If you don't have the
tools and machinery to develop your prototype there are
resources out there that can help you. These resources
are called Tech Shops or Maker Spaces. These are
organizations that provide a work space, tools, machinery,
and even technical expertise to help you develop your
prototype.
Tech Shops or Maker Spaces
providce this service based on a membership fee. You
have to become a member of the organization and pay a monthly fee.
For that you get access to their workspace, tools, machinery
and technical expertise. Most of their facilities
grant you 24/7 access. They will train you to work
with the tools and machinery and you can even ask other
members to join your team and help you develop your
prototype.
These
organizatinos are located throughout the country.
Below is a list of such organizations. Find one near
you and utilize it to develop your prototype.
We are a 501(c)3 non-profit community design & fabrication
center that empowers individuals to give form to their
ideas. We provide public access to professional
manufacturing equipment, education, and a creative community
network.
AssentWorks is a non-profit workshop dedicated to providing
hands-on access to fabrication and prototyping equipment,
knowledge, and a community of support for entrepreneurs,
inventors, tinkerers, artists, and innovators.
Based in Dublin, OH.
Buildmore Workshop has the tools, machines, workspace, and
encouragement to help you invent, design and build that next
project. The workshop operates much like a health club but
instead of supplying fitness equipment, like barbells and
treadmills, Buildmore Workshop has literally tons of
professional grade woodworking and metalworking tools and
machines available to members.
Denver’s first open access workshop
club, featuring equipment, facilities and training for a
wide variety of personal projects and interests; from
automotive to electronics, inventing to prototyping,
woodworking to metalworking, we are your workshop.
We provide training on and access to tools and technology
from the conventional to the high-tech. CIF members can use
our tools for their business, artistry, and hobbies.
Fair Use Building and Research (FUBAR) Labs is a Nonprofit
Corporation that provides a location where people with
common interests, usually in computers, technology, science,
and crafts can meet and collaborate. We are an open
community offering classes, workshops, study groups, and
long term projects.
FamiLAB is Central Florida’s provider of space, tools, and
community for creative technical learning and projects. If
you are looking for a great place to meet like-minded
people, learn, collaborate on projects, and have access to
great tools, FamiLAB is the place for you!
Our membership is open to everyone but typically comprises
inventors, engineers, scientists, programmers, hobbyists,
artists, roboteers, families, entrepreneurs, and arts and
crafts enthusiasts. Located in
The IMRC Center has a number of
prototyping and production facilities, collectively called
the IMRC Labs, dedicated to a full range of both digital and
analog production technologies. These include the
Fabrication Studio, the Prototyping Studio, the Electronics
Lab, and the CNC Production lab. Located at the University
of Maine, but is open to anyone across the state.
Members have a full access to a 6000 ft2 workshop with
metalworking, welding, machining, automotive, carpentry,
electronics and programming capabilities. Walk in with an
idea, walk out with it made.
Provides shared shop with tools for you to develop your
prototype utilizing wood-working, metal fabrication,
electronics, programming, 3D printing, etc.
The primary goal of Metrix Create:Space is to enable the
public at large to hack, make, build and create new and
awesome things. MCS has all the tools of a modern
prototyping and fabrication lab, and provides easy access to
tools and rapid prototyping services for the general public.
We are also a physical space where you can come, 24/7 as a
member, and have access to wide array of equipment you are
not very likely to have at home. Plus, there are folks
around the space that can give you tips and pointers on
operating that equipment effectively.
NextFab Studio is a
membership-based, high-tech workshop and prototyping center.
A 4400
square foot facility which provides
comfortable, clean, and safe workspaces with hand tools, 3D
printers, computer controlled machine tools, software, and
electronics workbenches.
The Omaha Maker Group exists to facilitate a place where
people can explore Technology, Science and Art. We operate a
community workshop in Omaha, Nebraska and have bi-weekly
meetings where people can collaborate, share resources,
create, and learn together. We are Omaha’s hackerspace. If
you’re an inventor, artist, scientist, student, educator,
hacker, maker, hobbyist, or just curious about how things
work, you’ve come to the right place.
Sector67 is a non-profit collaborative space in Madison, WI
dedicated to providing an environment to learn, teach,
work-on, build, and create next generation technology;
including software, hardware, electronics, art, sewing,
pottery, glass, metalwork, iPhone/Android applications,
games, etc.
Shop People is a membership-based industrial arts shop
located in SE Portland that provides shared tools and work
space for craftspeople, artisans, makers, inventors,
contractors, DIYers, and creative people.
TechShop lets you come in and use
their tools and machinery to developyour prototype.
Current locations include San Francisco, CA, San Jose, CA,
Allen park, MI, Round Rock, TX, Pittsburgh, PA, Chandler,
AZ, and Arlington, VA.
TechShop Durham enables those who have a creative idea in
their head to bring that dream to life by providing them
with the access they need to tools, supplies and learning
opportunities.
The Gowanus Studio Space provides training, workspace, tools
and resources, GSS encourages cross-pollination between the
art/design communities; supports new businesses and design
projects.
We have opened a maker space/hackerspace for members to
build projects using various media and technologies, from
wood and metal working to electronics to fabrics and beyond.
We call our space the Hack Factory.
Workshop 88 is a hackerspace located in Chicago’s western
suburbs. Focused on science, technology, mechanics, culture
and the digital arts. Offers a space where people with
diverse backgrounds can socialize, collaborate, and learn.
