The IlmkubatorLab, the makerspace of TU Ilmenau's start-up service, offers students, employees and those interested in starting a business an inspiring environment in which to realize their projects. As part of the FabLab@TU-Ilmenau, it provides access to state-of-the-art technology and support in the development of prototypes and innovative solutions. In this interview, Matthias Testa and Ferdinand Meier, project managers at the IlmkubatorLab, tell us about the opportunities available to students and prospective founders at the FabLab.
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Whether studying or in the start-up process: the IlmkubatorLab offers creative space for practical ideas
Hello Matthias and Ferdinand, the Ilmkubator Lab,the makerspace of the Start-up Service as part of FabLab@TU-Ilmenau, has been in existence since 2023. How does the IlmkubatorLab fit in with the FabLabs at TU Ilmenau?
Matthias: The IlmkubatorLab is part of the FabLab at TU Ilmenau and is available to all teaching staff, employees and students, just like the teaching workshop, the library or the UNIKAT student workshop. In the IlmkubatorLab, we have a focus on microcontrollers and CNC machines. As it is part of the Ilmkubator start-up service, it offers prospective founders in particular the opportunity to develop prototypes for their business ideas. The lab's motto is "how to make (almost) anything".
What other technical equipment is available in the IlmkubatorLab?
Matthias: In addition to 3D printers, laser cutters, a large and small CNC milling machine and a vinyl cutter, there is a wide range of hand tools, measuring devices and soldering tools available. Students, employees and, in particular, start-up teams can use the space and tools to work on their own projects.
In the IlmkubatorLab, you support students, employees and those interested in founding a company in the realization of their creative ideas - from concept development to the completion of a prototype. What are typical projects and how much help do you have to give?
Ferdinand: Recently, we have often experienced headphone repairs. The students recognized the problems on their own and repaired them by replacing a cable or 3D printing a headband part. For more complex projects, especially with CNC technology, support is sometimes required, for example when making a base plate for a model of a robot cell in product and system development.
Matthias: We accompany the students all the way. However, it is often enough to listen and occasionally make recommendations. For example, one student managed to develop a prototype and an initial product idea for an ideas competition within a week.
Matthias, you recently visited a FabLab in Mexico. What did you experience there? Are there any similarities or differences between the conditions in Mexico and the IlmkubatorLab and did you perhaps bring back any ideas for the IlmkubatorLab?
I was very impressed by the FabLab Puebla with almost 40 participants at the last FabAcademy. In addition to various labs and different manufacturing areas, the "Business Lab" of the Iberoamerican University was particularly interesting for me, as it provides young and creative start-ups with a small office. There was also an area with various opportunities to rest in order to restore your ability to work. Overall, I found the place very inspiring and open. What I took away was that we should also offer the "FabAcademy" program at TU Ilmenau in order to provide those interested in founding a company with the necessary tools to develop innovative and technology-oriented spin-offs.
Ferdinand, you have already worked in 12 FabLabs worldwide. What experience have you gained in the various labs?
Ferdinand: I've been to different labs all over the world, from Portugal to Pakistan to Japan. Despite the huge cultural differences, I have found that the problems and ideas that concern us FabLab members are similar everywhere. We all share the goal of creating a better and more sustainable world. And since we use the same machines and tools in most cases, we can easily understand and learn from each other even without a common language. The global FabLab community is an example of how people from different cultures and backgrounds come together to find solutions to the challenges of the future.
You teach in the FabAcademy, which TU Ilmenau students have also been able to attend since the beginning of the year. What do they learn in this continuing education program?
Ferdinand: The FabAcademy is an international program that we were able to introduce at TU Ilmenau this year thanks to the support of the Carl Zeiss Foundation and the examING project (Foundation for Innovation in University Teaching). Since 22 January, seven participants from TU Ilmenau have been taking part in the demanding, practice-oriented program, in which they plan and implement a new project every week for five months. They receive scholarships from the Hirschvogel Foundation and the University Society of the TU Ilmenau for financial support. Practical manufacturing techniques are taught. Students learn how to implement ideas from the concept phase to the finished prototype. Typical projects include smart IoT devices, robotics projects and personalized products. The program places great emphasis on digital manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing, CNC milling or electronics development.
In the 20 years I have worked as a mechanical engineer, I have found that communication between design and manufacturing is crucial. If both sides understand each other better, errors and problems can be avoided.
Both the FabLabs at TU Ilmenau and the FabAcademy focus on practical work. Why is this so important in your studies?
Matthias: Practical work in FabLabs and in the FabAcademy in particular combines digital teaching with real-life application: students use knowledge acquired online to develop concrete solutions using tools such as 3D printers or CNC machines. This symbiosis of theory, digital skills and practice is strengthened by projects such as examING - supported by the Foundation for Innovation in Higher Education with federal funding. This not only creates technical know-how, but above all courage and the ability to implement innovations from the idea to the prototype.
Ferdinand : We are slowly losing the ability to repair our own products. Everything is just replaced and thrown away. Only those who are able to understand an existing product, take it apart and understand all the details can develop new, better products.
The IlmkubatorLab is funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation. How has the funding from the Carl Zeiss Foundation influenced the Lab's offering and equipment?
Thanks to the funding from the Carl Zeiss Foundation, we are able to continue the IlmkubatorLab beyond the funding period of the "EXIST - Raising Potential" project and equip it even better. Thanks to this support, we can offer extended opening hours and regular workshops on various topics with a focus on "digital fabrication". We can also intensify support for our start-up teams from the world of science.
You recently moved into new premises in the Kirchhoff Building. What has changed for you as a result of the move? What advantage does the proximity to the UNIKAT student workshop have?
In mid-December, the IlmkubatorLab moved to the main campus together with the Ilmkubator Start-up Service. This enables us to work even more closely with all areas of the university. Our start-up advisors are already looking forward to closer contact with students and researchers thanks to the central location on campus. The FabLab@TU Ilmenau has moved closer together with the relocation of the IlmkubatorLab to the immediate vicinity of the UNIKAT student workshop. We are sharing resources and expanding our cooperation. For students and those interested in founding a company, this means that we can offer even more expertise, more frequent OpenLabs and even more machines. We are very happy about this great opportunity and cordially invite those interested in founding, tinkering, making and those who want to become founders to the IlmkubatorLab (K 1087) - for example, every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon for "Meet & Work - Open Lab at the Ilmkubator".
Another opportunity to discover our new premises in the Kirchhoffbau is the "Open Doors @ Ilmkubator" event on February 19, 2025 from 10:00 to 12:00. With a small drink, we want to toast together at 10:30 a.m. to what we have achieved, what is to come and our new location.
Matthias Testa
Start-up consulting and IlmkubatorLab