The “Fab Lab,” a 44-foot trailer based at North Central Michigan College, a community college in northern Michigan, houses a mobile digital fabrication lab and doubles as a classroom-on-wheels.
Unveiled to the public at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Petoskeythis past spring, the Fab Lab contains 12 state-of-the-art computers loaded with SURFCAM and AutoCAD design programs, a lathe-turning center, and milling equipment. Inspired by a similar mobile unit based in Appleton, Wisconsin, the lab is unique in its rural locale, offering workplace simulations and hands-on training to high school and college students in advanced machining.Its purpose is to equip and help students consider a career in high-tech manufacturing, learn to operate CNC (computer-numerical controlled) machines, and gain credits toward a college certificate or engineering degree.
