About TechShop

“ a playground for creativity and innovation techshop is an open-access do-it-yourself (diy) workshop and fabrication studio. a community-based space where entrepreneurs, artists, makers, teachers, and students can learn and work together, techshop is open to everyone with an idea: whether they want to make it solo, or to find great collaborators. techshop is a platform for innovation, an open source model that delivers. emerging from the maker movement, techshop has developed into an internationally recognized concept, one that can help new ideas come to life and act as a catalyst for the creation of whole new inventions, products, or businesses. it provides a place where inventors, hobbyists and makers of all disciplines can get easy access to high-end machines and tools – lathes, laser cutters, welding equipment, 3d printers, long-arm quilters – with no barriers to entry. operating on a similar model to a health club, techshop provides access to a wide range of high end equipment: but instead of exercise equipment, members get access to 1,500m2 of crafting, diy, manufacturing and 3d prototyping tools, all included in a monthly or annual membership fee. the workshop is designed for everyone, regardless of their skill level. it aims to empower members, giving them the skills and access they need so the only limit to what they can create and make is their own imaginations. makers are the kind of people who share a quality that leads to learning and to innovation, with a perennial curiosity about how they could do it better the next time. the design cycle is all about iteration, trying something again and again until it works and then, once it works, improving it.

“ a facility e n a b l i n g economic local and placemaking benefits our mission is to engage, enable and empower people to build their dreams. by providing the facilities needed to enable rapid prototyping, makerspace access makes low volume manufacturing possible for smes in a way it’s never been before. an instant destination techshop locations are known for attracting leading locally based and global companies, smes, designers, universities, and other institutions to their surrounding area. attracts the creative class creative industries promote innovation and have the potential for spillover to other industries – increasing creative capital, cultural richness and diversity. they make a sizable economic contribution. enhances area value, creates jobs & startups a makerspace serves as the birthplace for a myriad of revolutionary designs and prototypes. small start-ups develop within the facility, growing into successful indigenous companies and expanding to larger spaces, creating a wider impact on the surrounding area. generates users for mixed amenities community members seek amenities nearby, providing a strong customer base for cafes, restaurants and retail outlets within the local area.

“ before he i n v e n t e d the assembly line, henry ford built his first prototype on a workbench in a shed each location houses a broad range of equipment, tools and workshopping spaces (programme areas) to facilitate a wide variety of different types of making. major programme areas are split up according to the processed materials, such as the wood shop, metal shop, textiles lab, electronics, etc. a typical techshop will therefore be broadly sub-divided into several delineated programme areas, to ensure the best possible environment for each area of focus. factors such as workflow, lighting and noise levels, and other health and safety considerations are all taken into account when a layout is being planned. the workshop is designed based on our extensive experience and observations of how members use the space and machines. where necessary we can adapt the equipment platform to meet the needs of local stakeholders, providing a wide array of tools but also for example allowing a particular focus on e.g. electronics, internet of things, etc. the choice of machinery is determined by ease of use, suitability to multiple uses and applications, processing of materials and durability. a wide range of classes and project-based workshops are provided catering for all levels, allowing users to gain familiarity or expertise in any areas of the makerspace’s programme area or equipment they chose.

“ a place w h i c h e n g a g e s , e n a b l e s , e m p o w e r s & t r a n s f o r m s people ensuring the correct usage of equipment in a makerspace is fundamental to user safety. this is why our class and workshop curriculum covers all programme areas available in the space, from woodworking, laser cutting and etching, 3d printing and editing, to cad/cam software and much more. depending on the ease or complexity of the machine or a combination of tools, as well as its safety and technical aspects, different types of classes are offered to the participants. typically, about 3 to 6 people attend a class which lasts between 2 to 3 hours. all classes are offered to the public - not just members - regardless of their skills level and age. the education programmes enable young people, from 8-years old and up, to recognize their potential as makers of the future. access classes for safety and basic use (sbu) a primary, introductory class taken to get access and to gain the basic information needed to get started on a piece of machinery. machine & software classes for different levels of knowledge follow-on classes for members who have taken a few sbus and now wish to gain more in-depth knowledge of certain machines or the relevant software for running the equipment. project classes focused on predefined projects workshops on a specific subject which are of interest to the community. hourly or multi-day classes work towards each participant creating a finished product, using several different types of machines in an equipment group, or in multiple equipment groups, along the way.

“ b e c o m i n g a member means more than an id badge the facility attracts members who are interested in co-making, tinkering, prototyping and fabrication. members range from school and university students to automobile engineers. each of our locations is home to a well-balanced group of users in age, gender and demographics – this creates a diverse and engaged mix, though each location will have its own distinct ‘flavour’ as well. an active membership grants access to the workshop. no application deadlines, previous knowledge or certificates are necessary to become a member, and everything you need to know to make the most out of your membership, you can start to learn as soon as you sign up. different types of memberships are on offer to meet any customer’s usage needs in line with their own schedule, free time and working hours. members can start making right away with memberships ranging from a one-day membership up to a one year membership, and even a life time membership. all members typically go through the maker life cycle, regardless of how much time they spend in the shop. access to the space empowers them to explore, design and build ideas, or develop new ones while learning whole new skill sets and creating new products. as well as empowering individuals, the space benefits the entire community too, acting as a catalyst for economic and creative development and a magnet for that part of the city.

“ creativity is intelligence - having fun albert einstein a creative workspace makes an ideal venue for many different types of group gatherings. members, non-members and organisations can rent the space to hold their own events such as corporate team building activities, or they can select from one of the group events on offer. group events are designed to engage participants in a transformative experience. attendees will get the opportunity to flex their imaginations and learn new skills in a fun and inspiring environment. events are designed so that no prior experience with any of the equipment is necessary. typically, this involves the group collaborating to make something memorable together with guidance from personable and knowledgeable staff. the makerspace offers a range of events that can be scalable and customizable to accommodate a variety of group sizes, topics or interests. these sorts of events are often used for a wide range of group types, for example as corporate team building exercises, activities for partner organisations which can be hosted by the makerspace, or as learning experiences for visiting school students. corporate events are an important element of a makerspace’s industry engagement strategy. any new location will be uniquely positioned to introduce key industry executives and decision makers not only to advanced manufacturing and rapid prototyping capabilities but also to the emerging importance of the maker movement to product innovation.

“ s e c u r i n g m e m b e r safety and e q u i p m e n t lifespan is crucial safety has always been one of core values and all of our locations boast an impressive safety history. this track-record speaks to an ability to recognise which machinery requires specific training and the appropriate ratio of “on the floor” support staff. regardless of their prior knowledge, all members must complete safety and basic use classes before they are allowed on relevant machines. all machinery is equipped with badge scanners that will identify if the member has gained the appropriate safety credentials. a zero-tolerance policy ensures that safety is always a priority in any facility, and knowingly attempting to use machines without taking the required classes, will result in the member’s membership revoked. there are also restrictions on the tools that minors (under age 17) can use independently. age restriction on certain items allows us to welcome minors, from 8 to 17, to safely use the environment too. depending on the age range, we distinguish three categories of machine access: • no access • allowed under supervision of parent, legal guardian or authorized adult • allowed independently the custom build customer managment system (cms) is at the heart of documenting all permission levels and room and equipment access in the space. it is connected to the badge scanners in the shop, providing a constant check on the equipment usage and programme area access.

“ “experience c a t a l y s t s “ as a first point of contact at front desk front desk staff are our “experience catalysts”, meaning that their role is to ensure that members have all the information they need to enjoy and get the most out of their time in the shop. as the first point of contact in the space they are welcoming and attentive and will always go the extra mile to meet members’ needs. the front desk team as a whole ensures that all systems and supplies are organized and available, giving members a seamless experience. front desk are also responsible for the following member services: retail & materials shipping and receiving a basic retail store is an essential component of a well-run community makerspace. stores can also receive shipments of material on behalf of members. machine reservations members can make machine reservation in advance of busy times to ensure access to the machines they need. room rental & reservations event rooms, computer labs and common areas are available for rent to members, non-members and public organizations. project storage each location also offers differently sized storage solutions so that members can store their materials, consumables, projects and personal tools right on site.

“ a place to think outside the box in recent years our spaces have kept pace with the changing landscape of product development, evolving from a pure diy workshop and fabrication studio to a facility that also supports hardware innovation with high-end professional design, prototyping and fabrication services on behalf of hardware entrepreneurs and start-ups. the following services are offered to support the start-up and business community: personal consulting and project assistance personal consulting and project assistance is one-on-one, project based, design brainstorming and build assistance. this service allows members and non-members to work alongside an instructor or a workshop technician to produce a project or part of their design. personal prototyping - do-it-for-me (difm) personal prototyping is a “we do it for you” option, for anyone who has a design but lacks the time or expertise to see it through the entire process to a final build. the expert instructors or workshop technicians produce a project or part(s) for the person. this service is available to both members and non-members. personal training personal training is a one-on-one class scheduled at the convenience of the participant(s), typically focusing on a specific skill or piece of equipment.

“ the emerging m a k e r movement is the new mineral to mine operating hours 7 days a week from 9:00 to 21:00 (fridays start 2pm) qualified staff are always on hand for support and supervision one stop shop for a wide variety of programme areas (wood shop, metal shop, electronics, software, etc.) exclusive class bookings and customised project based workshops open to all members aged 8 and over community creation between with other member groups such as companies, students, freelancers, or private individuals (i.e. designers, engineers, makers, …) individual short-term subscription for only a month at a time as well as floating memberships available for long-term corporate project groups no additional charges for machine usage as well as accessible machine reservations to ensure project deadlines are met training and skills development begins the moment you join, getting everyone (i.e. individuals, young innovators, workforce staff...) up and running in no time

how does techshop work? 1. walk in for a tour, no booking needed! 2. take out a membership your membership gives you instant access to the shop to use all the software on our computers, hand tools and electronics bench to start developing your ideas right away. 3. take classes to use the machines you want watch your potential grow with each new skill you learn! 4. start working on your own projects! the possibilities are limitless. what kind of classes are available? 1. safety and basic use (sbu) a primary, introductory class taken to gain the information needed to get started on a piece or group of machinery. for safety reasons, the successful completion of a sbu class by our members is required for some of our equipment prior to independent use. 2. pathway classes follow-on classes for members who have taken a few sbus and now wish to gain more in-depth knowledge of certain machines. some non-sbu classes would fall in this section as well, for example electronics or software classes. 3. project based workshops project based sessions for members who wish to hone their skills in a particular area, gain some more specialist expertise, or be guided through the creation of a specific item or items.