Listed among the leading universities in the UK, the University of Surrey is committed to innovation and maintaining its position as a top institution for higher education.
At the forefront of that ambition is the Faculty of Engineering, which continues to enhance its offering to students by integrating the latest technological advancements into its teaching.
By partnering with SYS Systems, the University of Surrey has invested in Stratasys, the world’s leading additive manufacturing technology, to provide students with state-of-the-art equipment for producing realistic, functional components.
Project Brief:
Additive manufacturing is playing an increasingly important role within the Faculty of Engineering, with more students keen to use the technology to produce customised components for their projects.
With this growing demand, coupled with the wider industry uptake of 3D printing, the university recognised the need to invest in professional-grade systems. The aim was not only to meet student expectations but also to strengthen the university’s appeal to prospective applicants.
A selection of desktop 3D printers had previously provided students with some exposure to the technology, but both staff and students were looking for a more professional, industry-ready solution.
Myles Jenkinson, Design and Engineering Manager, said: “3D printing has come such a long way over the years that it is now one of the main technologies we use here at the university. Externally, it is also used on a massive scale. It bridges the gap between university education and the world of work.
“One of our core values is innovation, so in that spirit, we aim to stay up to date with the most modern technology to provide our students with the best possible education.”
The Solution:
The University of Surrey has invested in two Stratasys 3D printing systems, initially the Objet30 Prime as part of a trade-in for a legacy machine, followed by the J55, both of which use advanced PolyJet technology to deliver high levels of part accuracy and full-colour printing.
Myles said: “When I started at the University of Surrey, we already had a 3D printer, a multi-jet system, but over time, that became a legacy technology. We knew we needed to up our game and stay ahead of what is being used in industry. We approached SYS Systems as a Stratasys partner to trade in that machine and purchase a PolyJet printer.
“We’ve had a wide range of desktop FDM technologies for a long time, but PolyJet printing took us to the next level. It gave us the tolerances that students were looking for, along with full-colour capabilities and access to an industry-standard technology.
“We already knew that Stratasys was one of the largest companies in additive manufacturing and now we have experienced first-hand just how capable the technology really is.
“We are still amazed by the quality of the components when they come off the print bed. Our students are amazed, our colleagues are amazed, it absolutely lives up to the name.”
The Benefits:
Both students and staff are impressed by the parts produced on the J55, with incredibly precise tolerances and the ability to replicate textures such as carbon fibre and wood grain.
Jaime Chatfield, Apprentice Technician, said: “I am one of the main users of the Stratasys J55 and I love how precise it is. It can produce really small parts that desktop printers cannot manage.
“The J55 is all about precision. With the other desktop machines, the tolerances just are not there, and students often have to do several prints to get it right. With the J55, that accuracy is built in.
“I cannot imagine not having the J55 at the university. It is such a widely used piece of equipment, by us and by the students, that I honestly do not know what we would do without it.”
Additive manufacturing is being used to complement subtractive processes, something that is being increasingly seen across industry, and the faculty has replicated this to enhance their production workflows.
Jonathan Stacey, Head Machinist, said: “We have a lot of students who want to drill complex holes into unusual geometries, but they cannot do that on the CNC machines because they do not have that capability. You would have to make it in two parts and join them together but with the J55, you can print it all in one.”
The benefits of the technology extend beyond the engineering department. Other areas of the university also rely on the J55 and its capabilities are proving to be a valuable asset for collaborative research with external organisations.
Myles said: “Our department is the School of Engineering, but the whole university makes use of the printer.
“We’ve produced parts for the vet school based on MRI scans of animal skulls, and we have also created moulds for other departments. The smooth surface finish from the PolyJet printer is perfect for those kinds of applications.
“Additive manufacturing here is not just about supporting the university; we also have companies reaching out to us to access the technology because what we have is genuinely state of the art.”
Why SYS Systems?
From initial conversations about the technology through to implementation and training, the University of Surrey has nothing but praise for the SYS Systems team and how it has enabled them to get the most out of their Stratasys 3D printers.
Myles said: “Our relationship with SYS Systems is approaching 10 years now. They have supported us throughout the entire process.
“I cannot fault the training they provided. They came in, set the machines up and trained my team so we fully understood how to operate and maintain the printers at their peak performance.
“I would definitely recommend SYS Systems to other universities. I know many already work with them as Stratasys partners, but for those that do not, I would absolutely encourage them to make the move and start using the latest technologies available.”
