Digital Making DJCAD

About

We instruct students in the use of many types of digital fabrication equipment and attendant software and techniques. Our main practices include 3D printing, laser cutting and engraving, CNC milling, vinyl cutting, digital electronics and programming, 3D scanning and photogrammetry.

3D Printing

We operate a 3D print bureau service for students and staff of DJCAD. Users within the wider University may also have access to this service, depending on availability. Please contact us in the first instance at [email protected]

We currently have a selection of Bambu Lab 3D printers, including:

• 7 x Bambu Lab A1 single extruder - max. build volume 256 x 256 x 256mm
• 4 x Bambu Lab A1 single extruder Combo w/ AMS lite (4 colour/material changer)
  - max. build volume 256 x 256 x 256mm
• 1 x Bambu Lab H2D dual extruder - max. build volume 350 x 320 x 325mm)
• 2 x Bambu Lab HD2 Combi w/ AMS 2 (4 colour/material changer)

Our 3D print service is chargeable at cost price of material used.

We mainly use PLA (polylactic acid), PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol) and TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane)  thermoplastics, as well as specialist materials including filaments impregnated with copper, bronze, wood and electrically-conductive carbon.

Laser Cutting

We have seven laser cutters/engravers of varying sizes, from 600 x 300mm to 1800 x 1000mm. Use of these is subject to completion of an induction. Laser sessions are bookable in 1hour timeslots.

CNC Milling

We have 3 CNC milling machines, allowing us to mill a variety of materials such as wood, foams, plastics and non-ferrous metals:

• Denford 6600 PRO Router (table size 1000x600mm) 
• Denford 2600 ATC Router   (table size 600 x 400mm) 
• Denford Vertical Router (envelope size 1200 x 800mm)

Vinyl cutting

We have a large-format (1200mm-wide) Summa D120 vinyl cutter which is perfect for making adhesive signage, but can also be used as a plotter.

3D modelling and photogrammetry

We mainly use Rhinoceros 3D for 3D creation and editing, although we can usually help with files generated in titles such as  Autocad, Fusion 360, Solidworks for creation of 3D parts which can then be presented to our 3D printers or CNC mills. We also use Agisoft Metashape to render 3D models from photogrammetry image sets.

Electronics

We have six electronics workstations equipped with soldering stations, bench power supplies, measurement meters and extraction, so that students can build working electronic circuits. We also have expertise in the use of microcontrollers such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi, and assist students in embedding working technology into their designs, products, artworks and installations - we do anything from simply adding illumination to making objects communicate over the internet.