On June 9, 2012, the RF constituent entities Selection Committee for subsidizing the budget of constituent entities of the Russian Federation in 2012 summed up its results to finance activities carried out by RF constituent entities under the state support of small and medium-sized businesses.
Application form of Innovational Technopark “Idea” was also among the winning applications received from all the Russia. The concept of a Network of Youth Innovation Creativity Center was presented to the attention of the Committee by Technopark and Investment Development Agency of the Republic of Tatarstan – Authorized Body for cooperation with the RF Ministry of Economic Development and further implementation of the announced projects in 2012.
The concept means the creation of prototyping centers (FabLabs) at the site of Technopark “Idea” and also in children’s centers across the republic.
The main efficiency criterion of Prototyping centers – involvement of as many young people as possible in the research activity, providing them with the possibility for checking and commercializing their innovative ideas. In this regard, each Prototyping center should be considered as one of the centers network existing in the entire territory of the Russian Federation.
Advanced technology (3D design, 3D production) provides the youth with “production” areas with a view to see and touch their ideas in the form of prototype.
The Center provides a set of computer-controlled devices (tools) for manufacturing multi-size and multi-material parts, democratizing production technology, previously available only in the high-priced mass production.
Commercial activities may be incubated in the Centers, but it should not interfere with public access, it should develop more outside the Centers than inside it, in cooperation with inventors, research laboratories and innovation infrastructure.
The Center’s Flexible Production Facilities may include:
- sheet material laser cutting device;
- numerical control machine tool – turning, milling, grinding, etc.;
- rapid prototyping, three-dimensional plastics polymerization;
- production of simple printed circuit card;
- other analogues equipment, electrically operated hand tool;
- software for rapid prototype design.
Members have access to equipment and necessary consumables, but the most important thing is access to experts and the Centers network. That is, the Centers create an innovation ecosystem (partners’ network) and contribute more to the development of innovative thinking and innovation promotion than simply render a service and training.
Generally, FabLabs are located at schools, in research or innovation centers or in independent structures. FabLabs are funded through the external source – or the budget, or structures at the place, and their self-repayment is still the exception rather than the rule. Most of FabLabs have internal personnel, and do not have outsourced staff. Optimum area of FabLabs is actually equal to 100 m2. In practice, the capacity of FabLab is about 25 persons per day (directly using the machines).
FabLabs and the world analogues centers work experience shows that their successful operation and the role in engaging the youth in the innovation activities are definitely depend on the Center’s control team, enthusiasm for the youth work and innovation orientation.
The announced competition was focused on searching of such teams in the RF regions and on promoting their activities.