From the first idea to the prototype
Ersa supports Lab³ with soldering equipment
The vision of the Darmstadt-based Lab³ is to offer a public space with access to professional equipment and an exchange opportunity among those interested in technology. The non-profit association with about 60 members – from pupils to trainees, students and doctoral students to pensioners – supports labspace start-ups in technological matters as a cooperation partner of the technology and start-up center “HUB31”.
The close cooperation between the two organizations is also the reason why not only club members and student groups, but also young companies of the HUB31 and even external companies use the equipment of the Lab³ and profit from the know-how of other users. This is a big advantage for start-ups in particular, as they can further develop their first idea and turn it into a prototype.
As far as soldering tools are concerned, the makers have recently acquired extensive Ersa equipment, including the i-CON NANO and i-CON VARIO 2 soldering stations, the EASY ARM 2 soldering fume extraction system, gas soldering sets for mobile work and a HR 100 rework system. In addition to the electrical engineering laboratory, which also houses 3D printers and laser cutters, the makers also have the natural sciences, engineering and formal sciences (digital technologies) divisions, as well as a small production facility with corresponding equipment. The Lab³ members demonstrated what can be achieved by cooperation between different areas at the Healthcare & IoT Makerthon of Telekom and Merck, where they took first place with their development of the prototype “VED4MS”. With the help of this portable measuring device, “relapses” in multiple sclerosis can be predicted.