Cut, engrave and machine a wide range of materials, for anything from artworks to engineering parts, and join in our monthly creative workshops.
The 3D factory has a great range of machines for laser cutting and engraving, suitable for materials including wood, plastics, card, textiles, leather, and also engraving on glass, stone, plaster and ceramics. Some machines have a rotary axis, and our largest laser cutter has a capacity of 1000 x 600 mm. We also have a range of CNC machines to cut, shape and engrave wood, foam, plastics and even metals, up to 4 axis.
The laser cutting and CNC workshop is also the hub of the 3D factory, our centre for digital making – where you can find materials to buy, technicians to help you, and a wide range of tools and equipment to use. We pride ourselves on being open to all students, and run a monthly creative workshop series ‘Workshop Wednesday’, where students from any course can try out new techniques in a relaxed and fun environment.
Equipment
-
Trotec Speedy 400 Laser Cutter / Engraver
-
GCC Spirit Laser Cutter Cutter/ Engraver
-
GCC Spirit LS Laser Cutter Cutter/ Engraver
-
Gravograph LS900 Laser Cutter Cutter/ Engraver
-
Axminster CNC Milling Machine
-
Roland MDX-40a CNC Mini-Mill
-
Roland SRM-20 CNC Mini-Mill × 2
Laser engraved playing cards
Maker's stamp for ceramics
Laser engraved ceramic gin cup
Tyrannosaurus Rex cut puzzle
Axminster CNC milling machine
Roland MDX-40a CNC mini-mill
Roland SRM-20 CNC Mini-Mill
Staff
Peter Smith
Location
- S007
- Mellor Building
- College Road
- Stoke-on-Trent
- ST4 2DE
-
Opening Times
Mon: 9am -1pm, 2pm -5pm
Tue: 9am -1pm, 2pm -5pm
Wed: 9am - 1pm
Thu: 9am -1pm, 2pm -5pm
Fri: 9am -1pm, 2pm -5pm
for Career Prospects
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025
for Social Inclusion
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
for First Generation Students
The Mail University Guide 2026
in the UK for Games Education
Rookies Games Design and Development 2023, 2025
TIGA Best Games Institution 2024, 2025
of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”
Research Excellence Framework 2021
of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’
Research Excellence Framework 2021