The Fabrication Lab at the Chicago Innovation Exchange: Something Completely Different

| Adam J. Hecktman

Don’t call it a “maker space”. Don’t get me wrong, I love maker spaces. I get very happy when I see a space dedicated to 3D printing, laser cutting, robotics, and rich ideas. I get even more delighted when they are public spaces. And don’t get me started when I see someone who knows how to properly wield a soldering iron.

But…the Fabrication Lab at the Chicago Innovation Exchange is something completely different. Imagine if a maker lab and an advanced manufacturing and design plant floor had a baby. And that baby was raised by really smart University of Chicago people. Then you would have the CIE Fab Lab. Today marked the launch event to this soon to be iconic space in Chicago.

The fabrication lab represents an extension of the Chicago Innovation Exchange (CIE). The CIE is an entrepreneurial hub at the University of Chicago. Their goal is to nurture student and faculty innovation and provide guidance for commercialization.  Shelley and I have spent a bit of time there over the past year, and every time we walk away inspired, usually awed (and sometimes freaked out). That is especially the case with this new extension.

With the fabrication lab, they can bring entrepreneurship to a new level.  This is not only good for the Univeristy of Chicago, but for the city, and the state. Governor Rauner, who was there to help launch the lab, said that technology is the central driver to the Illinois economy.   Deputy Mayor Steve Koch added that this fab lab is a tremendous opportunity to grow Chicago business.

To prove those points, they had an entrepreneur, Said Al-Hallaj from NetEnergy, talk about how the Chicago Innovation Exchange supported their research and business building, and kept them from fleeing to a coast.   They also received support from the Clean Energy Trust (in the form of a $100,000 Pritzker prize). CET’s CE Amy Francetic was on hand to welcome the fabrication lab to the CIE, and to show off a brilliant civic-focused product (a solar powered light in the form of a blow-up pillow that can be deployed and used in crisis situations). Secretly…that was my favorite part…shhhh.

So welcome to the world CIE Fabrication Lab. I will tell my grandchildren someday that I was there at the beginning. Please enjoy these pictures from this special day.

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Adam J. Hecktman

You may recognize Adam. He’s a regular on TV, you can hear him on the radio, he’s penned numerous articles and is the co-founder of the Chicago City Data Users Group. But some of Adam’s most important work is done behind the scenes in his role as Microsoft’s Director of Technology and Civic Engagement for Chicago. Tech giants, universities and government leaders turn to Adam for guidance on all matters technology, and he happily obliges, helping Chicago overcome challenges and capitalizing on new, exciting opportunities.