From idea to implementation: Polytechnic opens four specialized research and manufacturing laboratories at Fablab

ANNA ZYHANSHYNA, Lviv Polytechnic CENTER for COMMUNICATION
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Promotion of science and innovation is one of the important areas of activity of Tech StartUp School, Lviv Polytechnic. For this purpose, StartUp School plans to open several specialized research and manufacturing laboratories at Fablab. Professor Nazar Podolchak, head of the Department of Administrative and Financial Management, Lviv Polytechnic, director of the Tech StartUp School and SID City Science Park of the University, tells more about the project.

– At Tech StartUp School there is a startup laboratory Fablab, which we continue to equip and improve. We are currently working with the USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) grant program, within the framework of which it is planned to open four specialized research and manufacturing laboratories at Fablab. High-quality equipment will be installed there, thanks to which it will be possible to complete tasks faster and with higher productivity. This is really important for the successful implementation of new ideas. Our first research and production laboratory at Fablab will specialize in metalworking. We also plan to create an inclusive laboratory for people with disabilities, a robotics laboratory and a laboratory that will specialize in the repair and development of railway transport, says Nazar Podolchak.

The total amount of project financing is about UAH 15 million. We plan to purchase a 3D printer, laser, CNC milling machine and other equipment for the needs of research and manufacturing laboratories.

– The Tech StartUp School team has been working with startups for many years. We are especially glad when creative and talented people who want to bring their own ideas to life join us. For the implementation of startups, we need equipment, with the help of which it is possible to perform prototyping or start small-scale, and later multi-series production. It is almost impossible to do it without the use of equipment. Sometimes you need to do some research to see if your ideas work in practice. Thanks to this, you can find out what works and what doesn’t. It is the presence of modern equipment in the laboratories that creates the conditions for production and makes it possible to manufacture unique objects as quickly as possible, – adds Nazar Podolchak.