Mobile production makerspace for Hamburg and the metropolitan region

The OpenLab Mobile is an innovative project that focuses on digital fabrication while providing a platform for collaboration and exchange - a mobile teaching workshop on the road for the production of the future with a special focus on digital manufacturing technologies with high sustainability potential.

About OpenLab Mobile

Our 12.66 m long truck with a working area of 26 sqm, equipped with partly open-source digital production machines such as 3D printers, CNC milling machines or laser cutters, gives many people access to machines and knowledge. Under the motto Digital Manufacturing Everywhere, access to open source applications and digital production technology is to be made possible. Educational workshops are organised here, prototypes, spare parts and other products are manufactured digitally, and innovation projects are initiated and supported.

These workshop offers are also available in rural areas and are aimed in particular at school and university educational institutions as well as private individuals, established companies, start-ups and training companies. In 2023, the focus will be on the education sector and in 2024, there will be increased cooperation with businesses.

Concept

The core of the concept is to overcome obstacles and barriers in dealing with these new technologies and to draw a realistic picture for the role of digital manufacturing in the professional environment for future generations.

The vehicle makes it possible to flexibly combine a very practice-oriented work process with a theoretical introduction and, if necessary, reflection phases at twelve machine workstations. Within the framework of the OpenLab Mobile, formats for three competence levels are offered. Each of the levels answers adapted guiding questions with different weighting.

Competence levels

The Basic format is the competence level for beginners and the curious. Here, the aim is to arouse and foster interest by teaching basic skills and counteracting potential points of frustration. Ziel ist es, durch ein einprägsames Erfolgserlebnis in Verbindung mit Selbstwirksamkeit zu unterstützen. This in turn can be a good starting point for increased self-initiative in career orientation, company explorations, projects with external partners or own projects.
For a basic workshop, 180 minutes (excl. breaks) should be scheduled.
In the workshops, the participants find answers to the questions: Why is digital manufacturing interesting for me and what role does digital manufacturing play in the economy and possibly in my professional life?

This format is aimed at target groups who have already gained some experience with related technologies (e.g. CAD, CNC) or are very IT-savvy and have a very keen perception. The focus here is on coping strategies for challenging aspects, as they often occur especially in practice. An advanced workshop should be scheduled for 180 minutes (excl. breaks). In case of a full group size or different distribution of competences, 30 minutes more if necessary. The participants address the core question: How can I implement my own ideas and projects more easily and better in practice through digital production?

The Expert format is usually tailored to the circumstances in advance on the basis of the needs and distribution of competences. In der Regel werden dabei besonders planerische Fähigkeiten in den Vordergrund gestellt, sowie das Spektrum der betrachteten Technologien erweitert und vertieft. Depending on requirements, professionally relevant qualification measures, value creation and business models or, for example, sustainable innovation topics can also be addressed. The central questions of the workshop are: How do I optimally pursue larger and long-term business models while avoiding costs and risks? Welche Investitionen sind für mich die richtigen? How can I integrate digital manufacturing into my processes to become more sustainable and future-proof?

The Basic and Advanced competence levels can be combined or built upon each other if there is sufficient time and interest. There is also the possibility, especially in the field of education, to give a short overview of the technology in a 45-minute lesson and to enable interested people to continue working on the started projects in a later workshop (e.g. as an afternoon offer).

FAQ

In the following, we would like to give you some hints in advance. However, as far as possible, we try to take into account the specific situation on site and are happy to answer open questions in direct contact.

How many people can attend the workshop?

The truck itself offers up to 12 workstations. If the group is larger (up to max. 30 people), the workshop can be started in a correspondingly large group room on site and the participants can then use the truck one after the other.

Is there an age limit?

The workshop can be designed for very different target groups and age ranges. However, experience shows that participants should be 16 years old (at least 9th grade) or older. For workshops in a professional context, we have found that different age groups benefit from each other within a workshop.

What are the costs?

Our wish is to run the OpenLab Mobile in the long term. Therefore, we would be happy to receive financial support. It would be nice and sustainable if your school or, if available, the booster club would voluntarily cover the material costs of the workshops. (A flat rate of 100 € per booked course).

What has to be considered regarding the truck?

The truck itself is just under 13 m long, 5 m wide, has an overall height of 3.30 m and weighs max. 10 t. The parking space must be paved and level (max. 2° inclination) and have sufficient load-bearing capacity. The available space should be at least 10 m x 20 m to ensure sufficient safety distance during the workshop. Außerdem sollte für die An- und Abfahrt eine ausreichend große Rangierfläche vorhanden sein. For the start-up of the truck, we need an external power connection 400 V / 32 A (50 Hz, 3 phases) and it must be ensured that an earthing spike can be inserted into the ground. The workshop management is dependent on being able to use the toilets on site. It would also be great if catering is possible on site (canteen, snack bar, etc.) and the rubbish can be disposed of.

Check list (German)

Who operates and finances the OpenLab Mobile?

The OpenLab Mobile is operated by Süderelbe AG, an economic and regional development company in the southern Hamburg metropolitan region. Other project partners are the New Production Institute at Helmut-Schmidt-University and Fab City Hamburg e.V..
The OpenLab Mobile is part of the dtec.bw project Fab City of the Centre for Digitisation and Technology Research of the German Federal Armed Forces and part of an economic stimulus programme of the German Federal Government with financial support from the European Union’s NextGeneration EU development plan.

How does the scientific monitoring of the project work?

The OpenLab Mobile is part of a research project and will be scientifically evaluated. In this context, we ask all participants to fill out an anonymous feedback form after the workshop. The scientific support is provided by the New Production Institute of the Helmut-Schmidt-University. The director of the study is Mr. Gerrit Rüdebusch. All questions about the study design and the survey methodology can be put to him. The study is being conducted in consultation with the Institute for Educational Monitoring and Quality Development of the Hamburg Ministry for Schools and Vocational Training.