# Summary of #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion (Feb 6, 2009)

• A significant development was announced regarding a 4,000 sq ft space in Austin becoming available for a community fabrication lab, with the space owner previously having invested in an Austin TechShop project before realizing TechShop's business model wasn't viable.

• The participants discussed various funding models for community fabrication spaces, contrasting the "health club model" (membership fees) with alternatives like contract engineering work (~$20k projects to fund operations) and government/NSF grants similar to how FabLab sustains itself.

• Dan Heeks' open source CAD/CAM software development was highlighted, particularly his recent work on area clearance and arc pocketing functionality, showing progress in accessible fabrication software.

• The conversation critiqued documentation practices in the FabLab community, noting that most documentation consists of "random Flickr photos" rather than systematic knowledge capture, and expressing a desire to improve this in any new Austin facility.

• Inventory management for small parts (washers, fasteners, etc.) was identified as a practical challenge for community fabrication spaces, with discussion about tracking systems that wouldn't burden users with excessive paperwork.

• The group discussed potential business models for the new space, including renting small private work areas (10x6 ft rooms) while maintaining shared access to larger equipment like the MechMate CNC machine.