The Team
The RUB Makerspace team consists of very different people from equally different disciplines. From handicrafts to art, we go all the way to research. Although all team members have disciplinary focuses, they also operate very interdisciplinary in order to be able to jointly oversee and operate the many different work areas of the Makerspace.
The core task of the entire team is to go on a 'journey of discovery' together with users alongside their projects. Our focus is especially on providing a very diverse infrastructure and the associated basic training for very diverse users and projects. We are more than happy to do this, because we all enjoy experimenting and learning together.
Acting General Manager of RUB Makerspace
Florian Krohm
"I am Flo. Since September 2016, I've been working with Dirk to plan the RUB Makerspace from scratch, gradually building it up and managing the Design Lab, among other things. There are many things there that are also in most other Fab Labs and Makerspaces, such as FDM 3D printers, laser cutters or VR equipment. Before I was given the job of managing the Makerspace, I was our gateway to the Worldfactory's start-up consulting. Thanks to my degree in Industrial Design, I was able to support start-ups with production technology know-how and design thinking methods in the development of their research-based products and services."
- Founder of the Stadtteilfabrik
- M.A. Industrial Design at the Folkwang Universität der Künste
General Manager of RUB Makerspace
Dirk Hansmeier
Dirk is currently on parental leave.
"I'm Dirk and since 2016 I manage the RUB-Makerspace, taking care of pretty much everything that doesn't occur directly at the machines and devices: instead of producing G-code, I write lines of text in emails or project proposals; instead of creating 3D models, I work on networks and PowerPoint presentations. In contrast to the rest of our great team, who teach you how to use our devices, instruct and advise you, I spend far too little time at the machines. Instead, I'm the contact person for collaborations and occasionally a tour guide through our Makerspace - and I'd like to invite everyone to join us on a discovery tour!"
- Studies at the RUB (Social Sciences and Art History) and at the TU Dortmund (Cultural Work and Creative Industries)
- Acquisition of third-party funding and project management at the Department of Machine Elements at TU Dortmund
- Co-inventor and pioneer of the Future Finder of the city of Dortmund.
Back Office and User Management
Guido Kissenbeck
"Hi, my name is Guido. You will find me in the entrance area of the Makerspace. I am responsible for the internal administration here. If you want to hold an event with us, I will be happy to help you with the organization. I worked in administration for a few years and gained my expertise at the Fachhochschule Dortmund and the IHK."
- Apprenticeship as merchant in wholesale and foreign trade
- Human Resources Specialist IHK/Datev Operator/Payroll Specialist
- many years of experience in the organization of events in theaters and seminar houses
Design and Media Lab Team
Isabel Engels can support you especially well on our laser cutter as well as the 3D scanners and robotics. She is also involved in setting up the Kitchen Lab.
Kinan Hloubi knows the 3D printers in the Design Lab particularly well and is also happy to help you at the laser cutter. He also assists in the workshops in the basement.
Lena Seeliger is primarily responsible for public relations and the media lab. She communicates for the makerspace in social networks, helps organize events, advises you on the use of the media lab and supports the Design and Textile Lab.
IT and Digital Lab
Tim Höink
"Hey, I'm Tim and I'm responsible for the IT and the Digital Lab in the Makerspace. So if you want to solder something or have questions about IT in general, then I'm your go-to person. As I am also active in many other areas of the makerspace, you can also contact me about other topics relating to your project. In addition to specific technical questions about the implementation of your ideas, I am also happy to help you with questions about design thinking methods."
- Training as technical draftsman specializing in supply engineering
- B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering (FH Dortmund), currently in M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering (RUB)
- Founding member Hartkern e.V. - organization of hardcore and punk concerts
Part-time Team
Torben Böhnke maintains this website, among other things, and is generally well versed in IT/EDP and media production/preparation for e-learning.
Al Buchwald has a strong interdisciplinary focus and can assist you with projects in the majority of our workshops and labs. She is also a self-employed artist and can be contacted for relevant concerns.
Ilhan Kahraman is generally well versed in IT, engineering and digital fabrication and brings a lot of prior experience working in a makerspace as well as offering (educational) workshops.
Textile Lab & Kitchen Lab
Elena Blazquez
"I'm Elena and I'm responsible for the Textile Lab and the Kitchen Lab. As a designer, I am available to advise you on your projects and help you to think outside the box in the process.
My design focus is mainly on the conception and creation of experimental objects, mostly linked with textile techniques. Thanks to my industrial design studies I am familiar with different materials and approaches in the design process. I also feel at home in graphic design due to my bachelor's degree in communication design, and I provide support in the area of public relations."
- B.A. Communication Design at the Folkwang University of Arts
- M.A. Industrial Design at the Folkwang University of Arts
- Freelance designer - more info at www.elenablazquez.de
Part-time Team
Pia Fuhrmeister is happy to help you in all areas of the Textile Lab and Design Lab. She is also well versed in IT, digital technology and science in general.
Wood Workshop and Ceramics Workshop
Anna-Lena Zinnhardt
"Hi, I'm Anna-Lena and you'll probably meet me most of the time in the wood workshop. I wanted to become a carpenter when I was a teenager, but I was a little longer in the orientation phase. I enjoy building and tinkering with all sorts of projects and look forward to helping you with your ideas. "It always seems impossible until it is accomplished" - Nelson Mandela.
- 1984-2004: baby, child, teenie, school, Abi and celebrations
- 2004-2005: FÖJ at the Schutzstation Wattenmeer on the island of Föhr
- 2005-2014: study, work, study, partying, study, side jobs, study, sleeping
- 2014-2017: Apprenticeship as a carpenter at timbercraft
- 2017-2020: carpenter at Gierse&Saße (http://tischlerei.nrw)
- since 2021: Head of the wood workshop at the RUB-Makerspace
- I am also a mother since 2018 and since then I try to balance job and family.
Part-time Team
Judith Kamp fills in for Anna-Lena in her absence for the wood and ceramics workshop. She is also a self-employed designer and accordingly also approachable for design topics.
Metal Workshop and Workplace Safety
Dietmar Krukowski
"Hi, my name is Dietmar. In the Makerspace of the RUB I am the workshop manager of the metal workshop. When it comes to the topic of metal, I am happy to be your contact. As a former Opel employee here on the site, I have experienced the development of the industry at first hand and have been able to gain a lot of experience in technology and later in training. I'm looking forward to supporting and advancing your projects."
- Trainer of retrainees in the metal sector at BFZ in Essen BFZ Essen GmbH
- Member of the examination board of the IHK Essen for industrial mechanics and metal cutting mechanics
- Trainer for industrial mechanics in the training workshop of Adam Opel AG
- many years of experience as maintenance employee of Adam Opel AG
- much experience in CNC and conventional milling
- Tool expert of TCM International Tool Consulting and Management
Part-time Team
Michael Schwarz has a lot of experience with metal and CNC and can accordingly be found in the Metal Workshop in particular. He also knows CAD/CAM, 3D printing, digital technology and other topics and is self-employed in a family business as well as running a startup created in the Makerspace.
Richard Frühauf supports the workshop team, especially in the Metal Workshop and the Wood Workshop, and is also familiar with the equipment in the Design Lab.
Former Employees
- Axel Neuhaus managed the metal fabrication shop until 2022.
- Lorna Ngole Noumegne was a part-time employee until 2022, mainly in digital and electrical engineering.
- Konrad Telaar supported us as a part-time employee until 2022, mainly in the back office.
- Jan Schäfer was a part-time employee until 2023, primarily in digital and electrical engineering.
- Oliver Stickel was Deputy General Manager and Workshop Manager for the Digital Lab and the Plastics Workshop from 2020 to 2023.