FAQ

Frequently asked questions

by Jens Dyvik, May 2020

I have never made a machine before, am I going to be able to make my own Fabricatable Machine?

Yes you can! The goal of this project is to make it as easy as possible to make your own machine. Study the docuemtaion and 3D files well. Be prepared to spend a lot of time of it is your first machine, but the skills and insights gained will be wort it. If you get stuck you are more than welcome to post questions in our forum.

Where can I get access to a large format milling machine and training in how to operate it?

Look for your nearest Fab Lab or hackerspace.

I don't have access to a large format milling machine in my area and I cant afford to have a job shop fabricate the parts for me. How can I get started?

Jakob Nilsson is doing great work on Hootstrap, a bootstrap style machine based on 3D printing bearing holders and cutting parts with a traditional wood working tools. You can adapt the design to use the 3D printed bearing holders on ready made parts like shelves and planks.

Are Fabricatable Machines better than store bought machines at the same cost?

If you count only the cost of materials and components, then yes absolutely! However if you include the cost of your labor hours spent building and optimizing your own machine, then no probably not. However do keep in mind that with store bought machines you still need to invest a lot of time in learning to operate and maintain a machine. By fabricating the parts at your local fab lab / hackerspace you will already have gotten an introduction into cnc machine operation, and by assembling your machine you will much faster understand how to maintain and fix it.

If you want to fabricate Fabricatable Machines as a commercial service for local customers, be aware that it is fierce price competition in the low- to mid-end CNC machine world. But there are amazing customers out there who are willing to vote with their purchases to support an open world of freely modifiable and hackable hardware, like Newtone AS and Dala makers who commissioned the 2nd and 3rd Humphrey to be fabricated by Norlink.

I want to fabricate these machines and sell them locally. Is that ok?

Absolutely! We encourage a gentlemens agreement where you share a 2% royalty to the designers of the machine you sell. We have described this in detail on the Making money page.

For gods sake, cant you just buy linear rails and ball screws and build proper machines?

That would require a much higher investment than our current designs and limit the flexibility and freedom in modifying the machine design to custom needs. Meaning less people could benefit from the designs and the usage would be more restricted.

I want a Fabricatable Machine, but I am not dedicated enough to make one myself. How can I buy one?

Our list of Contributors has links to commercial service providers.

I am not able to fab my own machine and cant find someone to fab one for me. But I want a CNC milling machine now. Which one should I get?

We like Openbuilds/Ooznest Workbee and Avid CNC.

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