the internet.
The biggest problem with doing your own fabrication is the tools. Most of the tools such as laser cutters and mills are very expensive and the ordinary person/student doesn't have access to these tools. Luckily this problem has been noticed and new projects such as the Fablab and the TechShop has been started. The problem is that most of these facilities aren't available in South Africa. Atleast, so I thought. I recently found out that we have 6 fab labs in South Africa.
The aim of this blog is to discuss various options for fabrication in South Africa. I'm not talking about major corporations spending millions to design a product. I'm talking about the average South African regardless of age/sex or color. Students with great ideas and working people who have an idea/product or project. I'll be visiting these fabrication labs and discussing various methods of doing fabrication from your own home. What I would like to achieve is the idea of "making things" in South Africa. In the US and Europe a new culture has begun where people are making all kinds of things, some of them crazy and some of them very functional projects. The make-culture is very broad being that anyone can be a part of it. As long as you have the passion to build things and have an idea or two.
I hope you will join me on this journey of discovery. South Africa is a growing country with lots of possibilities. Let us create a maker-culture right here in South Africa.
Summary of objectives:
(1) Find and blog about the various resources available in South Africa for personal fabrication.
(2) Discuss various processes and methods to do fabrication in your own backyard.
(3) Get makers in South Africa together!
Please feel free to comment and give me your ideas and opinions.
1 comments:
Great blog, I have done some design work with AMTS in Soshanguvie, where there has been some great projects that have are hopefully going to leave the fablab and make it into the market.
Yes, I agree, its not the ideas that are lacking rather the access to tools and materials. I look forward to reading your blog. There is potential to get some great ideas off the ground here in South Africa.
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