PrintCity Student Testimonial – Max Jeffs
When and why did you engage with PrintCity?
I first engaged with PrintCity during my degree at Manchester Metropolitan University. I had designed a sports product, which I wanted to take from my original drawings on a scrap piece of paper and develop it into a fully functioning prototype.
After trying to teach myself Computer Aided Design (CAD), I gave up and went in search of someone who could help me develop my idea – I quickly found that this was an expensive and lengthy process.
I then found PrintCity online, which is part of Manchester Metropolitan University, and developed into a hub for students, engineers and entrepreneurs from a diverse range of industries, allowing them to develop innovative new ideas using CAD software and a growing range of additive manufacturing tools.
What was your experience of working with PrintCity like?
I first got in contact with Ed Keefe who, outside of University time, took the time to sit down and translate my rough sketches into a 3D animated design. With PrintCity developing fast, he still made time to help me achieve my design goals and begin to educate me in CAD and additive manufacturing techniques.
In order for me to develop the project further, Ed granted me an education license for a CAD package, which allowed me to start learning how to use the software and improve the product.
Each week, I would turn up at PrintCity, where Ed allowed me to work within the hub and would make time to guide me through my project and offer his invaluable advice. For here, we began 3D printing parts for further research and development. By making minor adjustments to the design each week, I was able to constantly fabricate parts and test various materials.
Throughout my time working with PrintCity, I learnt Autodesk’s Fusion 360 for design and SolidWorks for Simulation.
How did working with PrintCity affect your career?
After working alongside PrintCity and their growing team throughout my degree, it quickly became clear that I wanted to work in the manufacturing industry. Before completing my degree, I started applying for roles within this industry. Companies I applied to included, 3DHubs, a manufacturing company in Amsterdam and SolidSolutions, who are the primary reseller for SolidWorks (a solid modelling CAD and computer-aided engineering programme) and provide innovative solutions for design and manufacturing in the UK.
PrintCity was the main driving force behind making me eligible for my current role. They spent countless hours educating me on the various CAD software and additive manufacturing techniques, as well as showing me where this technology is being harnessed in a diverse range of industries. This knowledge was invaluable when applying for roles within the sector.
What is your current position?
I am now a Regional Sales Executive for SolidSolutions. The business works alongside Solidworks to help provide innovative design and manufacturing solutions to a diverse range of industries such as automotive, defence, medical and sport. They work in a similar way to PrintCity and nurture ideas from initial designs straight through to manufacture.
As an Account Manager, my role involves speaking to existing clients to help identify and provide innovative solutions to design and manufacturing problems. Typical examples of this could be helping a business develop new or existing products to bring to market or introducing manufacturing solutions to help speed up the process of design to market.
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