Turning ideas into reality...

Our 3D printing hub and maker spaces are perfect environments for creative design engineers to realise their innovation potential. Our labs and workshops are fully equipped with a complete suite of prototyping equipment and software to design, build, and test.

If you are a research student with an ambition to learn how to realise your ideas or a company that would like make use of our concept-to-creation capabilities and tap into our technical expertise, then please do reach out: l.williams@cranfield.ac.uk.

What we do best

Idea generation, rapid prototyping, design for manufacture, human-centred-design, human user testing, and management science (design thinking).

Our team capabilities

Our staff have a diverse range of skills and competencies that have come from working across a number of thematic sectors (e.g. Aerospace, Agrifood, Defence and Security, Design, Energy and Power, Management, Manufacturing, Transport Systems, and Water).

C4D capabilities

Training

3D printing hub users are inducted on the equipment within the hub. Once they have demonstrated a level of proficiency that complies with the health and safety protocols, users will be granted access to the facility. Discounts for future 3D printing will be given.

Refresher courses are provided for staff and researchers. Top-up training once a year is expected to ensure that users are kept abreast of new health and safety requirements, lab protocols and area procedures. Complying with our ongoing RA/equipment, training expectations will maintain a healthy culture of ‘working sensibly and with confidence’.

Technical/design courses (1-2 day)

  • Introductions to CAD using SolidWorks;
  • Introductions to 3D printing: basic level 3D printing;
  • CAD refresher course;
  • Model making refresher course.

Please note, refresher courses can only be undertaken as a follow-up (not as a substitute for the intermediate/advanced level courses).

Our amazing facilities and equipment

Here are some of the facilities within C4D:

  • 3D printing hub: 30+ 3D printers, including FDM, SLA, DLP and multi-jet technologies;
  • Mechatronics lab: workbenches and variety of machine tools;
  • Design office/studio: flexible workspaces;
  • Soft materials workshop: laser cutters, routers, engravers, vacuum forming technology;
  • C4D idea space: conference rooms, open space, hack space;
  • Metal Fab-Lab: metal CNC machining and plasma cutter machines;
  • Assembly area: air benches, maker spaces and workbenches;
  • Additive manufacturing: painting and finishing, traditional hand tools;
  • Product testing room: product testing booth.

Find out more about our 3D printing equipment below.

Lulzbot Mini

3D Print Hub 


 

 

 

  • Print area: 152mm x 152mm x 158mm.
  • Material: 2.85mm filament, ABS, PLA in a range of colours.
  • Layer thickness with 0.5mm nozzle: from 0.05mm to 0.50mm.
  • Auto bed levelling and nozzle cleaning.
  • Print surface: heated borosilicate glass bed covered with PEI print surface.
  • Enclosed build chamber: temperature controlled.
  • Optional 1.75mm print head.

Lulzbot TAZ 5

3D Print Hub

 

 

 

 

 

  • Print area: 290mm x 275mm x 250mm.
  • Material: 2.85mm filament, ABS, PLA in a range of colours, also NinjaFlex.
  • Layer thickness with 0.5mm nozzle: 0.075mm to 0.35mm.
  • Print surface: heated borosilicate glass bed covered with PEI print surface.
  • Enclosed build chamber: temperature controlled.
  • Optional dual print head, fast print head.

Lulzbot TAZ 6

3D Print Hub

 

 

 

 

  • Print area: 280mm x 280mm x 250mm.
  • Material: 2.85mm filament, ABS, PLA in a range of colours, also NinjaFlex.
  • Layer thickness with 0.5mm nozzle: 0.075mm to 0.35mm.
  • Print surface: heated borosilicate glass bed covered with PEI print surface.
  • Enclosed build chamber: temperature controlled.
  • Optional dual print head, fast print head.

Modix Big60

Modix Big60.

 

 

 

 

  • Print area: 610mm x 610mm x 610mm.
  • Material: 1.75mm filament, ABS, PLA, TPU, PP, PETG and many more.
  • Layer thickness with 0.8mm nozzle, with additional nozzle diameters available.
  • Auto bed levelling.
  • Print surface: 2 zone heated aluminium build plate with PEI print surface.
  • Enclosed build chamber.
  • Optional dual print head.

Modix 120X

3D Print Hub

 

 

 

  

  • Print area: 1200mm x 610mm x 610mm.
  • Material: 1.75mm filament, ABS, PLA, TPU, PP, PETG and many more.
  • Layer thickness with 0.8mm nozzle, with additional nozzle diameters available.
  • Auto bed levelling.
  • Print surface: 4 zone heated aluminium build plate with PEI print surface.
  • Enclosed build chamber.
  • Optional dual print head.

Who we have worked for

We have undertaken research projects in the C4D/print hub with a number of globally-recognised technology giants and SMEs. Some example include:

  • Accord,
  • Proctor and Gamble,
  • M&S,
  • Whirlpool,
  • Boeing,
  • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,
  • SABMiller,
  • Samsung,
  • IBM,
  • Microsoft,
  • Housing 21,
  • Cisco,
  • Safran,
  • Boeing,
  • Bombardier,
  • Rolls-Royce,
  • Redbull,
  • Safran.

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