Made Smarter is set to place additive manufacturing at the centre of a regional industry event aimed at helping manufacturers assess how 3D printing can deliver measurable operational benefits.
The half-day event, titled Made Smarter – Discovering Additive Manufacturing, will take place on Wednesday 28 January 2026 at the Engineering Innovation Centre at the University of Lancashire in Preston. It will bring together SME manufacturers, technology providers, and academic specialists to explore how additive manufacturing is being applied in real production environments.
The programme is structured to provide a practical introduction to additive manufacturing, focusing on how the technology is already being used to accelerate production, reduce material waste, lower costs, and expand design freedom across multiple manufacturing sectors. Organisers say the event is designed to move beyond theory, giving attendees direct exposure to equipment, workflows, and use cases.
The agenda combines business case studies, expert insight, and hands-on demonstrations, allowing manufacturers to see additive manufacturing in operation and question specialists on its suitability for their own operations. The format is intended to support businesses at different stages of digital adoption, from early exploration through to deployment planning.
The event forms part of Made Smarter’s Digital Champions Network, a peer-to-peer initiative aimed at helping manufacturers build confidence in digital technologies by learning from others who have already implemented them. Additive manufacturing has become a recurring focus within the programme as adoption accelerates across the region.
Government data highlights the North West as a UK hotspot for 3D printing adoption. Since launching in 2019, Made Smarter North West has supported 27 manufacturers in investing £1.6 million in additive manufacturing technologies, backed by £442,000 in grant funding. These projects are forecast to create 128 jobs, upskill 117 roles, and contribute £15.6 million in gross value added to the regional economy.
Speakers at the event include representatives from Darwen Terracotta, which has used Made Smarter support to explore 3D scanning, robotics, and additive manufacturing as part of a wider digital transformation programme. Delegates will also hear from the creator of Additive Companion, a free resource designed to help businesses navigate the breadth of additive manufacturing technologies and suppliers.
The event concludes with a guided tour of the Engineering Innovation Centre, a £35 million facility housing specialist laboratories for additive manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, composites, intelligent systems, and aerospace research.
