High-tech manufacturing is set to be promoted on Britain’s high streets, with a project to open a series of workshops to make products for customers such as design and architectural businesses using the emerging technology of 3D printing.
Elgin Loane, an Irish entrepreneur, thinks his plan will accelerate the acceptance of 3D printing – a family of techniques that makes it possible to make parts and products on a “one-off” basis relatively cheaply – among UK businesses.
Under his plans, a series of eight production centres will open up in London over the next 18 months. If the scheme goes well, other facilities could then be started in other cities such as Birmingham or Manchester.
Each of the sites in the plan will have a £40,000, 3D printer, in addition to their existing reprographic machines used in conventional 2D printing. Total investment envisaged by Mr Loane in the project is about £500,000.