Community Supported Manufacturing

MicroTrac Challenge

We have recently shown the initial test drive of LifeTrac Prototype II. The 3D model in Blender corresponds exactly to the machine built – the point being that the models in Blender are useful as actual design drawings from which others can replicate...

Open Source 150 Ton Hole Puncher

Our infrastructure for flexible fabrication along the lines of the Open Source Fab Lab, RepLab, is evolving nicely. We reported recently on Prototype I the heavy duty, open source, drill press, and here we are reporting on Prototype I deployment of our...

Resource Development Professional

Our strategy for supporting the development of the Global Village Construction Set is threefold: (1), crowd funding methods, (2) sales from products, and (3) standard non-profit sector fund-raising. We have been demonstrating $1500-$2000 monthly budgets...

Homebrew Industrial Revolution, Political Ponerology, and Kymatica

Kevin Carson, Research Asociate at the Center for a Stateless Society, just published a book called The Homebrew Industrial Revolution: A Low Overhead Manifesto. This is a progressive review of industrial history, culminating in the present option of...

Open Source Torch Table

Lawrence has finalized the open source torch table design, after 11 days at Factor e Farm. Today, we are preparing the workshop space and he’s putting together the frame. Our goal is to complete the prototype in the stated 30 day period. The design...

Perspectives on Local Economic Power

Here’s something to think about regarding our recent refocus on locally produced fuel and steam engines at Factor e Farm. Energy is slave labor without the slaves. At Factor e Farm, doomsday peak oil scenarios are not particularly threatening because...

Solar Power Generator Update

Today, someone passed on an important link. The Swiss company Nolaris is building a solar concentrator power system that matches the Factor e Farm Solar Power Generator very closely. In particular – both systems use flat mirrors in a linear fresnel...

Factor e Live Distillations – Part 10 – Community Supported Production

This episode covers the basic economic model of Factor e Farm. It is Community Supported Production (CSP) with two parts: Manufacturing (CSM) and Agriculture (CSA). It is permaculture and permafacture in one. We’re a replicable, vertically integrated,...