The Fab Store: Difference between revisions
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Compatible materials aside, other limitations with FDM require other 3D printing technologies for certain items. For example, FDM technology is: | Compatible materials aside, other limitations with FDM require other 3D printing technologies for certain items. For example, FDM technology is: | ||
*'''Low-resolution.''' It creates visible lines between each layer laid down. An SLA printer creates items with smooth surfaces and much finer detail | *'''Low-resolution.''' It creates visible lines between each layer laid down. An SLA printer creates items with smooth surfaces and much finer detail | ||
*'''Not very strong.''' Items produced FDM printers tend to have weak adhesion between each layer. SLA have low mechanical strength without post-processing. Only SLS can produce strong parts natively | *'''Not very strong.''' Items produced FDM printers tend to have weak adhesion between each layer. SLA have low mechanical strength without post-processing. Only SLS can produce strong parts natively | ||
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When a customer's part or item needs go beyond the capabilities of Fab Store equipment, the Fab Store Network can fulfill the request. | When a customer's part or item needs go beyond the capabilities of Fab Store equipment, the Fab Store Network can fulfill the request. | ||
{{Infobox About User And Idea|aboutidea=Fab Stores make a dent in ending our throwaway culture in two ways. First by 3D printing custom parts to repair broken items. Second by delivering on the promise of small-scale manufacturing.}} | |||
{{Infobox What Do I Want|wish1=Own a small percentage of company|wish2=Opportunities for additional, early investment.}} | |||
===Sales Data=== | ===Sales Data=== | ||
When one Fab Store finds a winning product, other locations take notice thanks to sales data provided by the Fab Store Network. | When one Fab Store finds a winning product, other locations take notice thanks to sales data provided by the Fab Store Network. | ||
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The vision is a Fab Store everywhere you might find a 7-Eleven, multiple Fab Shops supporting the stores and the Fab Store Network supporting the whole operation. You first need to get it off the ground, though. Here are some thoughts on starting small and scaling up to the global fabricating repair cafe behemoth it is bound to be! | The vision is a Fab Store everywhere you might find a 7-Eleven, multiple Fab Shops supporting the stores and the Fab Store Network supporting the whole operation. You first need to get it off the ground, though. Here are some thoughts on starting small and scaling up to the global fabricating repair cafe behemoth it is bound to be! | ||
=== One Building Does It All at First === | ===One Building Does It All at First=== | ||
I envision the first location as a Fab Store, Fab Shop and Fab Network all in one. This won't be a neighborhood shop. It'll be in a light industrial zone where the rent is cheap and we're permitted to use all the equipment. | I envision the first location as a Fab Store, Fab Shop and Fab Network all in one. This won't be a neighborhood shop. It'll be in a light industrial zone where the rent is cheap and we're permitted to use all the equipment. | ||
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At this stage, we are prepared for business from local customers. However, I expect most of our customers will find us online until the neighborhood shops open. | At this stage, we are prepared for business from local customers. However, I expect most of our customers will find us online until the neighborhood shops open. | ||
=== Online Repairs and Sales === | ===Online Repairs and Sales=== | ||
Bringing a broken item into a Fab Store and talking it over with a repair expert is the ideal customer experience. With only one location in an area with little foot traffic, we can't depend on in-person revenue. We need the worldwide reach of the Internet. | Bringing a broken item into a Fab Store and talking it over with a repair expert is the ideal customer experience. With only one location in an area with little foot traffic, we can't depend on in-person revenue. We need the worldwide reach of the Internet. | ||
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The shopping web site even offers build-on-demand items that we don't need to keep in inventory. Just build and ship it on request when a customer orders it. | The shopping web site even offers build-on-demand items that we don't need to keep in inventory. Just build and ship it on request when a customer orders it. | ||
=== Marketing === | ===Marketing=== | ||
We're creating a new market- Neighborhood stores repairing a wide-array of previously unfixable items. Building an entirely new market requires more effort than entering an existing market. It takes time and a lot of marketing to create awareness about the new service. | We're creating a new market- Neighborhood stores repairing a wide-array of previously unfixable items. Building an entirely new market requires more effort than entering an existing market. It takes time and a lot of marketing to create awareness about the new service. | ||
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Since we're in a new space using cutting edge technology, we're likely to get a lot of free publicity through media outreach. Those interviews and articles tell the public about the market we're trying to create and our brand will be forever associated with getting it off the ground. | Since we're in a new space using cutting edge technology, we're likely to get a lot of free publicity through media outreach. Those interviews and articles tell the public about the market we're trying to create and our brand will be forever associated with getting it off the ground. | ||
=== Host Repair Cafes and Makerspaces === | ===Host Repair Cafes and Makerspaces=== | ||
Hosting free repair cafes and renting makerspaces is another way to get the word out, bring in some revenue and recruit talent. Let's loot at each. | Hosting free repair cafes and renting makerspaces is another way to get the word out, bring in some revenue and recruit talent. Let's loot at each. | ||
==== The Best Repair Cafe Ever ==== | ====The Best Repair Cafe Ever==== | ||
Traditional repair cafes are free and hosted by community members. They happen infrequently and are limited by the tools, talent and supplies available to the repair event. | Traditional repair cafes are free and hosted by community members. They happen infrequently and are limited by the tools, talent and supplies available to the repair event. | ||
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Repair cafes bring people into the store, making them familiar with what we do and how capable we are at doing it. Awareness of our brand follows. | Repair cafes bring people into the store, making them familiar with what we do and how capable we are at doing it. Awareness of our brand follows. | ||
==== Makerspace for Rent ==== | ====Makerspace for Rent==== | ||
Most cities have community makerspaces where the public can build things on the same kind of equipment found at Fab Shops. We could rent this equipment to bring in revenue. This would also bring in the city's makers, some of whom might make great employees. | Most cities have community makerspaces where the public can build things on the same kind of equipment found at Fab Shops. We could rent this equipment to bring in revenue. This would also bring in the city's makers, some of whom might make great employees. | ||
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==Obstacles and Risks== | ==Obstacles and Risks== | ||
=== Creating a new market === | ===Creating a new market=== | ||
=== Machine speeds === | ===Machine speeds=== | ||
=== Part costs === | ===Part costs=== | ||
=== Repair costs === | ===Repair costs=== | ||
=== ROI for Equipment === | ===ROI for Equipment=== | ||
=== Finding/Training Talent === | ===Finding/Training Talent=== | ||
==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== | ||