University of Lancashire to host hands-on 3D printing showcase in Preston

Made Smarter is set to put additive manufacturing in the spotlight at a regional event designed to help manufacturers understand how 3D printing can deliver real-world impact for their business.

Made Smarter – Discovering Additive Manufacturing, taking place on Wednesday 28 January 2026, will bring together SME manufacturers, technology experts and academic specialists at the Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) at the University of Lancashire, Preston, where cutting-edge research meets real-world manufacturing.

The half-day event will provide a practical introduction to additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, showing how the technology is already being used to speed up production, reduce waste, cut costs and unlock new design possibilities across manufacturing.

The agenda blends real business case studies, expert insight and hands-on demonstrations, giving manufacturers the opportunity to see additive manufacturing in action, ask questions and explore whether the technology could play a role in their own digital journey.

The event forms part of Made Smarter’s Digital Champions Network, a peer-to-peer forum designed to help manufacturers at all stages of digital adoption learn from one another and build confidence in new technologies.

Additive manufacturing is transforming the way manufacturers design and produce products, enabling rapid prototyping, customisation and the creation of complex parts while reducing material waste and lead times.

A recent study published by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) highlights the scale of this shift, identifying the North West as a UK hotspot for 3D printing adoption.

Made Smarter North West, the government-backed adoption programme, has played a key role in that progress.

Since launching in 2019, it has supported 27 manufacturers to invest £1.6m in 3D printing technologies, backed by £442,000 in grant funding.

These projects are expected to create 128 jobs, upskill 117 roles, and add £15.6m in GVA to the North West economy.

Claire Scott, technology adoption specialist for Made Smarter, said: “This event is about taking the mystery out of additive manufacturing.

“Additive manufacturing is no longer an emerging concept. It is a proven, powerful tool that can help manufacturers of all sizes work smarter, faster and more sustainably.

“If you are curious about 3D printing and what it could mean for your business, this is a golden opportunity to see it in action, hear directly from manufacturers already using it, and get honest answers to your questions.”

The event will feature real stories of digital transformation, with insight from Steven Allen and Siddique Rasul at Darwen Terracotta, the Blackburn-based architectural terracotta manufacturer.

Through Made Smarter support, the business identified opportunities in 3D scanning, robotics and additive manufacturing, leading to investment in 3D scanning, the development of a robotic milling capability, and hands-on testing of 3D printing applications.

Delegates will also hear from Jonathan Rowley, creator of Additive Companion, a free, technology-agnostic resource designed to cut through the complexity of additive manufacturing and help businesses navigate the full spectrum of 3D printing technologies, providers and use cases.

The event concludes with a guided tour of the EIC, led by Bev Wood, Business Engagement Lead for the Research and Knowledge Exchange Service at the University of Lancashire.

The £35m facility is home to specialist laboratories for additive manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, composites, intelligent systems, aerospace and high-performance computing, and works closely with industry to translate research into practical application.

Bev Wood, business engagement lead for the research and knowledge exchange service at the University of Lancashire, said: “The University of Lancashire is proud to host this Made Smarter event in our Engineering Innovation Centre.

“We work closely with manufacturers across the North West to support their digital transformation ambitions, and this event provides a fantastic opportunity to connect regional businesses with expertise, facilities and real-world examples of additive manufacturing in practice.”

Alongside the presentations and tour, the event will provide opportunities for networking with fellow manufacturers, Made Smarter advisers and digital champions, helping businesses build connections and explore further support available through the programme.

Manufacturers can register via madesmarter.uk/landing-pages/digital-champions-forum-january-2026