Digital fabrication in the maritime sector

Together with our research partner Hamburg Port Authority, we opened the OpenLab Port in July 2022 until November 2023 as part of the dtec.bw funded project Fab City.

OpenLab Port is an open high-tech makerspace at homePORT in the Port of Hamburg (*currently closed). We investigate the potentials of digital production (especially additive manufacturing) and open source machines of spare parts in the maritime sector. The OpenLab Port serves as a lab & prototyping facility to explore new applications of open source machine tools, e.g. in metal fabrication, to promote local production on site - A new kind of urban value creation in view of shortened supply chains, which are partly interrupted especially in global crises.

Our goal - to create greater awareness for local manufacturing directly on site with open source hardware in Hamburg.

Concept

The OpenLab Port will test the possibilities of 3D printing for the production of spare parts for the port industry. In addition, port industry trainees, among others, will be introduced to modern, digital fabrication technologies.

Research approach

The OpenLab Port serves as an application example for our interdisciplinary approach to researching the conditions of decentralized urban production, as a so-called Living Lab. Several 3D printers and laser cutters are available in the lab for this purpose.

Workshop offers

The transfer of knowledge around the development of open source hardware with a focus on 3D printing, laser cutting and electronics prototyping is promoted in regular workshops and is suitable for all ages from +16 years without prior knowledge:

The offer is aimed at all students, trainees and individuals, as well as companies and other institutions, who are interested in craftsmanship, design and technology. The Lab can be used for the development of prototypes for start-ups, as well as for research and student projects or for tinkering and fiddling in one’s free time.

Machine equipment

The OpenLab Port has

• CNC milling machines for prototyping projects (materials: wood, aluminum)
• 3D printers (Prusa Mini, Ultimaker and Industrial WASP 2040)
• laser cutter
• Welding machine as well as a workspace equipped with electronics

Location

Contact

Luisa Lange

Project Coordination

New Production Institute

Mohammed Omer

Open Source Machine Tool Developer

New Production Institute