Prototyping

From Appropedia

For those working on more complicated appropriate technology prototyping facilities are sometimes necessary for the more complex componennts if they are not already available commerically. The following fabrication laboratories might be useful for demonstrating open source technology.

[edit] SSBX Fab Lab

Sustainable South Bronx has a Fab lab which can be used to do some 2D work with a laser cutter AND a shopbot (CNC router for a 4'x8' plywood).

[edit] Ponoko

Commercially [Ponoko http://www.ponoko.com/] allows you to upload EPS files and will give you a quote for laser cutting several different materials. Ponoko beleives that the post-industrial revolution is changing the way products are created, traded and distributed. Now everyone can engage in the manufacturing process through their PCs - bringing personal manufacturing of individualized products to the masses. Ponoko is basically an online space for a community of creators and consumers to use a global network of digital manufacturing hardware to co-create, make and trade individualized product ideas on demand.

• A review at Treehugger