BA (Hons) Model Making & Visual FX course partner Orbital FX have generously donated two new BambulabInspire A1 3D Printers to our degree programme, following a visit to our neighbours The Northern Studios and our school from Director and Creative Engineer Luke Daley.

Orbital FX commented that; “It means a great deal to help the next generation of creators. At Orbital, we believe in the power of education and the importance of nurturing young talent.”

Speaking of the donation course Lecturer John Noble said “Luke came to deliver and set them up last month and will talk to students in September about the machines and the software, plus the post-printing processes he uses. Installation was simple, using an online manual and once I installed the app and slicer software, I was able to send prints through our Wi-Fi and even watched them print from my phone!”

Commenting further that first print-work sent through the machine was an important one; “there is a real poignancy to the first job produced on the printer; Luke was given a tour of The Scott Building by Norman Austick who introduced Orbital FX to the Model Making department team, and initially raised the idea of an industry-sponsored 3D printer in our department.”

“Norman has just retired after over 30 years of service, so I used 3D scanning technology to make a digital copy of a large prop produced for one of his last theatre productions, ‘Heroes’, then re-scaled it and printed it out on the Orbital FX Bambu Lab A1. Additional elements were produced using the laser cutter and the whole figurine was hand-painted to resemble the original prop.

Norman received his gift at his farewell party and was very touched by the gesture. We wish Norman a long and happy retirement as we wish the 3D printers a long and happy working life!”

Commenting on the partnership between the course and Orbital FX John said “as a local business, Luke wants to help strengthen the region’s film industry prospects by ensuring local talent isn’t lost to the film studios in the south of England, so this outreach ensures our students are working with the latest machines in the most employable ways.”

“Luke is very keen for our students to ‘learn through play’, and his generous gift, which includes additional spools of PLA filament, will ensure an uplifted educational experience and a greater number of highly-motivated, technology-proficient, makers entering the workplace, with the skills to service the growing North East film industry.”

This partnership is one of a number that the course has established with leading businesses and professionals in this exciting industry. Find out more about the course, degree details, and partners here.