When can I visit? Where are you?

Aalto students and faculty: Wednesday to Friday 10-16

Everyone else: On Open Days Monday 22.10 12-18, after this every Tuesday 12-18. See the lab events schedule for further details.

We are located at Aalto University's Arabia campus in Arabianranta, Helsinki, but entrance to Aalto Fablab is from the lobby where City Library and Iittala store are located - look for white on blue sign saying Aalto Media Factory on a bridge on the second floor. Check the contact us page for more details.

How much does it cost?

Using the machines is free of charge - including hands-on assistance with getting started with your project.

You will need to pay for the use of materials you use from our lab materials stock, when they cost more than 5e.

Even though we don't take money to use the machines, we would like you to document your work in return. So make use of the Lab Camera that sends your photos directly to our Flickr stream. Soon you will also be able to document your work right here on our website.

What materials can I use?

We have basic stock of materials suitable for each of the machines available for purchase at the lab: wood, acryl plastic and cardboard for the laser cutter, vinyl sticker for the vinyl cutter, ABS and PLA plastic for the 3D printers and wood, wax, foam and PCB stock for the milling machine and basic components needed for electronics prototyping. For further details, see equipment descriptions

You can also your own materials, but they should be suitable for the machine you intend to use: please contact Anu to check if your material will be possible to use at Aalto Fablab.

Here's my object design file, when can I come and pick it up?

FabLabs are DIY workshops, so you will be responsible for manufacturing your model yourself during our opening hours - but not to worry, we are here to help you out in getting it done.

You can have your designs manufactured and mailed to you by e.g. Ponoko (lasercutting, 3D printing) and Shapeways (3D printing). For your local lasercutting needs, do look up Lasercut Studio located right here in Helsinki - commercial projects and longer cutting jobs are better done elsewhere than in our FabLab with limited capacity and the 'share your work' -principle.

Can I use the laser cutter NOW?

For the first time we recommend you book an appointment so we can make sure we have time to help you get started. Please check the bookings schedule for the lasercutter and email us at fablab (ät) aalto.fi for your preferred time.

For the following visits, once we've seen you can handle the cutting process without too much assistance, if the laser cutter is not occupied you can make use of it. For projects taking a longer time it would still be best to book your time slot in advance.

Bookable hours for Aalto students and faculty are between Wednesday and Friday 10-16.
During courses and workshops going on the lab is reserved for the course students and no bookings are possible.

On Open Days we do not take bookings - we want as many people as possible also from outside of the Aalto University to have a chance to make at least something small with the laser cutter - this faster to do without bookings, on a first come-first served basis. You need to be prepared to wait a little before your turn, but you can use the time to prepare your design suitable for the lasercutter. For interesting projects that may take a little bit longer time to cut (more than an hour or so), do let us know in advance and we may be able to provide you a time-slot for the laser (this still needs to be on an Open Day)

Keep in mind: we are not a free laser cutting service - we expect you to share your work also with others by documenting it on our website (coming soon) in return of free machine time. For laser cutting or engraving bigger series that are meant to be for sale you should consider finding a commercial laser cutting service.

I have more questions, how can I get in touch with you?

You can write us an email at fablab(ät)aalto.fi and contact any of the staff via their personal contact form - no site registration needed.

Anu will be able to help you with general Fablab questions about the machines and materials, open days and courses, Jukka will be able to answer electronics prototyping questions and Massimo questions about design in a Fablab context.

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