Fab Lab Montevideo was created in March 2012 in the School of Architecture, Design, and Urbanism of the University of the Republic, named as Digital Fabrication Laboratory Montevideo (labFab MVD), thanks to the resources of the School and the management of the Department of Information Technologies (DeTIC). At first, for instance, which could be defined as a “foundational” period, it was maintained thanks to the funds resulting from the integration of the Alfa-Gaviota project by the aforementioned DeTIC.

In the laboratory, different activities are carried out within the framework of university functions: research, extension and teaching, providing academic support to students who so request, in order to participate jointly in the formative processes of the academic courses in the School.

The Digital Integration Center (CID), through the LabFab-MVD, integrates a suitable human team for the training of the personnel in charge of the administration and operation of the equipment.

FabLab Montevideo provides support to the students in two different modalities, prioritizing the modality of “project monitoring” as a way of tutoring with digital fabrication with FabLab teachers, for students who wish to investigate the possibilities of digital fabrication applied to their project or prototype. On the other hand, students without project follow-up have the possibility of accessing the technology of the laboratory prior to reservation via email agenda.

The Digital Integration Center (CID), through LabFab-MVD, integrates a suitable human team for the fulfillment of the aforementioned tasks, carrying out the initial implementation of the necessary equipment for these purposes and the training of the personnel in charge of the administration and operation of the equipment.

> EQUIPMENT

3D Printing

Ultimaker

Printing areas

Ultimaker2+, printing area: 200mm x 200mm and with max. height of 300mm.

Raise3D Pro2 Plus, printing area: 300mm x 300mm and with max. height of 600mm.

Material

The material to work in Ultimaker printer is PLA with a diameter of 2.85mm. The material to work in Raise3D printer is PLA with a diameter of 1.75mm.

Raise3D Pro2 Plus

Laser cutter

Senke, model: SKL-1325

Cutting area

1200mm x 1200mm.

Material

MDF, cardboard, acrilic and EVA foam.

Material thickness

1mm to 12mm.

CNC cutter

Router MEDEROS

Cutting area

1220mm x 2440mm.

Material

MDF, plywood, OSB and PVC.

Material thickness

0.007mm to 25mm.

> PROTOCOLS AND FORMS

In order to make use of the laboratory in any of its modalities, it is essential to read all the protocols, as well as to present a copy of the signed “Authorization Form for the use of images”, when attending the previously scheduled day. Use the following button to download the form.

To schedule a day and time, it is essential to go to the laboratory (FabLab- MVD) with the file to work on, preferably between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., or via email to labfab@fadu.edu.uy with an explanation of the project and the technology to be used, otherwise no job can be scheduled.

> FURTHER INFORMATION

Subtractive technologies

Laser cutting, router CNC, EDM machining and water jet cutting.

Subtractive fabrication is a generic term used to name various fabrication processes based on the use of CNC tools that allow digital designs to be materialized by removing material through cutting, drilling and grinding.

A laser cutter is a particular type of CNC machine. There are several…

Read more…

3D Printing:

Parameters and strategies

Additive manufacturing technologies are those used to convert digital models into three-dimensional objects, basing their construction on the deposition -that is, adding- material in successive layers.

We can use any 3D modeling software to generate the models, as long as there is the possibility of exporting it as an .STL (Stereo Lithography) file.

Read more…

Digital Fabrication:

Aditive and sustractive fabrication
Digital fabrication consist of an integrated and computer-asisted system composed by simulation tools, 3D visualization, analysis and collaboration to create product and fabrication process definitions simultaneously.

This type of manufacturing allows the processes to be repeatable as many times as necessary. In turn, the complexity of the object does not have a significant impact on the cost of production.

Read more…

Parametric design:

For digital farbication
Design process based on an algorithmic scheme of rules that are established through dynamic parameters that join the design components, and establish direct and indirect relationships between them.
Read more…