Collaborative Production Brief
Collaborative production - Collaborative Production in the OSE case refers to a production model where a significant number of people (8+) execute a production run of a modular machine in a rapid fashion. The production run typically lasts a 1 day, where the key to this method lies in module-based machine design and significant preparation for the production run. The module-based design refers to design where a machine is designed in modular components with clearly-defined interfaces between the components to allow for parallel building of the components by individual teams, after which all the components are assembled together. There is in principle no limit to the complexity of the machines thus produced - such as building a car or tractor in one day - as long as (1) modules are designed to be built independently, (2), modules are easy to connect to one another, (3), a sufficient team and space is available for the production, and (4), clear instructions are provided for fabrication - such as IKEA-style fabrication diagrams. Significant preparation refers to (1), the design being completed to a high level of transparency prior to a production run - up to the full IKEA-style instructional; (2) the design itself being design-for-simplicity; and (3), a scale model has been built (such as a laser cut from cardboard that is then glued together) prior to the full production to test the fit of all components. The goal is to transition manufacturing from an alienating, centralized process to a social, relocalized process.
 Collaborative Production
Yochai Benkler coined the term 'commons-based peer production' to describe collaborative efforts based on sharing information, such as free and open source software and Wikipedia. He also uses the term 'networked information economy' to describe a "system of production, distribution, and consumption of information goods characterized by decentralized individual action carried out through widely distributed, nonmarket means that do not depend on market strategies."
Note: The word nonmarket needs to be defined. Collaborative Production does not imply lack of marketability within the market system, because real value may be generated in social production, and real value may be exchanged for other consideration. - MJ
 1 Day Production Run Time Achieved - December 18, 2012
Collaborative Production is the means by which OSE intends to build machine prototypes rapidly - and to produce boot-strapping financial sustainability. It is a model whereby community members work together in production runs - after cross training its members to basic production skills.
On December 18, 2012, we have produced a single CEB Machine in 1 day with 8 people working in our flexible fabrication workshop, yielding $5k of net value in one day.