A 1,000 m² prototyping facility, to meet the needs of startups, companies and researchers and to encourage student-entrepreneurs
A place for meetings, interactions and collaborative creation
An environment combining resources and cutting edge tools, with support provided by a multidisciplinary and international FabLab team
A collaborative mindset that draws on the diversity of all the user profiles: students, researchers, entrepreneurs, large corporations
Training users on techniques and machine handling
Providing the support and advice required for projects to succeed
400 people trained each year
Prototyping facility
Design training and support
Supporting and challenging execution
The prototyping facility at l'X is a key contributor to the development of our startup. Obviously, we couldn’t have produced our first models without a large-scale 3D printer. But the experience of other users was also invaluable in helping us improve the design and manufacture of our boards. In fact, we’re now working on a second model, partly inspired by the Fab Managers who have a thorough knowledge of the machines, techniques and materials we can use.
Being able to produce a prototype is critical for any company with a hardware component. Without it, you would end up spending your time hunting down resources in various places. Here, we are lucky enough to be able to do everything in a single location and we really have all the materials we need for a first prototype.
The Ecole Polytechnique FabLab isn’t just a fablab, we also have a connection with the laboratories. It’s a place for research where startups can meet amongst themselves and also with companies who are onsite, like Valeo.
The FabLab mentors really helped us implement our project. They first suggested a topic and then they also put us in contact with a researcher from INRIA and an expert in soft robotics. Before we used the FabLab, we had to undergo formal training, so that we could improve every stage of the design and production process: modeling, using a cutter, setting up the 3D printer. The FabLab’s key strength isn’t just the equipment, it’s also the fact that it can adapt to our project.
9 hubs, 60 machines, cutting edge and international expertise
3D printing // Liquid or fused deposition modeling // Resin, composite and multi-material 3D printing
3- and 5-axis CNC machining // Vinyl and laser cutting // Engraving
Thermoforming // Plastic injection molding
Doubled-sided PCBs // Flexible electronics // Conductive ink
Finishing tools
Printing // Digital embroidery // Sewing
CAD // 3D scan // Simulation
Open source // Cobot // Computer vision
Embedded 3D engine // Movement detection