I had read about Tech Shop in the trade press a few months ago. This is a great new concept in bringing the tooling necessary to turn any new idea into a functioning prototype. That functioning prototype can be converted into a volume manufacturable product. That product, depending on level of complexity, can be used to solicit funding if investment capital is needed. In some cases, products are made directly for production and transitioned to outside suppliers for volume manufacturing.
The press release only mentioned 3 locations so I thought the impact would be somewhat limited. Much to my surprise, they are already open in San Francisco, Menlo Park, San Jose, Raleigh-Durham, and Detroit. Tech Shop has 5 facilities open presently with 2 additional locations planned by the end of this year. Having seen the plan and heard the presentations, my conclusion is that this is the most effective job creation program I have ever heard of. Every new business that has started as a new idea at Tech Shop has generated great income for the inventor and employment for dozens of people who are needed to staff the new business. That’s what it’s all about.
Tech Shop delivers a complete workshop of tools including a Tormach CNC, Lincoln welder, Shop Bot CNC wood router, Jet woodworking and metalworking machinery, Flowjet waterjet cutting systems, MakerBot 3D printers, and Epilog lasers. A full complement of all the basic tools and equipment needed to make just about anything.
The technological level is on par with any high tech facility. Autocad and Adobe software to do concept development and direct interface to the machinery. Paperless manufacturing at the state of the art.
Instructors to train you on machinery and technology if there are things you are not familiar with. Consulting services to add capabilities where you need them. If there is a technology piece that you are missing, Tech Shop will help find resources to help you get it done.
Very impressive. Very well thought out. Destined to be very successful. Tech Shop will change the course of the American economy by providing the tooling for inventors to get their ideas to market quicker and more cost effectively than ever before. The success stories are amazing, and I for one, am a huge fan.
Let’s keep America inventing and starting more new businesses.
Filed Under: Mechatronic Tips