FabLab experience report 

What are the typical features of well-functioning makerspaces and how can enterprises use them?

Firstly, it is very much about the entrepreneurial eco-system, which we develop in the Werkstätte Wattens and in the FabLab. That is actually also a great challenge! To create a room and environment in which people feel comfortable, like to come from, are creative, lose their fear of contact with digital production technologies, and are aided in the development of innovations. These are the fundamental prerequisites that a makerspace needs. Alongside these important “soft facts”, the access to digital technologies is, of course, at the forefront. Additionally, electronic and software expertise are important factors of success and should afflict something positive.

What specialist services does the “Center for Rapid Innovation” in particular offer for an enterprise?

One the one hand, we provide an operative laboratory operation, therefore members can use individual machines and production technologies via their membership. On the other hand, we also offer services like technology consultation, design thinking, prototyping or even specific training and further education provisions. Lastly, we have an extensive range offering classic commissioning of prototypes through to the larger communal development projects that often take more than a year - the common denominator is always “lean and rapid”. If necessary, we pull in people from the network so that we are better equipped in terms of resources.

In many projects, we develop a “proof of concept” with the customer and take ideas so far until there is a functioning prototype and the enterprise can think about whether it needs revision or a start-up can be begun. As desired, we will support the enterprise in every area of innovation management in which they do not yet have the necessary resources or knowledge.

We are constantly thinking about new concepts (innovation workshops, programmes for business model development, etc.) and try them out with enterprises. We are very good at prototyping and can (almost) do everything in-house as we have united a lot of skills here. We provide space and the opportunity for interdisciplinary exchange and networked working. In doing so, we believe a focus on technology, innovation, regional added value and sustainable growth is important.

You regularly work together with medium-sized enterprises. Where does the great potential lie in doing this?

A great potential of our makerspace is that we work professionally and we unite many different skills here. We are able to develop prototypes in quick cycles, which presents a great challenge for large enterprises. Although they frequently have all the devices and machines available to them, they are often at innumerable locations, with umpteen different responsibilities, with waiting times and with other cost deposits. As a result of this, these enterprises cannot have the innovation cycle that we achieve in the Werkstätte Wattens. Within two weeks we are able to run through dozens of prototypes; a large enterprise cannot do this.

Our common denominator is known as Lean and Rapid Innovation. Here, we try to pass things on to large enterprises out that we learn from start-ups that are settled with us, and vice versa. The large enterprises are often too slow and the small enterprises are often too unstructured, however one can learn from the other and vice versa. There is no 100 % perfect approach.

Which aspects are relevant to a fair, reliable collaboration and for a good co-operation between the makerspace of the Werkstätte Wattens and enterprises?

Fairness and other values like reliability, transparency, collaboration and trust play an essential role for us. If you can live by this authentically, then you can get off the ground well here too.

The experience we have had is that a great foundation of trust is needed before enterprises approach you. This foundation of trust is often developed over many years of contact and materialises because the enterprise has had a positive experience due to other provisions (e.g. team-building workshop) that we offer in the FabLab, and they are simply happy with us. The collaboration is based on common experience and trust, then you can also position yourself well as the FabLab in terms of development. What is important is the quality of the handshake.

You first have to earn trust and reputation, then develop it - this is also linked with the respective personalities within the team. And this is not so easy to imitate! The Werkstätte Wattens is developing trust both successively and slowly, which ensures medium to long-term stability. The objective must always be a win-win situation within a co-operation - fair, transparent, open and honest. Because transparency is also crucial for trust and a successful collaboration.

(Interview Dr. Christian Teissl led on 09/05/19 by Diana Wieden-Bischof)