Championing technology projects in Revelstoke is a priority for the city under the Tech 3.0 strategy. This includes building tech capacity to support on-going business retention and expansion, investors and emergent opportunities that will help diversify and support long-term sustainable growth.
The Revelstoke Idea Factory is a local fabrication lab, established in 2018 in partnership with the Community Economic Development division of the City of Revelstoke. It promotes innovation and collaboration, as well as digital manufacturing technology, tools and skills training for Revelstoke to learn, develop and commercialize new marketable products.
Meet-ups at the Idea Factory are an integral part of the city’s strategy, offering tech entrepreneurs and workers a place to network, collaborate and drive the future of Revelstoke’s economy.
William Clack is Technology Strategy Coordinator for the City of Revelstoke and currently staffs the Revelstoke Idea Factory, taking care of the day-to-day operations. Clack chatted with the Revelstoke Mountaineer about the machines, design software and experience required for membership at The Idea Factory.
“The current goal of the Revelstoke Idea Factory is to standardize procedures and make the Revelstoke Idea Factory as user friendly as possible,” Clack said. “The Idea Factory is now set up so that users can show up without knowledge of process, and without the need for assistance by support staff.”
Revelstoke Idea Factory classes and training opportunities are aimed at connecting Revelstoke’s diverse community of makers, tech workers and anyone interested in digital manufacturing technology. A class in the spring on laser cutting allowed participants to learn how to create art, enhance their business and speed up workflow.
“The laser cutter can engrave on metal, plastic, wood, pretty much any flat sheet,” Clack explained. “The 3D Printers are capable of using an array of endless filaments from carbon fibre to wood chips. The machine is automated, with all types of filaments that we buy downloaded in the machine. In many cases it is as simple as inserting your USB with your 3D part design and hitting print.”
There are also classes and camps aimed at equipping Revelstoke’s youth with the creative and technical skills to be the makers of the future. Kids are introduced to engaging, real-life problems faced by local businesses, their community and the environment. The instructors use STEM learning principles (Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Communication) to understand problems, find solutions and turn ideas into reality with computer-assisted design and 3D printing. Kiddovate camp was recently held between Aug. 28 and Sept. 1 for kids ages seven to 11.
In 2021, the World Health Organization sounded the alarm after determining that health care workers were facing a critical shortage of personal protective equipment. Two Idea Factory board members worked with community volunteers to produce a 3D printed, low-cost prototype of a partly-reusable face shield medical staff could use when treating patients during the pandemic.
“The purpose behind the Idea Factory has always been to house machines mainly for prototyping and conceptual use,” Clack said of the items produced at the Idea Factory. “There are a few businesses in town prototyping mechanical plastic parts at the Idea Factory but most are not for final use.”
Have a product idea you want to prototype, but don’t have the time or the inclination to do it yourself? The Revelstoke Idea Factory can also help with Hire-a-Maker. Whatever your dream is, their team will be available to help guide you through the process from design, to prototype, to final product.
“A variety of design software options are available including AutoCAD, SolidWorks and Fusion for solo operators,” Clack said. “A great place for early adopters to start is by downloading parts from a website called Tinkercad, a database of parts that people have already created. Alternatively, if you have a 3D scanner you can scan a part that already exists.”
The Revelstoke Idea Factory is on floor two of the Tourist Information Centre at 301 Victoria St.
Clack is available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 – 7 p.m. to meet and help out early adopters prior to membership. Contact to arrange a time at [email protected]
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