The Future of Open Fabrication
The Emerging World of Open Fabrication
In 2008, IFTF published a forecast on The Future of Making, which looked at the future of the DIY movement. Today, in the Future of Open Fabrication report, we take a deeper dive into the tools, processes, and manufacturing landscapes that are transforming how we shape our material world. In April 2011 IFTF hosted an Open Fab Expert Workshop at the AutoDesk Gallery. Experts, researchers, and guests explored together the many different frontiers where 3D printing and open manufacturing are changing the way that things are made. In November 2011, The New York Times' covered the Future of Open Fabrication report in its post: "Disruptions: The 3-D Printing Free-for-All."
This report shares our forecasts on the future of Open Fabrication, including a first hand look at building and using a Makerbot Thing-O-Matic 3D printer, the human side of fabrication, how people will respond to a world where they can fabricate for themselves, and finally exploring the communities that are arising around open fabrication, particularly in China.
Report Website
Our report is also available in website form at: www.openfabrication.org. This website takes you on a journey through the future of Open Fabrication showcasing the report, forecasts, further reading from our expert and client workshops, and graphic recordings.
Publication Date
August 2011