This weekend, the Madrid Mini Maker Faire will draw a mix of makers, instructors, businesses and curious onlookers to Spain’s capital city for workshops, exhibitions, presentations and more, celebrating the creative DIY culture. As always, 3D printing will be a significant presence at the event, and for one company, this particular Maker Faire is even more reason to celebrate than others. During the faire this weekend, WASP will open their first hub outside Italy, bringing their open source technology and sustainable DIY philosophy to Spain for the first time.
The Madrid WASP Hub will be run by Gianluca “Owen” Pugliese, who has worked with WASP to develop the LightExtruder, which he uses for his stunning 3D printed light images. The Hub will, among other things, showcase and sell furniture and decor made with WASP 3D printers.
“On January I moved to Madrid, and after few months I came up with the idea of the WASP point in Spain, the first one ever,” said Pugliese. “I started planning the project with (WASP founder) Massimo Moretti and Roberto Montesi, WASP sales manager. Together we started thinking about the place structure and organization. In the meanwhile, I kept on producing with my WASP 20 40 Turbo, taking part to fairs and events all along the Country, getting in touch with the interest and the knowledge of this field.”
The response to his projects was enthusiastic, encouraging Pugliese to go ahead with the idea to open a WASP hub in the country. WASP, in particular, is an ideal company for the location because of their clay 3D printing technology, which resonates strongly with the Spanish people, according to Pugliese.
“In Spain is better to bet on clay because of a strong and rooted tradition in ceramic,” he said. “For example, I created a software able to generate a vase starting from plant details and data: the flower plans its own vase, the most suitable one; this is the idea. When I presented the project in a fair, the emeritus king and present Madrid mayor came to see it.”
The Madrid hub is going to be the first of many, in both Italy and abroad, according to WASP. It won’t be just a shop, says Pugliese; it will be the official supply point for WASP in Spain. Visitors will be able to see WASP 3D printers as well as a comprehensive selection of items the printers have produced. The hub will also act as a resource for those who want to learn more about 3D printing and maker culture in general. Pugliese says he plans to offer demonstrations of WASP printers, as well as organize clay 3D printing courses. He hopes to collaborate with research centers, universities, and related companies to create a true Spanish 3D printing center.
“We want the 3d-printing to make a qualitative leap: now it is quite common in Spain, but not at high levels,” Pugliese added. “And then, with our work we would like to persuade people to open new WASP Points, in Spain and abroad.”
Discuss this topic further in the 3D Printed Spanish Hub over at 3DPB.com.
Below, you can watch the soon-to-open hub transform from an empty space to a hip workshop:
