Workshop: Introduction to 3D Printing with Biomaterials

Tuesday 31 January 2023

10:00am - 16:00pm

Two-part in-person workshop at STEAMhouse

Tuesday 21 & Wednesday 22 February, 10am–4pm

Apply by 31 January 2023 – see below for the application process

Are you interested in learning how to 3D print sustainable materials made from waste?

This two part workshop combines material development with additive manufacturing processes to introduce participants to the basics of 3D printing with biomaterials.

You will:

• Develop and test biomaterial recipes for printing
• Gain knowledge and understanding of 3D printing workflow
• Learn about additive manufacturing and circular-economy material methodologies
• Identify and experiment with waste stream materials, develop samples, and test using manual extrusion tools
• Have the opportunity to use a 3D printer to test materials
• Work alongside a group of likeminded peers

By the end of the course you will:

• Understand how you could incorporate computer-aided design into your materials based practice
• Understand the fundamental workflow for 3D printing and have experienced a clay 3D printer in action
• Understand key criteria for biomaterial printability
• Know how to identify waste streams and begin to develop recipes for 3D printing

The course consists of two in-person full-day workshop at STEAMhouse and will be hosted in the Production Space workshops.

Participants need to attend both workshops.

This is a fully funded FREE course. To be eligible to take part you must be registered as self-employed or have your own business and be based in England.

How to Apply

To apply email the following to steamhouse@bcu.ac.uk by Tuesday 31 January

Please use ‘Biomaterials Printing Course’ as your email subject.

• If you are not already a STEAMhouse member, please introduce yourself and let us know what you do, where you are based, and whether you are self-employed or have a company. Please also include your UTR number (if self-employed) or company registration number.

• A short expression of interest (250 words max) explaining why you want to join the workshops, and how you hope the course will benefit your creative practice and/or business development. We are looking for participants who have a clear sense of how they might apply the knowledge they will gain, previous experience with biomaterials is great, but not essential.

We will be in touch with everyone by 3 February.

Our Course Leaders

Kaitlin Ferguson

Kaitlin Ferguson is an interdisciplinary artist, whose practice involves process-led investigations into the changing state of the planet. Through research-based lines of enquiry, she seeks out ways to explore planetary shaping processes and the wider effects of climate change. Through exploration across a wide range of materials, alongside participatory projects with communities, she reveals new readings of the environment that seek to deconstruct and heal the deeply embedded divides between nature and culture which surround us.

Sarah King

Sarah King is an interdisciplinary design researcher and Materials Science Technician at STEAMhouse. Her primary role is to support members across the various routes in areas including materials development, surface design, print, and product prototyping. She also co-runs the Materials Club and supports specific members in research projects related to new materials development.

Sarah is particularly interested in the use of design as a tool to embed sustainability and equality within societies and cultures. In her own practice, she focuses on the use of natural systems and abundant materials, utilising their unique properties to develop products that can actively aid health and wellbeing, with a view to replenishing local ecosystems at their end of life, striving to co-create a closed-loop system with nature.