Claus is the project leader and founder of FabLab Middelfart. He was a officer in the Air Force, before he decided to change his way of living to do good for people around him. After a masters degree in ICT-based educational design, he contacted the FabLab in Vejle to be part of their project. In May 2018, he and the municipality founded the FabLab in the city of Middelfart and its associated Makerspace in the library in Nørre Aaby.

Claus was already quite experienced about FabLabs, but he impressively created the space in Middelfart from scratch, learning by himself everything needed, to part in designing the furniture, but also connecting computers and machines, and making things easy to use for everyone.

The space had 3 internships in the past and one student. The laboratory recently found 2 part-time assistant a Natasha as Lab Manger and Alexander as Educational Adviser. You are very welcome to contact them if you’re interested!

FabLab Middelfart is located on the first floor of an old school building. The building also has a library, a wood workshop, a ceramic workshop and a textile workshop, but they’re not open to the public yet (as of early 2019). Most of the furniture are set against room walls, and the furniture at the room center are all on wheels and can be moved everywhere – thus making it easy to free the space for different kind of projects and/or events!

FabLab Middelfart is open to everyone. On a regular Thursday, an average of 10 people will be inside the space. Since its opening, a group of 6 students are coming regularly. Sometimes, people are coming alone or with some friends to build and play. But students are not the only one to come here, some curious hobbyists and entrepreneurs are also coming for their projects or advices.

In 2019, more events and workshops are planned to welcome new people in the space. Other projects are currently being developed for the users: step-by-step guides for all machines and documentation based on FAQ. There projects aim to enable all people to start using the tools in the workshops.

FabLab Middelfart was funded thanks to the school department for 3 year project. These funds were enough to establish the workshop & cover daily operations. The FabLab also has an open business model which allows corporation with non-public schools and business partners. Commercials users can pay-per-booking or opt for a yearly flat fee that includes both the location, advise, opportunity to borrow equipment and invitation to various of events.

One of this business model goals is to create mutual beneficial partnerships with public and/or private schools. FabLab Middelfart have developed a pioneer program to proliferate competencies to the schools – the program consists of 3 networks for competence development. The first focuses on ways to teach and integrate design thinking and how to use the FabLab’s facilities for education. The second to spread the interest and competencies in using equipments like the 3D printers, laser cutter or vinyl cutter. Finally, the last focuses on way to meaningfully integrate programming.

Fab Lab Middelfart is also negotiating to partner up with the FabLab@school initiative! Fab Labs in Silkeborg and Vejle are already involved in the FabLab@School program.