19Aug
17Aug
Vinyl Cutter
Vinyl Cutter
The Roland GS-24 Vinyl Cutter is a desktop cutting machine able to cut vinyl, card and paper, precisely. Machine Status: Working (more…)
25Jan
Saxifrage Mini CNC
The Saxifrage 3 axis Mini CNC machine is a small, solid 1610 CNC using GRBL firmware and OpenCNCPilot control software. It is specifically for milling prototype PCBs. Machine Status: Working (more…)
11Dec
Closing the loop: Innovation for a Circular Economy
On Wednesday 6th December, 2017, Paul Bristow represented Pangloss Labs along with 5 other startups with innovations in the circular economy in Brussels . We were chosen from across all of the EU to participate in a high-level policy discussion at the European Parliament, hosted by Nespresso and the EU40. MEPs Franc Bogovic (EPP, Slovenia) and Davor Skrlec (Greens/EFA, Croatia) hosted the roundtable debate preceded by six start-ups that pitched their innovations and spice up the discussion. (more…)
26Aug
Introduction to 3D Printing
Learn about the world of 3D printing from one of our fablab experts. In this introduction course you will learn the basics of 3D printing and how to use a filament-based 3D printer, including the all important first print.
Bring a laptop computer or tablet if you can.
This is a two hour course including hands on exercises with a Pangloss expert.
At the end of it you will be able to use the Pangloss Labs 3D printers, and be much more expert with your own 3D printer at home or work.
Check our events calendar for the next 3D printing course date.
This course is available in both French and English languages.
19Jun
Pangloss @ #UNHCRNGOs
On June 14th 2017, representatives from Pangloss Labs were invited to participate to the UNHCR annual consultation with NGOs. From the sustainable development innovation lab, Paul, Charlie & Gianluca decided to dedicate one day to this. With our partners from the Global Humanitarian Lab (based at the Palais de Nations), we exhibited some of the things that digital fabrication - and more importantly the entrepreneurial, problem solving mindset around it - could enable in refugee environments. It was an eye-opening day for all of us, and each of us decided to tell the story in our own words. (more…)
09Nov
Calendula 3D scanner
The Calendula 3D scanner is a printed in the lab rotating scanner, based on the ATLAS 3D open source project, and using a Raspberry Pi to derive full colour point clouds and STL meshes from the object being scanned. Machine Status: Working but needs frequent calibration (more…)
07Nov
Treffe 3D printer
The Treffe 3D printer is a Makerbot X2. Machine Status: Working (more…)
07Nov
Primula 3D printer
The Primula 3D printer is a modified open source iTopie design with a diamond head triple mixing extruder for providing full-colour FDM printing. Machine Status: Needs Z axis calibration (more…)
07Nov
Oak CNC
The Oak 3 axis CNC machine is an open source Openbuilds OX CNC using a smoothieboard as it's control system. Machine Status: Working (more…)
07Nov
Blue Lotus Laser Cutter
The "Blue Lotus" Laser Cutter is a largish 80W CO2 laser cutter with a cutting bed of 1000x400mm, capable of cutting wood, plastic, card, paper and fabric, and engraving more materials. Machine Status: Working (more…)
07Nov
Forget-me-not 3D printer
The Forget-me-not 3D printer is a robust, solid Printrbot Simple Metal with heated bed, extended X axis and an Octoprint-based Raspberry Pi controller. Machine Status: Working (more…)
07Nov
Comfrey CNC
The Comfrey 3 axis CNC machine is a robust, solid Badog X2 CNC using Mach3 control software. Machine Status: Working (more…)
20Mar
Making things for a good cause
One of the great things about being based in Geneva is the interesting people you meet. While working on innovation for “International Geneva”, I met up with the ICRC’s innovation team. They have been working on a global makeathon for humanitarian causes. One thing led to another, and I ended up giving a webinar on rapid prototyping and following that up with a long blog post which you can read on the Enable Makeathon’s site
10Feb
Is Lake Geneva ready to make stuff again?
Globalisation only flows one way. At least that’s the experience of the last 30 years. Manufacturing fled Europe, looking for more and more economies of scale, making millions of identical objects for the cheapest possible price.
Mass manufacturing has changed the world, but every process comes to an end. When something becomes “the only way to do things”, innovation kicks in and find a alternative. Open Source distributed manufacturing is that alternative. New, open source technologies have reduced the costs of machinery by a factor of tens to hundreds. Things that were complicated and expensive, like accurate positioning in 3D space, have become trivially simple and ridiculously cheap. The result is that it has become much less expensive to make individual customised objects – something that mass manufacturing cannot do at all. FabLabs, like this one, are described as a place when you can make “almost anything”. We know what the things we cannot yet make are, and many of the projects in these spaces are open source machines to overcome these limitations. Just in the last two years we have seen machines for knitting clothes, printing fabrics, printing concrete, and laminating wood/carbon fibre composites, as well as DNA sequencers, projects to grow bricks, produce all sorts of energy efficient vehicles, and build your own energy efficient houses. These projects are not developed by individual geniuses in their garages. The internet was designed as a collaborative tool, and has delivered magnificently. Local communities of people interested in making things have found each other online, and joined together to create physical spaces where they can collaborate together. These projects, in turn collaborate online in globe-spanning open source projects, creating amazing collaborative answers to problems that might not be solved in any other way. Right now it’s not for replacing the things you can buy in the shops, more for replacing the things you cannot buy in the shops. How often have you searched and not found the thing you were looking for? Simply not been able to buy a spare part, or not found a table the right size in the right wood. Those are the sorts of things maker-spaces can produce using parametric design and shared resources. In twenty years the very idea that you would buy something that is the same thing that any of your neighbours have will seem quaint, like Henry Ford’s “any color you like as long as it’s black”. You will be able to easily customise the object you want to suit your exact needs and have it quickly manufactured in your local fabrication centre. Or have a brand new thing designed just for you from scratch using open source tools, technologies and techniques. Around Lake Geneva, this is a work-in-progress. On the 27th of June 2015, the makers of the Lac Leman region unified for the first time to put on the “Leman Make” Festival. At the start, we knew of two hackerspaces in the region. One year later we had dozens of local fabrication spaces involved in the festival, all of whom were making stuff right here. Technology should be a slave, not a master. It’s time it stopped being exclusive – something for other people far away to master – came back home, and was made accessible to everyone. As children we were all taught to share, and it turns out that sharing really can change the world for the better.So the answer to the question “is Lake Geneva ready to make stuff again?” is definitely a resounding yes. We hope you’ll join in.
21Jan
Fab Lab
Fablab
Hands on building of (almost) anything. Prototyping, finished products and repairs. With digital fabrication machines from 3D printers to lasers to large format CNC machines.
A Fablab is a space for learning new skills and sharing your skills. We do not have resources to fix things for free, but will happily show you how you can learn to repair and make things. To find out more, visit us on one of our regular open days.
So far we've had projects including Art & Design, Prototypes & Repairs, Furniture & Decoration, Electronics & Automation, Experimentation & Research, Robotics, along with DIY & Education. If you're not sure where to start, we even have group projects where you can learn with others.
You don't have to start from zero. Come and learn how about the world of digital fabrication with our regular training courses. Our introduction courses are suitable for everyone, with reduced prices for Pangloss members!
The 3D “Ovoid” Ring
Presentation of the art The ring "Ovoid" is an original creation based on the cut of a fuselage of airliner. It can be set with 3 stones lodged between the two arches. It was made of polymer resin using a 3D printer (DLP). Designer Guillaume CABRIÉ Production Fablab Pangloss in Ferney-Voltaire with a DLP [...]
Manufacturing for Colucci Design’s light
Introduction of the work Pentagon lamps by Claudio Colucci Set of 9 lamps based on the replication of openwork aluminum pentagons. Its were positioned in the center of the red carpet at the Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva for the Geneva Charity Ball 2016. All guests were able to admire every element that light came to [...]
Violin 3D HOVALIN vs Pangloss
Presentation The Hovalin violin is a 3D printable violin. This three-section acoustic violin has been enhanced to provide better sound and a higher volume than the previous version. Close collaboration was established between the members of PanglossLabs, "Fablab" installed at the Marmousets, and Johnny Zefferini and Martine De Boisjolly, violin teachers. A first (red) prototype [...]
Custom puzzle for Crowdfunding campaign
You are looking goodies or products to package your crowdfunding campaign…Panglosslabs can do it for you. This is the story of a book creation for young children. It’s describe the lemur life and the ecosystem protection that are need this animals to survive. This example is demonstrating : how to design and to produce a custom puzzle at […]
Salmanazar Light
Presentation of the creation: “Salmanazar Light” is both a decorative lamp and a stand for 35 champagne flutes. “Salmanazar Light” transforms the set of champagne flutes into a luminous and harmonious work of art. This creation dynamically changes its appearance and gives an everchanging ambience with lighting effects coming through the champagne flutes. As each […]
We have a range of different machines in the fablab, suitable for different types of project, from hobbyist to professional. To use one of our machines, you will need to be a member of the association. We do not (yet) sell material for making your projects, but may have small scrap/leftover pieces for testing. Before reserving a machine, you will need to be trained in one of our training courses. Use of machines is on a first come first served basis and requires payment. Hand tools, table saw, scroll saw, drill press etc are available in the space and are free for members to use. Fees are displayed in the fablab and, for members, on the appropriate web page.
Primula 3D printer
The Primula 3D printer is a modified open source iTopie design with a diamond head triple mixing extruder for providing full-colour FDM printing. Machine Status: Needs Z axis calibration
Designjet Printer
(Hosta) HP Designjet 5500 Printer The HP Designjet printer is suitable for printing posters, roll-ups and other creative things. Machine Status: Working
Comfrey CNC
The Comfrey 3 axis CNC machine is a robust, solid Badog X2 CNC using Mach3 control software. Machine Status: Working
Saxifrage Mini CNC
The Saxifrage 3 axis Mini CNC machine is a small, solid 1610 CNC using GRBL firmware and OpenCNCPilot control software. It is specifically for milling prototype PCBs. Machine Status: Working
Oak CNC
The Oak 3 axis CNC machine is an open source Openbuilds OX CNC using a smoothieboard as it’s control system. Machine Status: Working
Calendula 3D scanner
The Calendula 3D scanner is a printed in the lab rotating scanner, based on the ATLAS 3D open source project, and using a Raspberry Pi to derive full colour point clouds and STL meshes from the object being scanned. Machine Status: Working but needs frequent calibration
Forget-me-not 3D printer
The Forget-me-not 3D printer is a robust, solid Printrbot Simple Metal with heated bed, extended X axis and an Octoprint-based Raspberry Pi controller. Machine Status: Working
Vinyl Cutter
Vinyl Cutter The Roland GS-24 Vinyl Cutter is a desktop cutting machine able to cut vinyl, card and paper, precisely. Machine Status: Working
Blue Lotus Laser Cutter
The “Blue Lotus” Laser Cutter is a largish 80W CO2 laser cutter with a cutting bed of 1000x400mm, capable of cutting wood, plastic, card, paper and fabric, and engraving more materials. Machine Status: Working
Lab Managers
The Fab Charter
What is a fab lab?
Fab labs are a global network of local labs, enabling invention by providing access to tools for digital fabrication
What’s in a fab lab?
Fab labs share an evolving inventory of core capabilities to make (almost) anything, allowing people and projects to be shared
What does the fab lab network provide?
Operational, educational, technical, financial, and logistical assistance beyond what’s available within one lab
Who can use a fab lab?
Fab labs are available as a community resource, offering open access for individuals as well as scheduled access for programs
What are your responsibilities?
safety: not hurting people or machines
operations: assisting with cleaning, maintaining, and improving the lab
knowledge: contributing to documentation and instruction
Who owns fab lab inventions?
Designs and processes developed in fab labs can be protected and sold however an inventor chooses, but should remain available for individuals to use and learn from
How can businesses use a fab lab?
Commercial activities can be prototyped and incubated in a fab lab, but they must not conflict with other uses, they should grow beyond rather than within the lab, and they are expected to benefit the inventors, labs, and networks that contribute to their success
28Jun
Pangloss at Leman Make
We attended the LemanMake Festival in Nyon, to go and meet the hackers, makers in the region and to see how to democratise what can be done with fablab machines. Workshops for kids, impressive demo, conferences, everything was there to discover what the future will look like. 
. Also a great opportunity to meet with our friends from all parts of Switzerland.
. Also a great opportunity to meet with our friends from all parts of Switzerland.
21Jan
Social Innovation talk at Impact Hub Geneva
Paul was asked to speak at Impact Hub Geneva's crowdfunding launch event yesterday. The round table was about Social Innovation. With such people in the audience as representatives from the UNHCR and the ICRC he talked about the impact of crowdsourced open source hardware. Projects described included Data Canvas Sense Your City real-time environmental monitoring, Publiclab - the citizen science portal, the Open Source Beehive project, Local Motors and the awesome E-NABLING the future project, providing low-cost customised prosthetic limbs all over the world and making people smile. http://youtu.be/KcPjwq9-sDc
14Jan
23Dec
Christmas Gadgets, the Santa Tracker
Gadget Guru is a short weekly radio show on World Radio Switzerland that I do with Tony Johnston. Here's the show from December 23rd, 2014: A few links from this show: 3D Printed cookie cutters can be downloaded from thingiverse or you can design your own. The best place to try 3D printing is your local hackerspace. Post Tenebras Lab in Geneva has an open evening each Tuesday. Fixme in Lausanne has an open evening each Wednesday. FabLab La Cote in Nyon has it's open evenings on Mondays. The Christmas Shopper Simulator from Game in case your shopping was too easy this year The Norad Santa Tracker The cool magnetic levitation hoverboard http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSheVhmcYLA and the noisy one that you can make yourself
