University Of Tulsa Acquires Fab Lab Tulsa, Looks To Expand

The University of Tulsa is the new owner of Fab Lab at 5th and Lewis-- the biggest hub in Tulsa for everything from 3D printing to woodworking.

The new ownership is expected to help the center expand. 

The Fab Lab, or fabrication lab, is open to anyone in the community looking to expand their skills and create new things.

And this partnership will give students and faculty more chances to take advantage.

There is a buzz inside Tulsa’s Fab Lab, and it’s not just the hum from all the equipment bringing ideas to life.

“Fab Lab Tulsa is a nonprofit maker space; we focus on digital fabrication tools," said Fab Lab Tulsa Director Nathan Pritchett. 

Pritchett said that includes equipment like 2D and 3D printing, laser printing, commercial-grade sewing machines, and a lot more.

He said the University of Tulsa’s acquisition of the center just makes sense.

“It's a really big deal, we’re excited," he said. "We’ve had a decade-long partnership with the University of Tulsa, not just with students, but with civic engagement here in the neighborhood and north Tulsa."

“It's a lot of fun," said Mike McLane. "It's a great place to be, and they’ve got great equipment.”

Mike McLane is a Fab Lab member.

He utilizes the equipment at the center all the time to work on crafting projects like a guitar amp.

“You pay a few bucks a month and come down here and play," he said.

Mona Chamberlin with the university said lots of TU staff, alumni and students are already members at Fab Lab, and students learning engineering, art, or even entrepreneurship can create really cool things here.

"They can come down and have opportunities to take advantage of the resources that are here.”

That way, ideas can continue to blossom in this center.

Fab Lab Tulsa is one of about 1800 centers of its kind around the world, chartered by MIT.

Leaders said staffing won't be affected by the new ownership, but they do hope to expand the center in the future.