The latest Digital Champions Network Forum brought together manufacturers, technology specialists, universities and advisers from across the North West to explore how additive manufacturing is being adopted in real production environments.
Hosted at the Engineering Innovation Centre at the University of Lancashire, the forum formed part of Made Smarter’s wider Digital Champions Network, a peer-led space designed to help manufacturers learn from each other, build confidence and share practical experience around digital technologies.
Attendees included manufacturers at different stages of adoption, alongside academics and additive specialists, reflecting the collaborative ecosystem that underpins digital transformation in the region.
Demonstration builds confidence
One of the clearest messages from the forum was that successful additive manufacturing adoption depends as much on people as it does on technology.
This was illustrated by Siddique Rasul of Darwen Terracotta, who shared how additive manufacturing, robotics and digital tools have been introduced in a way that supports existing skills and craftsmanship.
Rather than relying on high-level explanations, Darwen Terracotta has focused on demonstration, showing teams how additive manufacturing can support design, reduce lead times and improve flexibility. In some cases, processes that previously took days can now be completed in hours. Additive manufacturing is used alongside CNC and robotics, complementing established methods rather than replacing them.
Crucially, this approach has helped build trust across the workforce and embed digital technologies in a way that feels practical and relevant.
Adoption does not require immediate investment
A complementary perspective came from Jonathan Rowley, who introduced Additive Companion, a free, technology-agnostic resource designed to help businesses explore additive manufacturing through real-world examples.
His key point was that adoption does not have to start with capital investment. Many manufacturers begin by working with partners, subcontracting additive work or testing ideas through pilot projects. These routes allow businesses to build understanding, fail early if needed, and make more informed decisions about future investment.
This measured approach resonated with manufacturers in the room who are exploring additive manufacturing alongside other operational priorities.
Support across technology, skills and leadership
From the Made Smarter team, Ruth Hailwood, Claire Scott and Will Kinghorn outlined how manufacturers can access structured support around additive manufacturing.
This includes Digital Transformation Workshops to identify where 3D printing can add value, digital roadmaps to guide adoption, leadership and digital champion skills programmes, and grant funding to support investment in technology where appropriate. The emphasis throughout was on aligning additive manufacturing with business need rather than adopting technology for its own sake.
The role of partnerships
The forum also highlighted the importance of partnership in supporting additive manufacturing adoption.
Bev Wood, Business Engagement Lead for the Research and Knowledge Exchange Service at the University of Lancashire, outlined how the university works with manufacturers across the region to provide access to facilities, expertise and opportunities to experiment with technologies such as additive manufacturing.
The Engineering Innovation Centre plays a key role in this, giving businesses a place to test ideas, explore applications and engage with academic and technical specialists in a practical, industry-facing environment. For many manufacturers, this kind of access helps reduce risk and builds confidence before moving further along their digital journey.
Experience from across manufacturing
The value of the forum was also shaped by who was in the room. Alongside the speakers, attendees included manufacturers and organisations such as Newland Conveyors, RedCAT Group, AMTRIM, Metis Automation, AT 3D-Squared Ltd, Northpoint Ltd, representatives from AMRC North West, the Mountain Trike Company, Fleming Howland, Lancaster University and Siemens Energy.
The diversity of experience in the room created strong opportunities for informal discussion, networking and knowledge exchange throughout the morning.
Learning from each other accelerates adoption
The forum demonstrated the value of bringing the additive manufacturing community together in a structured but open environment. By sharing real experiences, challenges and lessons learned, manufacturers are able to move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
For many attendees, the most important takeaway was reassurance: additive manufacturing is already delivering value across the region, support exists at every stage, and progress is accelerated when businesses learn from each other as part of a connected ecosystem.