Digital Fabrication Laboratory FABLab

FABLab Madrid

The worldwide FABLab network is an organisation that groups together prototyping laboratories that follow guidelines set forth by MIT. The premise of these guidelines is that in a FABLab, the limit must be set by the human imagination and not the machines. To enter the FABLab network, the laboratory must prove that it complies with the highest standards of technology and knowledge. Universidad Europea obtained the FABLab certification in 2016 and has since worked hard to consistently improve and stay at the cutting edge. This way, following the philosophy of Project-Based Learning, the University can offer its students the best possible tools for their projects.

Our FABLab is a state-of-the-art prototyping laboratory that serves students from all degrees within the School of Architecture, Engineering and Design. The lab also receives commissions from all departments for the fabrication of posters, trophies and commemorative items for presentations and special events at the University. In addition, the lab accepts external commissions if the workload volume allows it.

In this laboratory, in addition to the occasional theory-based class, hands-on workshops are held as part of the course subjects, as well as voluntary workshops and school visits. Students also have open access to the lab outside of these times, so that, with the support of the lab technicians, students can develop their academic and personal projects.

In the FABLab, projects are mainly carried out with students from degrees in the School of Architecture, Engineering and Design, but we also collaborate with students from other degrees on campus, such as Dentistry or Medicine. We also organise hands-on activities with most of the University clubs, for example, prototyping pieces for the Formula UEM. We’ve collaborated with various research groups and chairs, and the lab has also played an integral role in the development of models for Final Degree Projects.

The following techniques can be carried out in the FABLab:

• Handling of laser machinery for cutting and engraving a variety of materials.
• 3D printing with plastic filament, resin, powder, ceramic and silver ink technologies for PCBs.
• Milling of different materials.
• Laser printing in CMYK ink on photographic and normal paper, in large format.
• Automated vinyl cutting using vector files.
• Handling of manual and automated tools for sawing, drilling and machining.

We also have top-notch machinery technology as well as the best software for design and prototyping, and we never stop looking for new prototyping solutions.