When Delaware went into lockdown in March amid coronavirus’ surge, makerspace NextFab in Wilmington’s Creative District sat as empty as so many restaurants, libraries and offices.
Creative people can work anywhere, in theory, but if your medium is laser-cut acrylic or intricately machined wood, you need access to that technology. NextFab’s big draw is that it offers that access, including to the wood shop’s Shopbot robotic machining tool, laser cutting and large-scale 3D printing. You know, things the average maker just can’t do at home.
While NextFab pivoted some of its workshops into webinars to keep members connected during the lockdown, it’s been reopened on a members-only basis since June 11, with a requirement that everyone wears a mask and safety glasses and follows room capacity guidelines — an extra bonus for makers who like having time in the shop by…