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3D Printing in Engineering Education – Sheffield’s STEM Revolution

Education 3D printing in Sheffield classroom with students using 3D printers

Education 3D printing in Sheffield is transforming how students learn engineering. By combining CAD design, 3D scanning, and hands-on manufacturing, schools and universities are preparing the next generation of skilled STEM professionals through practical, industry-ready experience.

How To Guide: Applying Textures in Formlabs PreForm Software

How To Guide: Applying Textures in Formlabs PreForm Software

One of the most striking yet underutilised features in Formlabs PreForm is its native support for texture mapping — letting you add rich surface detail without needing to sculpt every bump in CAD. In this how-to guide, we’ll walk you through how to paint faces in your 3D model, export the appearance data via STEP, and then bring it into PreForm for final texture assignment.

Whether you’re after a subtle grain, a bold embossing, or a complex displacement pattern, this workflow lets you blend the freedom of CAD design with PreForm’s intuitive texture tools. We’ll also highlight key tips — like choosing the right amplitude for SLS parts and printing textured surfaces at angles — to help you get the most from each print.

Ready to bring your parts to life? Let’s dive in.

Design Guidelines for SLS 3D Printing

Design Guidelines for SLS 3D Printing - SLS 3D Print Being Inspected Against Technical Drawing

Designing for Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) requires careful attention to wall thickness, tolerances, shrinkage, and part orientation. Unlike SLA or FDM, SLS allows complex geometries without support structures, but following design guidelines is essential for accuracy and repeatability. In this guide, we cover key rules for successful SLS design, from minimum feature sizes to assembly fits, as well as how industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical rely on precision in SLS printing.

August Bank Holiday 2025

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printer used by SGD 3D for high-precision additive manufacturing projects.

SGD 3D will be closed for the August Bank Holiday on Monday 25th August 2025. Any orders or enquiries placed during this time will be handled as soon as we reopen on Tuesday 26th August.

How Birmingham’s Automotive Industry is Using 3D Printing for Faster Production

Automotive 3D Printing Birmingham – FDM, SLA, SLS

Birmingham’s automotive sector is turning to automotive 3D printing Birmingham solutions to speed up prototyping, reduce production costs, and create high-performance parts. From rapid prototyping and custom tooling to lightweight EV components, ISO 9001-certified FDM, SLA, and SLS processes are helping local manufacturers stay competitive in a fast-changing industry.

Case Study: Jerba Campervans

Case Study: Jerba Campervans

Home Source: Jerba Campervans Jerba Campervans uses additive manufacturing for bespoke, high-end campervan conversions. Join us as we delve into the innovative solutions that Jerba Campervans, a company specialising in campervan conversions, launched one of their latest products. In this case study, we showcase how Jerba Campervans leveraged additive manufacturing to produce bespoke components that […]

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