Overview
Our Custom Fabrication Lab is where creative vision transforms into physical reality. Combining traditional craftsmanship with modern fabrication technology, we design and build every element of interactive installations—from custom furniture and structural components to electronics integration and computing setup.
This integrated in-house capability sets us apart. We're not just a fabrication shop—we're a complete development environment where wood and metal meet microcontrollers, where 3D-printed components integrate seamlessly with hand-crafted furniture, and where every detail is designed specifically to fit the unique requirements of each installation.
The lab has been instrumental in major projects like our Maker Faire installation and Avezzano che fu, where we handled everything from 3D-printed custom elements to bespoke furniture design, wall painting, electronics assembly, and final integration. This end-to-end capability means faster iteration, tighter integration, and installations that work flawlessly from concept to deployment.
Equipment & Capabilities
Woodworking
Complete traditional and power tool workshop
- Table Saw, Miter Saw, Band Saw: Precision cutting for sheet goods and dimensional lumber
- Router Table, Hand Routers: Edge profiling, joinery, decorative details
- Drill Press, Hand Drills: Accurate hole drilling and assembly
- Sanders (Belt, Orbital, Hand): Surface preparation and finishing
- Planers & Joiners: Material preparation and dimension control
- Traditional Joinery: Mortise-tenon, dovetails, biscuit joints
- Custom Furniture Design: Bespoke pieces designed specifically to fit installation requirements
- Materials: Hardwoods, plywoods, MDF, composite materials
Our woodworking capabilities go beyond standard fabrication—we design and build custom furniture pieces that integrate seamlessly with each installation's unique aesthetic and functional requirements.
Metalworking
Welding, cutting, forming, and finishing
- MIG/TIG Welding: Steel and aluminum structural fabrication
- Metal Cutting: Band saw, angle grinder, cold saw for precise cuts
- Metal Brake & Forming: Sheet metal bending and shaping
- Hardware Fabrication: Custom brackets, mounts, connectors
- Structural Frames: Load-bearing supports for installations
- Surface Preparation: Grinding, deburring, cleaning
- Materials: Mild steel, aluminum, stainless steel, brass
From structural frames to delicate mounting solutions, our metalworking capabilities ensure robust, professional-grade installations.
3D Printing
FDM and Resin printing for custom components
- FDM Printing: Functional parts, structural elements, large prototypes
- Resin Printing: High-detail components, smooth finishes, tight tolerances (±0.1mm)
- Custom Enclosures: Housings for electronics, sensors, cameras
- Mounting Solutions: Brackets, adapters, positioning fixtures
- Prototyping: Rapid iteration of complex geometries
- Production Parts: Engineering-grade materials for final installations
- Integration: Parts designed to interface with wood, metal, and electronic components
3D printing allows us to create complex geometries impossible with traditional fabrication, perfectly tailored to each project's specific needs.
Painting & Finishing
Professional finishing for all surfaces
- Wall Painting: Large-scale surface preparation and painting for installation spaces
- Spray Finishing: Automotive-grade paint, lacquers, clear coats
- Brush & Roller: Interior and exterior paints for wood and metal
- Surface Preparation: Sanding, priming, filling, masking
- Staining & Varnishing: Wood finishes, protective coatings
- Powder Coating Prep: Surface preparation for external coating services
- Specialty Finishes: Textures, patinas, weathered effects
Our finishing capabilities ensure every installation looks polished and professional, from structural elements to decorative details.
Electronics Assembly & Integration
Physical computing and embedded systems
- Arduino Development: Custom sensor systems, interactive controls, automation
- Raspberry Pi Setup: Embedded computing, media playback, network applications
- Sensor Integration: Motion sensors, cameras, proximity detection, environmental monitoring
- Power Systems: Power distribution, battery backup, cable management
- Prototyping: Breadboarding, testing, iteration
- Production Assembly: Soldering, wire management, enclosure integration
- Troubleshooting: Debugging, testing, quality assurance
We design and assemble custom electronics that bring installations to life, from simple sensors to complex interactive systems.
Computing Setup
Hardware preparation for interactive experiences
- PC Configuration: Custom builds, OS installation, software setup
- Thin Client Deployment: Lightweight computing for distributed installations
- Media Players: Dedicated playback systems for video, audio, interactive content
- Network Setup: Local networks, remote access, system monitoring
- Performance Optimization: Configuration for 24/7 operation, reliability
- Integration Testing: End-to-end validation with software and physical systems
- Documentation: Setup guides, troubleshooting procedures, maintenance protocols
Every computer and thin client is configured specifically for its role in the installation, ensuring reliable, maintenance-free operation.
Case Studies
Maker Faire Installation
Complete multi-phase lab involvement from concept to deployment. Custom 3D-printed components for specific installation requirements, bespoke furniture pieces designed to perfectly fit the exhibition space and integrate with interactive technology, structural metalwork, electronics assembly for sensor systems, computing hardware configuration, and professional painting and finishing. The lab's integrated approach meant seamless coordination across all fabrication phases.
Avezzano che fu
Full-spectrum lab contribution across the entire project. Custom furniture designed specifically to match the installation's aesthetic and functional requirements, 3D-printed elements for interactive components, structural support frames, wall painting to transform the venue space, electronics integration for interactive features, and computing setup. Each element crafted to work together as a cohesive whole, demonstrating the lab's ability to handle complex, multi-disciplinary installations.