Ob.i LAB: creativity at the heart of Montpellier-Sète University Institute of Technology
Inspired by Anglo-Saxon Fab Labs Ob.i LAB[1],was inaugurated atthe Montpellier-Sète University Institute of Technology (IUT) in September 2017. The IUT opens the doors to this unique facility at the university and, more broadly, in Montpellier. Guided tour.
The Ob.i LAB[1] recently moved into a space surrounded by pine trees on Avenue d'Occitanie, on the Montpellier campus ofthe Montpellier-Sète University Institute of Technology. Building D of the institute now houses the University of Montpellier's first creative and digital space, covering no less than 300 m2. "Since 2010, Fab Labs have been developing all over the world. In France, every major city has a digital creation workshop open to the general public, where visitors can use machines that were originally reserved for the industrial world," explains Alexandre Lalanne, busy in the Ob.i LAB "manufacturing" area, making a bright red nut on a 3D printer.
Coworking and friendliness
A year ago, the 25-year-old mechanical engineering graduate was recruited to become the coordinator of the IUT's new high-tech creative hub. This was a project that Philippe Combette, project manager at the institute, had been working on for several years. Open to IUT students and staff, as well as external professionals, Ob.i LAB aims to be a place that is particularly conducive to bringing ideas to life. In its friendly and relaxed coworking space, inspiring decorative objects made on site sit alongside comfortable sofas, among other things. "As training courses are particularly compartmentalized within IUTs, we felt it was necessary to create a welcoming place on campus for exchange and work, bringing together students from all our courses. At Ob.i LAB, they can now come together around a common goal: creating projects," explains Matteo Valenza, director of the Montpellier-Sète University Institute of Technology, who sees Ob.i iLAB as a new gateway for businesses to the heart of the university.
Design and prototyping of objects
During peak hours—between noon and 2 p.m.—many IUT students gather at the Ob.i LAB "manufacturing" space to work on their tutored projects. These projects involve creating an object at the request of a specific company, which will be evaluated as part of the second year of the DUT (University Technical Diploma) program. "I encourage each student to share their creative project with me as freely as possible and show them the technical possibilities offered by Obi. LAB to bring it to life, " explains Alexandre. Responsible for visitor safety, the technician trains them in the use of all the equipment in the hall (oscilloscope, multimeters, generator, laser cutter, mini-milling machine, etc.), which will soon be equipped with a new space dedicated to video creation. While giving visitors free rein to their creativity, the facilitator supervises the various stages of creating objects (mini-rockets, animal trophies, remote-controlled electronic locks, etc.), some of which now proudly adorn the walls of this unique space at the university. Co-financed by the Occitanie region and the IUT, the creation of the Ob.i LAB hall is a local first. It is an innovative concept of a high-tech, freely accessible digital hall that is likely to be replicated in the future in other parts of the UM where stimulating students, whether budding or established creators, is a priority.
[1] UOb for object – i for intelligent – LAB for laboratory
More info:
Obi. LAB is open free of charge to students, IUT staff, and professionals from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is located in Building D of the Montpellier-Sète IUT.
The IUT as seen by a student
Hugo Pietri, 19, second-year student studying for a technical degree in physical measurements
"Currently in my second year of a technical degree in physical measurements, I hope to enroll in an engineering school once I graduate and then work in the aeronautics field or, why not, in aerospace. I often come to Ob.i LAB in my spare time, and I'm about to start working with three classmates on the creation of an 'artificial horizon'. This instrument measures the orientation and inclination of aircraft (cargo planes, airliners, helicopters, etc.) and transmits this essential data to pilots. Working a few hours a week, we hope to have our prototype ready by the end of the academic year."
The IUT in figures
- 2,300 students
- 7 university degrees in technology
- 20 professional licenses
- 90% of training courses offered on a work-study basis
ISO 9001 standard: 4 certified professional licenses
Since June, the ABF, GASP, GEEB, and MMIC professional licenses fromthe Montpellier-Sète University Institute of Technology (IUT) have been ISO 9001-v 2015 certified. This is recognition by AFNOR of the quality, design, implementation, and evaluation of these programs and the work accomplished by the institute's support services (reception, information, communication, student support). "This certification recognizes the exemplary commitment shown by the institute's administrative staff and teaching teams, who have worked hard to bring this quality initiative, launched almost six years ago, to fruition, "says the institute's director, Matteo Valenza, who hopes to obtain certification for at least three other IUT professional licenses in 2019.