47 Workshop

47 Workshop
Name	47 Workshop
Founded	2009
Founder	Alex Mercer
Location	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Type	Fabrication studio
Focus	Advanced prototyping, digital fabrication, metalworking, robotics

47 Workshop is an independent fabrication studio and makerspace located in Detroit, Michigan, that specializes in advanced prototyping, small-batch manufacturing, and interdisciplinary design. The studio operates at the nexus of industrial design, art, and engineering, supporting clients and collaborators across sectors such as product development, architecture, film, and automotive restoration. Its activities span rapid prototyping, CNC machining, metal fabrication, composite layup, and robotic automation.

History

Founded in 2009 by Alex Mercer, the studio emerged during a period of revitalization in Detroit linked with initiatives such as the Motor City Spring movement and the expansion of the Maker Faire network. Early activity intersected with the revival of nearby institutions including the Henry Ford Museum and the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the studio became a resource for innovators associated with the College for Creative Studies and Wayne State University. In the 2010s, the space expanded its equipment roster and client base, working with actors from the Independent Film Project scene, restorers connected to the Antique Automobile Club of America, and designers participating in events like the North American International Auto Show. Funding and visibility were influenced by partnerships with foundations such as the Kresge Foundation and programs connected to the National Endowment for the Arts.

Throughout its history the workshop contributed to regional manufacturing initiatives alongside organizations like Detroit Manufacturing Systems and collaborated with local incubators including TechTown Detroit and Grand Circus. The studio adapted to shifts in supply chains prompted by global events such as the 2008 financial crisis aftermath and the COVID-19 pandemic, when many fabrication studios pivoted to producing medical equipment components and PPE designs advocated by groups including Get Us PPE and Open Source Medical Supplies.

Facilities and Technology

The physical facility houses a diverse set of equipment used in contemporary fabrication practices. Key assets include multi-axis CNC mills influenced by manufacturers such as Haas Automation and DMG Mori, waterjet cutters comparable to units from Omax Corporation, laser cutters in the style of Epilog Laser, and large-format 3D printers akin to systems developed by Stratasys and Ultimaker. Metalworking capacity features welding stations using techniques championed by institutions like the American Welding Society, sheet metal brakes, and plasma cutters. Composite fabrication follows protocols familiar to practitioners at Boeing and SpaceX for layup and autoclave-style curing.

Electronics and robotics labs provide access to microcontroller ecosystems including Arduino and Raspberry Pi, and motion platforms drawing on developments from ABB and KUKA. Fabrication workflows integrate CAD/CAM software such as Autodesk Fusion 360, SolidWorks, and Rhino 3D, while digital asset management aligns with tools used by studios like IDEO and Frog Design.

Projects and Services

47 Workshop offers project services spanning concept development, rapid prototyping, small-batch production, restoration, and custom fabrication. Typical projects have included concept vehicles for firms exhibiting at the SEMA Show, set pieces for productions associated with the Detroit Film Theatre and independent studios, and bespoke furniture pieces for clients linked to the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. The studio has produced components for startups appearing in Y Combinator-style demo cycles and for inventors presenting at CES.

Service lines encompass CAD modeling, CNC machining, vacuum forming, resin casting inspired by practices at Industrial Light & Magic, and finishing techniques informed by conservators at the Smithsonian Institution. The workshop also executes contract manufacturing runs for companies in the medical device sphere and for research groups affiliated with Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Collaborations and Partnerships

The workshop maintains partnerships with universities, arts organizations, industry suppliers, and nonprofit incubators. Academic collaborations include project-based work with students and researchers from University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and the Purdue University engineering programs. Arts and cultural collaborations have tied the studio to the Rubin Museum of Art-adjacent artist collectives and local galleries such as Pewabic Pottery affiliates.

Industry partnerships involve tooling and materials vendors like 3M and Würth Group, software alliances with Autodesk reseller networks, and supply agreements with distributors in the automotive parts sector. The workshop has participated in city-level initiatives with Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and workforce programs run by Michigan Works!.

Education and Training

Education and training form a pillar of the studio’s mission, delivering classes and mentorship in fabrication, CAD, and prototyping. Programs have served participants referred from Detroit Public Schools Community District and from adult learners via Skillshare-style workshops. Instruction covers foundational tool safety per standards promoted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and advanced topics in rapid manufacturing similar to coursework at Massachusetts Institute of Technology maker programs.

Residency and apprenticeship models mirror practices used by institutions like The Cooper Union and Rhode Island School of Design, offering multi-week intensives for designers, engineers, and artists. Public-facing workshops have coincided with events such as Open House Chicago-style tours and maker fairs run alongside Maker Faire Detroit.

Notable Works and Impact

Notable outcomes include restored classic automobiles showcased at the Woodward Dream Cruise, prop fabrication for award-winning short films screened at the Sundance Film Festival, and prototype hardware that advanced startups to funding rounds in accelerator programs like Techstars. The studio’s influence extends to regional workforce development initiatives tied to the Detroit Future City framework and cultural vibrancy reflected in partnerships with venues such as the Fox Theatre (Detroit).

Through a combination of technical capability, educational outreach, and cross-sector collaboration, the studio has contributed to Detroit’s reputation as a center for creative manufacturing and design innovation, interfacing with broader networks that include legacy institutions like the Motown Historical Museum and contemporary maker networks such as Fab Lab Network.

Category:Manufacturing companies based in Michigan