But there's another disruptive technology emerging: Lasers. Affordable laser cutting and engraving promises to be as big a positive disruptive force as 3D printers have become. At Maker Faire UK we saw prototypes of two such affordable laser cutters. The aptly named Just Add Sharks had a 35-watt laser cutter for around £1000 and Theo Lasers had a 1-watt laser cutter and engraver starting at £499. Maker Faire wouldn't be called Maker Faire if it wasn't for the attendance of the numerous creatives and makers who happily showed off their projects and wearables for all to see and for visitors to be actively involved with. Learning to solder was a popular activity.

In addition Maker Faire wouldn't be much of a maker event if it wasn't for all the makerspace, hacklabs and fablabs who show that anyone can become a maker. This year’s Faire was again well supported by spaces from the UK and Ireland, for a list check out the links below.
A worthy mention goes to the Penguin Run project which won the Maker Merit Award from the Faire’s organisers. Children and adults alike were amazed as they watched penguins (of the laser cut and 3D printed wheeled model variety) climb the lofty heights to the tall helter-skelter via an ingenious lifting platform (controlled by a single string and motor). Once at the top they raced down the run like crazy tobogganists, crossing models of the famous Tyne Bridge and Swing Bridge, racing pass a model of the Angel of the North to finally return to the lift and start it all again. I am slightly biased as Penguin Run was one of his makerspace (Maker Space (Newcastle)) stands this year.
Finally, we get to the Rocket Men of Copenhagen Suborbitals. Crowd funding and rockets, a surprising combination? Not if you're called Copenhagen Suborbitals. They had their impressive 12-meter HEAT2X  tall rocket on full display as well as a re-entry capsule. They hope to become the first amateurs to launch a person into orbit.
Check out the other links below and start the countdown (T minus 12-months) to Maker Faire UK 2017.
 
Drones: Drone Ops, UAV Monkey
 
Makespace/Hacklabs/Fablabs: Maker Space (Newcastle), LaMM (Lancaster and Morecambe Makers); Leeds Hackspace; Nottingham Hackspace; Sheffield Hackspace; TOG Dublin; York Hackspace; FabLab Sunderland
 
Rockets: Copenhagen Suborbitals