The Fab Store: Difference between revisions
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How often have you trashed an entire product because of a single broken part? What if you could simply replace the part, at a fraction of the cost and waste? The Fab Store pairs advanced 3D printing with repair experts to fix previously unfixable items. These stores keep more stuff out of our landfills and more money in your pocket! | How often have you trashed an entire product because of a single broken part? What if you could simply replace the part, at a fraction of the cost and waste? The Fab Store pairs advanced 3D printing with repair experts to fix previously unfixable items. These stores keep more stuff out of our landfills and more money in your pocket! | ||
In addition, Fab Stores may finally deliver on the promise of a small-scale manufacturing revolution. | In addition, Fab Stores may finally deliver on the promise of a [[The Fab Store#Beyond Repairs: A Small-scale Manufacturing Revolution|small-scale manufacturing revolution]]. | ||
==To Repair is Rare== | ==To Repair is Rare== | ||
Too often, a single broken part means sending the sum of all its parts to a landfill. For example- A hinge broke on my old electric tea kettle, preventing me from closing the lid properly. | Too often, a single broken part means sending the sum of all its parts to a landfill. For example- A hinge broke on my old electric tea kettle, preventing me from closing the lid properly. | ||
I can't buy a new hinge. I wouldn't know how to install the hinge even if I had one. | |||
I can't find a practical solution to repairing my item instead of replacing it in cases like these. | I can't find a practical solution to repairing my item instead of replacing it in cases like these. | ||
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Your item may just need some adjustment. It may need a new screw or electronic component. It may benefit from a workaround rather than a like-new fix. | Your item may just need some adjustment. It may need a new screw or electronic component. It may benefit from a workaround rather than a like-new fix. | ||
Both Fab Stores and traditional repair cafes handle these | Both Fab Stores and traditional repair cafes handle simple these repairs. | ||
Fab Stores take repair to the next level by 3D printing broken and/or hard-to-find parts. Typical repair cafes can't touch what Fab Stores can fix! | Fab Stores take repair to the next level by 3D printing broken and/or hard-to-find parts. Typical repair cafes can't touch what Fab Stores can fix! | ||
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The repair expert extracts the broken axle from the toy and scans it with a 3D scanner. The object appears virtually in CAD software, where the expert "repairs" the broken part in the software. Then the expert 3D prints a new axle and installs it in the truck. Your child gets more milage out of their toy and another item is spared from the landfill. | The repair expert extracts the broken axle from the toy and scans it with a 3D scanner. The object appears virtually in CAD software, where the expert "repairs" the broken part in the software. Then the expert 3D prints a new axle and installs it in the truck. Your child gets more milage out of their toy and another item is spared from the landfill. | ||
[[File:3DMakerPro Seal 3D Scanner - Marketing Photo.png|alt=A 3DMakerPro Seal 3D Scanner is shown scanning a small figurine atop a rotating platform.|thumb|3D Scanners, like the 3DMakerPro Seal shown here, capture all the nuances of physical world | [[File:3DMakerPro Seal 3D Scanner - Marketing Photo.png|alt=A 3DMakerPro Seal 3D Scanner is shown scanning a small figurine atop a rotating platform.|thumb|3D Scanners, like the 3DMakerPro Seal shown here, capture all the nuances of physical world objects down to 0.01 millimeters. [https://store.3dmakerpro.com/products/seal Image courtesy 3DMakerPro].]] | ||
== | ==Fab Shops Power Fab Stores== | ||
A Fab Store really consists of two buildings: | A Fab Store really consists of two buildings: Fab Stores and Fab Shops. In short, Fab Stores interact with the customers and Fab Shops fabricate parts. Both make repairs. | ||
Let's look at each's role in the Fab Store's success. | |||
===Fab Stores: Neighborhood Storefronts=== | |||
[[File:Tormach 770M CNC Mill.png|alt=Marketing photo of the Tormach 770M CNC Mill. A large machine with a computer screen on a post.|thumb|An example of a CNC mill for cutting and shaping metal parts. It's one of two CNC machines needed to cover most metal needs. [https://tormach.com/machines/mills.html Image courtesy of Tormarch]]] | Convenient, neighborhood Fab Store locations serve customers where they live- anywhere you might find a 7-Eleven. The retail stores diagnose problems and make common, minor repairs. | ||
The stores have an array of tools and parts on hand, similar to what you'd find in a repair cafe. If the customer's repair requires a fabricated part, it's off to the Fab Shop where the 3D printers are. | |||
Fab Stores also sell unique products, [[The Fab Store#Beyond Repairs: A Small-scale Manufacturing Revolution|manufactured in small quantities]] on Fab Store equipment. These items draw new people into the store and offer repair customers impulse buying opportunities. The designs for these products are freely available online and one of them might end up becoming the next Rubik's Cube or Hula Hoop. | |||
===Fab Shops: Fabricating Happens Here=== | |||
Fixing, fabricating and manufacturing happen here at the Fab Shops. Here you'll find all the expensive equipment, including a 3D Scanner, 3D printer, CNC machinery and more. | |||
One Fab Shop serves many Fab Stores in the same city. This reduces the cost and headcount required to own and operate all this [[The Fab Store#ROI for Equipment|reasonably expensive equipment]]. | |||
Fab Shops are located in a separate building by necessity. CNC machines are typically not permitted in commercial zones. Light-industrial zoned areas allow them. | |||
Even if the machines were permitted in a Fab Store by law, here are several reasons why you still shouldn't do it: | |||
*These machines take a lot of space. You'd have to find a building big enough to house both the retail and fabrication sides. This would cost more to lease and limit the locations where you could open a Fab Store | |||
*The machines are noisy and dusty. You don't want to have to yell over the CNC lathe to talk to the customer! | |||
*Fab Stores will have a smaller, repair cafe-style shop on site that will handle most repairs. Fab Shop equipment is not needed for most repairs. | |||
==Anatomy of Fab Stores and Shops== | |||
[[File:Tormach 770M CNC Mill.png|alt=Marketing photo of the Tormach 770M CNC Mill. A large machine with a computer screen on a post.|thumb|An example of a CNC mill for cutting and shaping metal parts. It's one of two CNC machines needed to cover most metal needs. [https://tormach.com/machines/mills.html Image courtesy of Tormarch]]]We've seen the distinction between Fab Stores and Fab Shops. Now let's dive deeper into what goes into each. | |||
===People=== | ===People=== | ||
All the equipment available to Fab Stores means nothing without talented people to operate it. Fixers and makers are crucial to a Fab Store's success. | All the equipment available to Fab Stores means nothing without talented people to operate it. Fixers and makers are crucial to a Fab Store's success. | ||
A fixer can take any broken items, assess it and, if possible, repair it. A fixer must be able to repair anything from small appliances to garments. | A fixer can take any broken items, assess it and, if possible, repair it. A fixer must be able to repair anything from small appliances to garments. [https://www.ifixit.com Free online repair guides] help fixers efficiently repair complex products. | ||
Makers know how to operate the equipment. They are great with CAD software. They know 3D printing technology and would jump at the chance to work on these large-scale printers and modern CNC machinery. | Volunteers at repair cafes are a great place to scout these talents- turn their volunteer efforts into a day job. | ||
Makers know how to operate the equipment. They are great with CAD software. They know 3D printing technology and would jump at the chance to work on these large-scale printers and modern CNC machinery. Community makerspaces are a great place to find makers. | |||
===3D Scanner=== | ===3D Scanner=== | ||
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===3D Printer=== | ===3D Printer=== | ||
Make items | Make non-metal items with your FDM 3D printer, found at the Fab Shop. It prints mostly plastics of various kinds, though it can also use rubber/silicone-like material, carbon fiber and nylon in its creations. | ||
These are professional-grade printers that handle a wide-variety of materials, print quickly and can fabricate large items up to several feet. | These are professional-grade printers that handle a wide-variety of materials, print quickly and can fabricate large items up to several feet. | ||
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This equipment is primarily for fabricating metal items. Each Fab Shop has CNC mill and lathe machines ready to cut and shape metals into parts customers. Whether the part is a replacement for a broken hinge or going into a window shopping product, these machines are capable of some amazing feats. | This equipment is primarily for fabricating metal items. Each Fab Shop has CNC mill and lathe machines ready to cut and shape metals into parts customers. Whether the part is a replacement for a broken hinge or going into a window shopping product, these machines are capable of some amazing feats. | ||
Metal 3D printers exist but the equipment and the parts it produces are not cost-effective today. They often require CNC machining after printing anyway. While it might make sense for the Fab Store Network to have a metal 3D printer for special jobs, CNC machinery suffices for Fab Shops. | Metal 3D printers exist but the equipment and the parts it produces are not cost-effective today. They often require CNC machining after printing anyway. While it might make sense for the Fab Store Network to have a [[The Fab Store#Specialized Parts from High-end 3D Printers|metal 3D printer for special jobs]], CNC machinery suffices for Fab Shops. | ||
===Other Tooling and Equipment=== | ===Other Tooling and Equipment=== | ||
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==Beyond Repairs: A Small-scale Manufacturing Revolution== | ==Beyond Repairs: A Small-scale Manufacturing Revolution== | ||
Considering all the equipment and skills that go into the them, Fab Stores can double as small-scale factories. You can manufacture a wide range of products using the wide range of materials and tooling available to you. By producing small batches of a variety of unique products, you may stumble upon | Considering all the equipment and skills that go into the them, Fab Stores can double as small-scale factories. You can manufacture a wide range of products using the wide range of materials and tooling available to you. By producing small batches of a variety of unique products, you may stumble upon product destined for mass market success. | ||
Your small factory could offer: | Your small factory could offer: | ||
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*User-requested products | *User-requested products | ||
*Custom designed products | *Custom designed products | ||
[[File:Thingaverse - Tic Tac Gun - by 3DPatriot.png|alt=A 3D printed "Tic Tac Gun." The "clip" is an upside-down box of Tic Tacs. The orange plastic gun has a lever to load the Tic Tac and a trigger to shoot it.|thumb|Not just repairs. The Fab Store can make and sell items like the "[https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4883696 Tic Tac Gun]. | [[File:Thingaverse - Tic Tac Gun - by 3DPatriot.png|alt=A 3D printed "Tic Tac Gun." The "clip" is an upside-down box of Tic Tacs. The orange plastic gun has a lever to load the Tic Tac and a trigger to shoot it.|thumb|Not just repairs. The Fab Store can make and sell items like the "[https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4883696 Tic Tac Gun]," found on Thingaverse. It's one of millions of designs freely available for 3D printers.]] | ||
===Pre-fabricated Products: Discover the Next Rubik's Cube=== | ===Pre-fabricated Products: Discover the Next Rubik's Cube=== | ||
Places like | Places like [https://www.thingiverse.com Thingiverse] are filled with designs for imaginative items you can't buy in stores. Lurking among those designs might be the next best-selling product trend. You manufacture just one of each potentially best-selling designs, then prominently display them in your store windows and on the web site. There's little risk in making products that don't sell and huge rewards when a product proves popular. | ||
Start by producing a single, intriguing item. Put it in the store window. Repeat until your store window is filled with unique and interesting items. | Start by producing a single, intriguing item. Put it in the store window. Repeat until your store window is filled with unique and interesting items. | ||
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At some point, enough demand builds to support mass manufacturing. That's when you become the brand leader in the new product space. | At some point, enough demand builds to support mass manufacturing. That's when you become the brand leader in the new product space. | ||
[[File:2023-10-01 xx2dgkhdxv3i.jpg|alt=Tubes of toothpaste with a small, round device with a knob is attached to the bottom of the tube. In the background are examples of the device standalone.|thumb|The [https://makerworld.com/en/models/30246-ratcheted-toothpaste-tube-squeezer Ratcheted Toothpaste Tube Squeezer], found at MakerWorld, solves the age-old problem of extracting the last bit of toothpaste from the tube. Could this be a hot selling item in Fab Stores?]] | |||
The Fab Store | The [[The Fab Store#Sales Data|Fab Store Network]] contains the collective wisdom of all Fab Stores on which items sell and which are duds. You decide which products are ready for the big time (mass manufacturing) through this collective data. | ||
Who knows which design might turn into a commercial success. Producing a limited quantity of a wide range of products in search of a winner is a low-cost, low-risk way to discover the next | Who knows which design might turn into a commercial success. Producing a limited quantity of a wide range of products in search of a winner is a low-cost, low-risk way to discover the next Hula Hoop, hot jewelry trend or must-have phone case. Imagination is about the only limit! | ||
===User-requested Products: Bring Your Own Design=== | ===User-requested Products: Bring Your Own Design=== | ||
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Customers find unique item designs on the Internet. Or perhaps they are designers themselves. Either way, they need your facilities to produce it. | Customers find unique item designs on the Internet. Or perhaps they are designers themselves. Either way, they need your facilities to produce it. | ||
Today, such a hobbyist would have to depend on their own skills and a | Today, such a hobbyist would have to depend on their own skills and a makerspace to create the item from their design. It doesn't have to be this hard. | ||
[[File:Thingaverse - Floating Cup - by bwaslo.jpg|alt=Four coffee mugs dumping out their coffee. The stream falls to the table where it splashes. The mugs appear to be floating in mid-air. Closer inspection reveals these are 3D printed coffee mugs and their suspension in the air is supported by the splash and stream of the 3D printed coffee spills.|thumb|[https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3689716 Another free design] to display the in the store window. Producing small batches of unique and clever items is a low-risk way to discover the next, must-have product. After finding a winner, mass-produce it and sell millions of them.]] | |||
Fab Stores could professionally manufacture the item with better equipment, materials and skills. The convenience and value to the customer is far beyond the price you would charge. | Fab Stores could professionally manufacture the item with better equipment, materials and skills. The convenience and value to the customer is far beyond the price you would charge. | ||
You should view customer-supplied designs as an insight into what kinds of products sell. If one customer wants the item, others likely do too. Look at the product space, not just the product, and you may find a profitable niche. | You should view customer-supplied designs as an insight into what kinds of products sell. If one customer wants the item, others likely do too. Look at the product space, not just the product, and you may find a profitable niche. | ||
===Custom-designed Products: Giving the Customer Exactly What They Want=== | ===Custom-designed Products: Giving the Customer Exactly What They Want=== | ||
Customizing a user-requested product opens up a consulting revenue stream for the Fab Store. The user brings in a design that they would like to improve in some way. Maybe it's putting their name in the design. Maybe a certain part of the item needs to be larger. Maybe they want to combine two designs. Fab Store experts have the skills to create unique designs for customers who can pay for the expert's time. | Customizing a user-requested product opens up a consulting revenue stream for the Fab Store. The user brings in a design that they would like to improve in some way. Maybe it's putting their name in the design. Maybe a certain part of the item needs to be larger. Maybe they want to combine two designs. Fab Store experts have the skills to create unique designs for customers who can pay for the expert's time. | ||
[[File:3D Printed Split Flap Display.png|alt=A Split Flap machine created with a 3D printer. The display has 10 characters and can show both letters and numbers.|thumb|3D printed parts combine with other standard parts, like motors and Arduinos, to make some pretty amazing products! This [https://www.printables.com/model/69464-split-flap-display split-flap display] from Printables is a great example.]] | |||
==The Fab Store Network== | ==The Fab Store Network== | ||
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[[File:Venn Diagram of 3D Printer Materials by Printer Technology.png|alt=Venn diagram showing 3 bubbles. Each bubble represents a different 3D printing technology, which are FDM, SLS and SLA. Inside the bubble is a list of materials each prints can use.|thumb|Which 3D printing can utilize which material. See the accompanying table for details about each printer type's capabilities.]] | [[File:Venn Diagram of 3D Printer Materials by Printer Technology.png|alt=Venn diagram showing 3 bubbles. Each bubble represents a different 3D printing technology, which are FDM, SLS and SLA. Inside the bubble is a list of materials each prints can use.|thumb|Which 3D printing can utilize which material. See the accompanying table for details about each printer type's capabilities.]] | ||
Each Fab Store | ===Specialized Parts from High-end 3D Printers=== | ||
Each Fab Shop has [[The Fab Store#Anatomy of Fab Stores and Shops|the following equipment]]: | |||
*A professional-grade, FDM 3D printer | *A professional-grade, FDM 3D printer | ||
*A 3D scanner | *A 3D scanner | ||
*CNC machinery | *CNC machinery | ||
This equipment should cover the majority of needs. However, there will be times when even more expensive, specialized machines are required to create parts and items. In these cases, the Fab Store sends the order to the Fab Store Network to fulfill. | This equipment should cover the majority of needs. However, there will be times when even more expensive, specialized machines are required to create parts and items. In these cases, the Fab Store sends the order to the Fab Store Network to fulfill. | ||
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers are the workhorse of 3D printing. Each Fab Store will have one. They can: | [https://www.3dsourced.com/guides/fused-deposition-modeling-fdm/ Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)] printers are the workhorse of 3D printing. Each Fab Store will have one. They can: | ||
*Print a wide variety of materials (not just plastic) | *Print a wide variety of materials (not just plastic) | ||
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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 | ||
*'''Single item printing.''' Speed is often measured in hours when it comes to 3D printing. This can be a bottleneck. While SLA and SLS typically print slower, they can print multiple items at the same time. FDM it limited to one item at a time | *'''Single item printing.''' Speed is often measured in hours when it comes to 3D printing. This can be a bottleneck. While SLA and SLS typically print slower, they can print multiple items at the same time. FDM it limited to one item at a time | ||
Having an additional SLA and SLS printer at each | Having an additional SLA and SLS printer at each Fab Shop would be cost prohibitive. | ||
Beyond 3D printers, the Fab Store Network could buy other types of expensive, large, specialized machines to offer a wider range of materials and items, such as: | Beyond 3D printers, the Fab Store Network could buy other types of expensive, large, specialized machines to offer a wider range of materials and items, such as: | ||
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*Specialized CNC machinery | *Specialized CNC machinery | ||
When a customer's part or item needs go beyond the capabilities of Fab | When a customer's part or item needs go beyond the capabilities of Fab Shop 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. | ||
If a product sells well in multiple markets, it might be time to mass market the product. Single-store sales can't validate a winner but when it's flying off the shelves in Fab Stores across the country, you can safely move the manufacturing from Fab Shops to big factories. | If a product sells well in multiple markets, it might be time to mass market the product. Single-store sales typically can't validate a winner but when it's flying off the shelves in Fab Stores across the country, you can safely move the manufacturing from Fab Shops to big factories. | ||
It's also important to track products that don't sell. There's no need to repeat a mistake at multiple stores. | It's also important to track products that don't sell. There's no need to repeat a mistake at multiple stores. | ||
Fab Store Network sales data aggregated across all | Fab Store Network sales data aggregated across all stores make each Fab Store more profitable. It also spots trends that may lead to the next holiday's must-have gadget! | ||
===Repairs and Sales by Mail=== | ===Repairs and Sales by Mail=== | ||
I believe an online process for shipping an item for repair is crucial to the early success of Fab Stores. Virtual window shopping is also part of the experience. This allows Fab Stores to service customers regardless of geography. | I believe an online process for shipping an item for repair is crucial to the [[The Fab Store#Online Repairs and Sales|early success of Fab Stores]]. Virtual window shopping is also part of the experience. This allows Fab Stores to service customers regardless of geography. | ||
The very first Fab Store will need to establish itself in the market. If that market is limited to the store's part of town, it may never scale to a worldwide neighborhood store. That's why a second, online sales channel is needed. | The very first Fab Store will need to establish itself in the market. If that market is limited to the store's part of town, it may never scale to a worldwide neighborhood store. That's why a second, online sales channel is needed. | ||
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The online repair process needs to meet numerous requirements, some in conflict with others. Requirements include: | The online repair process needs to meet numerous requirements, some in conflict with others. Requirements include: | ||
*'''Easy process for anyone''' The UI should be approachable. It shouldn't overburden the user with | *'''Easy process for anyone''' The UI should be approachable. It shouldn't overburden the user with required details they might not have or might not apply to their item. | ||
*'''Collect as many details as possible''' An accurate estimate is based on an accurate assessment. Some items can't be repaired at all. The customer should feel good about their decision to send the item in. The Fab Store Network should engage the customer in a phone call if we can't offer a good prognosis from the data collected online | *'''Collect as many details as possible''' An accurate estimate is based on an accurate assessment. Some items can't be repaired at all. The customer should feel good about their decision to send the item in. The Fab Store Network should engage the customer in a phone call if we can't offer a good prognosis from the data collected online | ||
*'''Customers should regularly see Fab Store products in the experience''' The physical stores display products to draw in window shoppers. The online experience should also | *'''Customers should regularly see Fab Store products in the experience''' The physical stores display products to draw in window shoppers. The online repair experience should also include the online equivalent to window shopping. The small-scale manufacturing revolution awaits. Fab Stores should be a part of it from the beginning. | ||
==Starting Out== | |||
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=== | |||
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. | |||
For local customers, we'd still have a friendly storefront at the location, complete with pre-built products in the window. The back of the store is sealed off from the front so that noise and debris doesn't enter the customer area. | |||
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=== | |||
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 industrial area with little foot traffic, we can't depend on in-person revenue. We need the worldwide reach of the Internet. | |||
The Fab Store web site/app makes the experience easy and effective. It walks the customer through the assessment process, giving the repair staff enough details to provide an estimate. The customer then sends in the item. We can send a prepaid label and/or box to make shipping even easier. | |||
The Fab Store site mimics window shopping too. Items presented while using the site draw customers into the shopping side where they get lost in a sea of fun and unique items. | |||
The shopping web site even offers build-on-demand products that we don't need to keep in inventory. Just build and ship it on request when a customer orders it. | |||
===Marketing=== | |||
We're creating a new market- Neighborhood stores repairing a wide-array of previously unfixable items through custom fabrication. Building an entirely new market requires more effort than entering an existing market. It takes time and a lot of marketing to create awareness around the new service. | |||
We will need marketing to educate potential customers on what we do. We'll need to understand who our early customers are and target them with advertising. | |||
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=== | |||
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==== | |||
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. | |||
Fab Stores could donate their time on a regular basis for community repair cafe events. We'd be much better equipped and experienced than a volunteer-run repair cafe. | |||
During these repair cafes sessions, if the item can be fixed by labor alone, the repair is free. We would charge for any standard part required for the repair. If the item requires a custom-made part, we'd charge the customer full price for the repair. | |||
We'd encourage volunteers to help with repairs. Then possibly offer them a job with the Fab Store. | |||
Repair cafes bring people into the store, making them familiar with what we do and demonstrating how capable we are at doing it. Awareness of our brand follows. | |||
====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. | |||
A typical community makerspace has 3D printers, CNC machines, sewing machines, painting supplies and more. A Fab Shop has all this equipment. And ours is better and more modern than most equipment offered at community makerspaces. | |||
It would make most sense, I think, to rent by the job. Send us the design electronically, along with payment, and we'll print out the items. The customer would come into a Fab Shop to pick it up when complete. | |||
While I wouldn't expect a large amount of revenue from one-off jobs like these, it offers a tremendous recruiting opportunity. We will especially want to snap up those rare people in the community with both 3D printing and CNC skills! | |||
==Obstacles and Risks== | |||
Fab | ===Return on Investment for Equipment=== | ||
Each Fab Shop has about $125,000 in equipment. This will take a long time to recoup regardless of how much business we do. It also will be a significant factor in how much we need to charge for repairs and manufactured products. | |||
Fab | Here's a rough estimate of the equipment cost for each Fab Shop: | ||
3D | * 3D Scanner: $5,000 | ||
* FDM 3D Printer: $15,000 | |||
* CNC Mill: $50,000 | |||
* CNC Lathe: $50,000 | |||
* Set of Tools: $2,500 | |||
* Sewing Equipment: $1,000 | |||
* Painting tools: $500 | |||
* Parts and raw materials: $1,500 | |||
===Repair Costs=== | |||
A repair requiring a custom fabricated part involves a lot of costs, primarily labor. There's a risk that repairs will be so expensive that it costs more than a new, replacement product. This may only leave us with customers who need repairs on irreplaceable items or customers dedicated to keeping items out of the landfill at all costs. | |||
The following chart shows the cost inputs for a single repair with a fabricated part. | |||
Costs will be much lower for a repair that doesn't require a custom fabricated part. Such repairs are done in the Fab Store by a lower-paid employee. The only costs inputs for simple repairs are assessment, repair item, materials (a standard part) and customer pickup. | |||
Costs will be higher for parts using CNC machinery. Preparing for a CNC job requires more setup than 3D printing. It may require both the lathe and the mill. Material costs will be somewhat higher as well. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
!Cost | |||
!Type | |||
!Quantity | |||
!Amount | |||
!Notes | |||
|- | |||
|Assessment | |||
|Labor | |||
|10 min | |||
|$5 | |||
|Assumes $30/hr for Fab Store repair experts | |||
|- | |||
|Deliver to Fab Shop | |||
|Labor/Transport | |||
|1 trip | |||
|$2 - $12 | |||
|Many customer items shipped at once. Cost depends on the number of items shipped per trip | |||
|- | |||
|Scan/Repair broken part | |||
|Labor | |||
|15 min | |||
|$11.25 | |||
|Assumes $45/hr for Fab Shop makers. Only includes employee's time, not scan time. | |||
|- | |||
|Prepare and 3D print part | |||
|Labor | |||
|10 min | |||
|$7.50 | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|3D printing filament | |||
|Materials | |||
|5 grams | |||
|$0.10 | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|Repair item | |||
|Labor | |||
|10 min | |||
|$7.50 | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|Deliver to Fab Store | |||
|Labor/Transport | |||
|1 trip | |||
|$2 - $12 | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|Customer pickup | |||
|Labor | |||
|5 min | |||
|$2.50 | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|'''Total''' | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|'''$37.85 - $57.85''' | |||
| | |||
|} | |||
===Machine Speeds=== | |||
While our 3D printers are many orders of magnitude faster than home 3D printers, parts can still take minutes to over an hour to print. Making parts with CNC machinery take a significant amount of setup time for each part. It's possible that our equipment might not be able to keep up with the demand. | |||
===Finding/Training Talent=== | |||
Our success depends on hiring employees with two distinct skillsets: Repairing and making. It's rare to find talent with both skills, though makers, I believe could be trained on repairs. Since there are few employers demanding people with these skills, we will likely need to scout out hobbyists and make them professionals. | |||
We further break down makers into two categories- those with 3D printing skills and those with machining skills. While there may be some employees with both sets of skills, my sense is most will only have one or the other. Training on the missing skill is essential. Cross-training makers shouldn't be overly difficult or intense since both skills have many foundational concepts in common. | |||
Makers will also need repair skills for install their fabricated parts. I believe the dexterity, building skills and mechanical inclination common to makers will transfer well to repairs. | |||
The job market for repairers and makers is pretty small. We will need to be creative on our recruiting efforts to find people with the skills we need. I think we'll have our best luck scouting employees at volunteer repair cafes and community makerspaces. There we find talent with both skills and passion for what they do. | |||
==Conclusion== | |||
Dump throwaway culture and discover the next best selling products with my Fab Store idea. I believe the technology, the know-how and the market is ripe for this concept. If you can make it work, you'll help create a more sustainable world and finally deliver on the promise of a small-scale manufacturing revolution. And that would be simply fab(ulous)! | |||