Professor Alan Winfield of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory has announced via Twitter that the library of the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol has installed a 3D printer that’ll be free for staff and students to use and is this is a first for an academic library in the United Kingdom.

Just heard that UWE library has installed a 3D printer free for staff and students to use. First academic lib. in the UK to do this. Great!

— Alan Winfield (@alan_winfield) January 17, 2013

It’s good to see Bristol leading the way.

Update 22/01/2012 – Yesterday UWE issued the press release below:

UWE Bristol is leading the way amongst UK universities by making 3D printing technology available to all students by locating a 3D printer in the main university library.

It is believed to be the first 3D printer in an academic library in the UK. The new initiative is made possible through a donation from 3D Systems Limited.

3D print technology, also known as additive layer manufacturing, is a rapidly developing technology with applications in manufacturing, engineering and academic research. It is sometimes available to university students on relevant courses – such as creative product design or engineering courses. For example UWE Bristol already has 3D printers within the Faculty of Technology and in the leading Centre for Fine Print Research.

This new initiative now enables UWE Bristol, working with Bits from Bytes, a subsidiary of 3D systems Ltd, to offer the latest educational 3D printing technology to all students and staff in the main UWE library.

The machine, a triple head smoked 3DTouch, will be situated in the main library on the Frenchay Campus, where it will be available for all students and staff to use. During term time the UWE library averages over 2,000 users daily.

This new initiative will enable students to engage with the latest 3D print technology, and develop their understanding of how it can be used and applied in different subject areas. Students will be able to ‘draw’ their design in a 3D CAD package. Then using free downloadable Axon software the file will be converted through a process that will make it readable by the 3DTouch printer. When it is printing the 3DTouch print head moves back and forward, building up layers of thermoplastic polymer, as it prints the 3D object layer-by-layer.

Andrew Bathchelor, UWE Senior lecturer in Product Design, says, “This initiative offers a valuable new resource for students. By linking with Bits from Bytes we are able to bring the concept of 3D printing to all students. Many of our Creative Product Design, Engineering and Fine Art Students, are already familiar with this technology, and use it within their academic work in their own departments. However, by offering this to the wider student body, we hope to stimulate usage of this technology and help students develop their understanding of how it can be applied. We hope students will come up with interesting applications, relevant to their subject. For example our students who are training to be teachers can familiarise themselves with technology that their pupils may have access to in the future. In addition Architecture and Planning students may choose to use the technology to ‘print’ out models for project work. We are sure UWE students will be inventive once they begin to see the possibilities of this technology. The 3DTouch will enhance the extensive range of resources we offer to students though UWE’s library service.”

Iain Major, Co-Founder of Bits From Bytes, based in Clevedon near Bristol, and a UWE alumni says, “We are keen to support the first 3D printer into a UK academic library as it places 3D printing at the heart of the University. All students will now be able to print 3D components for free and it will be fascinating to see what designs they come up with. We are firmly committed to support all sectors of education and to encourage users of our machines to push boundaries with novel applications of the technology.”