PrintCity Round Up – May 2021

Welcome to the PrintCity Monthly Round Up, the newsletter for keeping up to date with all aspects of PrintCity.  Each Month we will be recapping what has happened across the different areas of Manchester Metropolitan University PrintCity. Be sure to visit our round up at the end of each month to see what our team has been doing!

Key News

Bridging the Skills Gap Webinar with Markforged

On the 19^th May 2021, our very own Edmund Keefe joined Markforged, Siemens Energy and OsloMet to discuss bridging the skills between Higher Education and Industry. The webinar discussed, the effects and opportunities of a broadening skills gap, developing relationships between education and industry and what Industry would like to see from future engineers.  A recording of the webinar can be using the following link:

3D Print of the Month

In May, our technical team were approached by artist Brendan Dawes who uses generative processes involving data, machine learning and algorithms, to create art.  Brendan’s latest project called Satellites uses data from the Apollo 11 mission to create 3D geometry which required 3D Printing. Edmund Keefe printed the sculptures on our Formlabs Form 3L SLA printer in V4 Clear Resin which were exhibited in ‘The Collectors’ at Gazelli Art House.

Research Update

Last month, saw the launch of the first cohort workshop as part of ECO-I North West at Manchester Metropolitan University, helping businesses to develop innovative solutions for a low carbon economy. ECO-I North West at Manchester Metropolitan University takes businesses through an innovation workshop, where they will assess the market, the carbon intensity of their own business activities and identify opportunities for carbon reduction. Topics covered include hydrogen fuel cells, energy systems management and storage, anaerobic digestion, Industry 4.0, circular economy, eco-design and fuel substitution. For more information and to register your interest, visit – ECO-I North West · Manchester Metropolitan University (mmu.ac.uk).

MSc ID Highlight

The MSc students let off some steam recently with a trip to Teamsport Karting in Manchester. Plenty of comments, promises and boasts had been heard in the build-up but on the day, Kieron Khan let his driving do all the talking, taking both of the 15 minute heats on the 450 metre indoor track. The 200 cc petrol karts can reach 40 mph and lap on average every 38 seconds. Kieron is one of two car-crazy students we have on the course and he is looking forward to defending his crown when staff and students meet up on the track in June.

Staff Spotlight

Jess is an apprentice on our technical team. She helps students with print requests, maintains, and repairs the machines, and assists with commercial print jobs. Jess also currently manages our Instagram page, which has just surpassed 400 follows. Jess has also been assisting the research team with designing and implementing new recycling systems to make PrintCity more sustainable..

Before working at PrintCity Jess studied Contemporary Art and Illustration at the University of Huddersfield, where she specialised in textiles. Currently, as part of her apprenticeship project, she has started experimenting with FFF printing on fabric. She uses Fusion 360 to create illustrative designs, which will then be printed directly onto the material and embroidered on top. With this knowledge, Jess has worked with many textiles/fashion students helping them to incorporate 3D print into their practice. Including assisting them with their designs and teaching them the basics of CAD.