Aston University founds Design Factory Birmingham and focuses on 3D printing

Aston University has launched Design Factory Birmingham after the city joined a global network of design and engineering facilities.

As one of only two sites in the UK outside London, Design Factory Birmingham will make state-of-the-art facilities available to other organizations. This network encourages radical innovation through collaboration across cultural, temporal and organizational boundaries. Businesses, industry partners, entrepreneurs and University staff and students will work together on projects that incorporate technologies such as 3D printers and design software.

The Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, Professor Aleks Subic said: “The Design Factory Birmingham is another key milestone in our ambition to be a leader in science, technology, and innovation, driving socio-economic transformation in our city and region.  It is important to the Midlands because it will make a direct contribution to innovation led growth in partnership with industry and businesses.  However, this is not only a local launch but also a global launch as Design Factory Birmingham is a global innovation hub, and an integral part of the Design Factory Global Network involving 39 innovation hubs around the world.”

Aston University will share its expertise in artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing, data science, web, app and graphic design to support the local economy. The network currently comprises 39 innovation centers in 25 countries on five continents.

The Design Factory will also include a space named after the late Margaret Weston, a former director of the Science Museum. Dame Margaret, who studied electrical engineering at a predecessor institution to Aston University, left a generous legacy to the University, which will be honored at Design Factory Birmingham in tribute to her engineering background.

“We will be delivering a wide range of services including software application development, product design, creating protypes using a variety of technologies including laser and water cutting, digital and design training courses, and helping companies obtain innovation grants for projects.”

The establishment of Design Factory Birmingham underlines Aston University’s ambition to be a leader in science, technology and innovation, contributing to the socio-economic transformation of the city and the region. As a member of the global network, Design Factory Birmingham will participate in two global design challenges hosted by McDonald’s and Ford Motor Company. This initiative is not only a local milestone but also a global one, promoting collaboration and innovation sharing worldwide.