In a grand opening on Monday afternoon, Edmonds Community College flung open the doors of The Facility. The college launched the new Rapid Proto Lab as a community-based nexus of creativity where “makers” — those with an idea — are provided with the equipment, skills and training to make it reality.
So what’s a Rapid Proto Lab? Also called a “MakerSpace,” it’s a facility packed with equipment, including 3D printers and scanners, laser cutters, CNC (computer numeric control) routers, and a staff trained to national industry standards so they can instruct others how to use them.
Want to cut and engrave your own parts on a laser cutter? How about turn your dreams into reality on a Flashforge 3D printer? Or bring in your own sculpture, artifacts or other objects and convert them into 3D computer models with a laser scanner.
“Many great ideas have never become reality…