We’ve been fortunate over the past one and one-half years to be involved in some extraordinary projects; first, a Cyborg Beast hand for then 13 year-old Kara Marr, then similar hands for 4 year-olds Preston Bundy and Brinley Papish (BTW, we learned that 4 years old is a bit young for a Beast hand), most recently a violin adapter for 6 year-old Clara Conard from Minneola in Southwest Kansas.  Those kinds of projects get a lot of press coverage and that’s good. 

We have a lot of tools and capabilities for small businesses and manufacturers and we haven’t talked about those enough.  The projects completed by small business owners (SBOs) are not as sensational but very helpful, especially in areas of branding and communication; i.e. signage, banners, posters, brochures and flyers.   We also have the tools for digital communication with audio-video production equipment and editing software.  Finally, we have tools several entrepreneurs are using to develop new products that have been ideas in their minds for years with no way to produce them.  Just a few years ago, our tools and capabilities were not available to small businesses either at all or not at an affordable price. 

The idea of Fab Lab ICC is to make it easy for SBOs to learn to make things themselves.  Indeed, anyone that uses a computer for email, word processing and searching the Internet can learn our software.  In the past few months, due to popular demand (and I mean demand, literally) we’re been working to develop a “bullpen” of student and member entrepreneurs to that can be “called up” to provide services for the busy SBOs that can’t find the time to join the ranks of our “do-it-yourselfers”.  These entrepreneurs receive real-world training while providing a solution for the time-strapped small business owner. 

We have the capability to print everything from business cards to exterior banners.  We have binding, cutting and folding equipment.  We can help make signs from wood, vinyl and aluminum letters and printed adhesive vinyl that can be applied to glass or metal.  We have a professional video camera and microphones.  We have 3D printing and fabrication capabilities for prototyping new products and gadgets.  We have the electronics to make the prototypes come to life. 

So many tools, it’s difficult to describe them; better if people can see them.  We are scheduling a series of small business and manufacturer open house opportunities scheduled for this summer; all informal and all open to the public so people can see what we have to offer.  Starting in June, Wednesdays from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on June 15th and 29^th; July 13^th and 27^th.  Fridays from 7:30am to 10:30am on June 10^th and 24^th; July 8 and 22^nd.  Feel free to drop by during those times or if you have a project you need to get started now, feel free to contact me at jcorrell@indycc.edu or 620-252-5349. 

Jim Correll is the director of Fab Lab ICC at the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship on the campus of Independence Community College. He can be reached at (620) 252-5349 or by email at jcorrell@indycc.edu. Archive columns and podcasts at www.fablabicc.org.