We keep hearing about all of these amazing devices and objects that other people are making with CNC tools like laser cutters, Shopbots, mills, and maybe you are feeling left out. You may be like the college student in the mid 1980’s who didn’t like completing papers on the typewriter and looking for a way to use the word processor. If today, you make a design for the part you need, how can you get it machined? You can leverage the power of 100 thousand garages.
You may be surprised to learn, that there are several thousand shops all over the world with tools for digital fabrication (sometimes called CNC tools) that can make exactly what you want (how can replicating parts be that easy?). There’s probably even one near you. Some are regular businesses, some are part-timers, and some are small shops that have some spare production time: each has the capability to help you make all kinds of things. You know what a ‘Copy Center’ is for getting printed pages and projects made, 100kGarages is like a virtual 3D copy center for getting real parts and projects made.
Check out Bill Young’s thoughts on the idea at 100k Garages.
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