Xinfab
Xinfab is a non-profit FabLab in Shanghai's Jing'an District providing shared access to 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, and other prototyping tools to individual makers, startups, and educational institutions through memberships, workshops, and corporate training.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersShanghai, China
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Xinfab does
Xinfab is a non-profit digital fabrication laboratory (FabLab) located inside the DoArt Space creative hub in Jing'an District, Shanghai, providing shared access to professional-grade prototyping equipment and a community-driven learning environment for makers, startups, and educational institutions. Founded in 2014 by Brazilian entrepreneur Lucio Pentagna Guimaraes — who built the lab's first 3D printer from scratch — the organization operates a portfolio of services including 3D printing (DIY to full-service tiers at 2–8 RMB/gram across materials such as PLA, ABS, nylon, resin, and metals), laser cutting (35–95 RMB/hour), CNC milling, digital sewing, and soldering. Following a relocation and reopening at DoArt Space in 2018, XinFab transitioned in 2019 to an entirely volunteer-run model, opening only on volunteer-availability days, with all members required to complete training before using equipment independently.
The business model is hybrid membership-and-usage-based: customers purchase daily passes (50 RMB), limited monthly credit packages (180 RMB), or unlimited monthly (800 RMB) or half-year (2000 RMB) memberships granting 24/7 access after mandatory training; revenue is supplemented by tiered workshop fees (30 RMB/hour introductory training; 100–400 RMB per 2–4 hour session; 2,000–4,000 RMB for intensive multi-session courses), one-off corporate/private workshops, and a sponsorship and donations program supported by DOART Space, OpenMake/Opendesk, Autodesk, Dassault Systèmes, Dfrobot, Qubea, Adeo Group, MDD Enterprise, and RenewMaterial. Customer segments span individual makers and hobbyists, startups and entrepreneurs needing rapid prototyping, educational institutions, and commercial companies seeking custom workshops and team-building experiences.
Xinfab's positioning rests on community governance with democratic decision-making, MIT FabLab network affiliation providing access to open-source design content, and a curated instructor roster covering jewelry design (Rhinoceros 3D), graphic design, electronics, and 3D printer building. The organization has no disclosed headcount, no revenue figures, no institutional funding, and no AI/ML capability; its operating model effectively caps scalability at the volunteer capacity of two days per week, making the enterprise more accurately characterized as a sustained community initiative than a growth-stage business.
Xinfab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Xinfab
- Legal name
- Xinfab
- Website
- https://xinfab.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Xinfab is a non-profit FabLab in Shanghai's Jing'an District providing shared access to 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, and other prototyping tools to individual makers, startups, and educational institutions through memberships, workshops, and corporate training.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Xinfab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Fabrication Services / Maker Space
- akta.pro primary industry
- Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs (EDAMADAH), CNC Plasma/Laser Cutting & Automated Fabrication Training (EDAOADAH), Additive Manufacturing Education & Academic Programs (IMAAAJAB)
Keywords
Where Xinfab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shanghai
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Xinfab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Members pay for access to equipment and workshop credits. Options include daily passes, limited monthly credits, and unlimited access memberships ranging from 1-12 months.
- Machine Usage Fees: Pay-per-use charges for 3D printing (per gram) and laser cutting (per hour). Three service tiers: 100% DIY, with staff assistance, or full service.
- Workshop Revenue: Fees charged for attending workshops ranging from basic 2-hour introductions (100-200 RMB) to intensive multi-session courses (2000+ RMB). Private workshops for corporate teams also available.
- Sponsorships and Donations: Non-profit organization sustained through sponsors providing equipment, materials, software, and monetary donations. Fundraising campaigns launched to cover lab expenses and improvements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Daily Pass - Single day access with limited usage |
| Subscription | Monthly | Limited Monthly Credits - 180 RMB credit package |
| Subscription | Monthly | Unlimited Monthly Access - Full 24/7 lab access |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Unlimited Half-Year Access - 6-month full access |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 3D Printing DIY - Self-operated printing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 3D Printing with Assistance |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 3D Printing Full Service |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Laser Cutter DIY |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Laser Cutter with Assistance |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Training Workshops |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Xinfab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Xinfab operates a community-driven FabLab in Shanghai providing affordable access to professional-grade digital fabrication equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC mills, and welding tools. Members access equipment via daily passes, monthly credits, or unlimited subscriptions, with pay-per-use rates for 3D printing (per gram) and laser cutting (per hour). The lab also offers hands-on workshops covering 3D printing, laser cutting, jewelry design, CAD software, and coding for individuals, startups, educational institutions, and corporate teams.
Product overview
Xinfab is a non-profit FabLab in Shanghai offering a physical maker space with equipment access and educational workshops. The core offerings include 3D printing services (PLA, ABS, and specialty materials like nylon, resin, metals, and ceramics), laser cutting and engraving, CNC milling, sewing, and soldering services. Equipment access is available through tiered membership plans or pay-per-use. The workshop program covers digital fabrication skills including jewelry design, graphic design software (Illustrator, Photoshop), 3D modeling (Rhinoceros 3D, Fusion 360, SketchUp), coding (HTML/CSS, Processing), and hands-on maker projects like drone and 3D printer building. Business services include prototype production and educational partnerships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 3D Printing Services 3D printing services using PLA, ABS, and other materials including nylon, resin, aluminum, gold, silver, and ceramics. Offered at three service levels: DIY (2 RMB/gram), with staff help (4 RMB/gram), or full service (8 RMB/gram). For startups, individual makers, and companies needing prototyping and short-run production.
- Laser Cutting Services Laser cutting and engraving on materials such as wood and acrylic using a universal laser cutter (max 600mm x 300mm). DIY rate is 35 RMB/hour; with staff assistance is 95 RMB/hour. For makers, designers, and companies needing precision cutting and engraving.
- CNC Milling Services CNC milling services available for precision manufacturing and prototyping purposes. For makers, designers, and businesses requiring subtractive manufacturing.
- Digital Fabrication Workshops Hands-on workshops teaching skills including 3D printing, laser cutting, jewelry design (Rhinoceros 3D), Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, coding (HTML/CSS, Processing, Fusion 360, SketchUp), and drone/3D printer building. Targeted at individual makers, students, and corporate teams.
- Membership Access Tiered membership plans providing access to FabLab equipment and facilities: daily pass (50 RMB), limited monthly credits (180 RMB), unlimited monthly access (800 RMB), and unlimited half-year access (2000 RMB). For makers, designers, and entrepreneurs needing recurring access to fabrication tools.
- Business Prototyping Services Production of prototypes and product design services for startups, non-profits, and commercial companies. For businesses needing rapid prototyping and low-volume production runs.
- Private Workshop Services On-demand custom workshops for teams or companies, tailored to specific learning objectives and team building purposes. For corporate clients seeking private digital fabrication training (e.g., hands-on 3D printing and laser cutting).
- Education Partnership Programs Educational workshops ranging from half-day to long-term programs focusing on creativity, technology, innovation, and production methods like 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC milling. For universities, schools, and training programs.
Quantifiable outcome
- Open 2 days per week with volunteer availability; 24/7 access available for unlimited membership holders who complete all training
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Xinfab
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Xinfab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Xinfab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- DOART SpacecoreCreative space that hosts XinFab's lab location, providing the physical infrastructure and roof for the FabLab. Essential hosting partner that enabled XinFab's reopening after relocation.
- RenewMaterialminorDonated materials and monetary contributions to support the lab's operations and materials supply.
- MDD EnterpriseminorDonated equipment and hand tools for the fabrication laboratory, enhancing the tools available to members.
- OPENMAKEcoreChinese counterpart of British open-source furniture company Opendesk. Donated materials and collaborates on workshops and projects. Danny Kuo works at OpenMake and volunteers at XinFab. Anne Filson and Gary Rohrbacher from AtFAB (OpenMake licensed designers) conduct meetups and talks at XinFab.
- Adeo GroupminorSponsored new hand tools for the laboratory, supporting member access to quality fabrication equipment.
- AutodeskcoreSupplies Autodesk software (including Fusion 360) to XinFab, enabling members to use professional-grade 3D modeling software for their projects and workshops.
- Dassault SystèmescoreProvides SolidWorks software licensing for the FabLab's public computers, supporting CAD and 3D modeling work.
- DfrobotminorDonated a DreamMaker 3D printer to the laboratory, expanding the equipment available for member use.
- QubeaminorSupplied a 3D printer for the lab's equipment inventory, enabling vertical high 3D prints.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Xinfab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Beijing Makerspace: Community fablab in Beijing providing access to 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC, and other fabrication equipment to members and offering workshops. Direct community-equivalent peer differing primarily by city.
- Hacklab Toronto: Community-run hackerspace in Toronto providing shared workspace, fabrication tools, and skill-share workshops to members. Comparable volunteer-led community model; differs by North American geography.
- Shenzhen Open Innovation Lab (SZOIL): Shenzhen-based maker and open-source hardware lab focused on digital fabrication, hardware entrepreneurship, and maker education. Comparable in equipment stack and educational mission; differs by geography (Shenzhen vs. Shanghai) and stronger industrial/manufacturing orientation.
Broad incumbents
- Fab Foundation: Parent organization of the global MIT FabLab network of which XinFab is a node. Sets curriculum, equipment, and operating standards; comparable as the network steward rather than a direct site-level competitor.
- Autodesk Pier 9 Workshop (now Autodesk Technology Centers): Autodesk's in-house digital fabrication workshop in San Francisco used to showcase manufacturing tools and to support resident artists and startups. Comparable equipment base and educational mission; backed by Autodesk's software resources rather than community dues.
Direct peers
- FabLab Barcelona: One of the original and most prolific FabLabs worldwide, offering digital fabrication equipment access, training, and community programs under the same MIT-affiliated network. A close operational peer at a larger international scale.
- Noisebridge: Volunteer-run community hackerspace/makerspace in San Francisco offering shared tools and workshop areas. Comparable in non-profit, volunteer-governed operating model; less focus on structured commercial workshops.
- XinCheJian: Shanghai-based community maker space founded around the same era as XinFab, also offering access to fabrication equipment, workshops, and a member community. Direct peer in both geography and not-for-profit community fablab model.
- Artisan's Asylum: Large community makerspace in Boston, MA offering tool access, workshops, and classes across woodworking, metalwork, digital fabrication, and textiles. Comparable community-membership model with significantly larger facility footprint.
Others
- Opendesk / OpenMake: Open-source furniture company whose Shanghai counterpart (OpenMake) is a core XinFab partner and whose designs (AtFAB) are demonstrated in XinFab workshops. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct service competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Xinfab social profiles
Digital presenceXinfab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Xinfab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Xinfab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Xinfab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Xinfab
What does Xinfab do?
Xinfab operates a community-driven FabLab in Shanghai providing affordable access to professional-grade digital fabrication equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC mills, and welding tools. Members access equipment via daily passes, monthly credits, or unlimited subscriptions, with pay-per-use rates for 3D printing (per gram) and laser cutting (per hour). The lab also offers hands-on workshops covering 3D printing, laser cutting, jewelry design, CAD software, and coding for individuals, startups, educational institutions, and corporate teams.
Is Xinfab a public or private company?
Xinfab is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Xinfab founded?
Xinfab was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Xinfab based?
Xinfab is headquartered in Shanghai, China, in the Asia region.
How does Xinfab make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are machine Usage Fees, workshop Revenue and sponsorships and Donations.
Who are Xinfab's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Beijing Makerspace, Hacklab Toronto and Shenzhen Open Innovation Lab (SZOIL). Broad incumbents are Fab Foundation and Autodesk Pier 9 Workshop (now Autodesk Technology Centers). Direct peers are FabLab Barcelona, Noisebridge, XinCheJian and Artisan's Asylum. Opendesk / OpenMake is listed as an others.
Does Xinfab have an API?
No public API is recorded for Xinfab.
What industry is Xinfab in?
Xinfab's product category is Digital Fabrication Services / Maker Space. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMADAC, Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios), with a secondary code of EDAMADAH, 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs.