Théo Chauvat, an apprentice engineer from Saint-Laurent-de-la-Plaine near Angers, France is currently working in the Creative Spark Enterprise FabLab to learn more about various industrial processes that he had not previously encountered. Théo found the Enterprise FabLab through FabLab Network for this apprenticeship. He was looking for a FabLab with high quality professional equipment that works with professional manufacturing.

This visit was a key part of his professional development, offering him the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies such as SLS printing and water-jet cutting.

Théo’s visit to the FabLab comes as he nears the completion of his apprenticeship with Safran Electrical & Power, where he focuses on continuous improvement and quality. His role at Safran involves change management, project management, and an approach to ensuring quality and innovation.

Prior to his current role, Théo gained industry experience through a placement at ALFI Fimec, a mechanical design office, and as a milling turner at TourMéca. His apprenticeship with Exprezis is specialising in additive manufacturing.

In addition to his technical pursuits, Théo is focused on improving his English language skills, recognising its importance in his career development. Theo’s main project in the FabLab is to support the development of the FabLab Wiki, which is an interactive guide for members to understand the FabLab equipment and to begin digital fabrication.

His time at Creative Spark has been instrumental in achieving his goals along with allowing him to experiment with advanced industrial processes and further his personal and professional goals. Théo’s final project is to implement his learnings at the FabLab and apply these to prototyping a scale model airplane and a remote-controlled car.

Théo’s plan is to use a range of machines from the FabLab including 3D printing to construct the frame and the electronic workbench to mill a bespoke printed circuit board (PCB) and solder all the circuit components to programme the fully operational motorised model.