Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/66658
substantial warehouse footprint, plus packaging and shipping. A new technology — water transfer printing — puts intricate designs on film applied to complex-shaped plastic components (imagine wood grain wrapping irregular dimensions). Diverse markets include lawn and garden; furniture/ requiring specialized equipment and expertise. Product and invention development are keys to growth contract furniture; OEMs, dispensers and delivery systems, and point-of-purchase, plus direct shipping to distribution centers. For companies that distribute nationally, such as WPI, it helps to be centrally located in a strong manufacturing area, in order to get product out the door without having to ship it elsewhere. Fox Valley Technical College' another resource for businesses. The Fab Lab is an innovation center where technical and non-technical people rapidly translate ideas and creativity into reality. FVTC partnered with Massachusetts Institute of Technology more than five years ago to launch special digital fabrication laboratories of off-the- shelf, industrial-grade fabrication and electronics tools. Manufacturers and innovators can evaluate or use s Fab Lab in Grand Chute is rapid prototyping technology in the lab to quickly fabricate a scale model of an idea, part or assembly based on a 3-D digital model of the object. Traditional prototyping can be complex, tedious and expensive, in manufacturing and the state economy. Manufacturers and inventors can meet with FVTC Fab Lab innovation experts who support all product or invention development processes, from idea and design through testing and commercialization. A full network of development and fabrication partners is available to augment such efforts. Manufacturers also face critical shortages of advanced technical skills, and FVTC Fab Lab corporate partners such as Grainger and Time Warner Cable have recognized specialized skills development of Fab Lab experiences to sponsor special outreach programs for area schools and communities. The Fab Lab was awarded a $900,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to establish a USA Digital Fabrication Learning Community, which will integrate networks of digital fabrication resources, experts, and best practices into a consolidated system to drive Next Generation Manufacturing technician development across Wisconsin and the country. Jerry Eyler, FVTC executive dean of manufacturing, sums " F it up: "We must all creatively integrate and leverage the best technologies, skills and best practices available for Wisconsin manufacturers to stay competitive in the global economy. www.insightonmfg.com May 2012 • INSIGHT on Manufacturing | 21