Digital design and fabrication
Facilities at the University of Plymouth's Brunel Laboratories

BRL W102a: CAD suite, laser cutter and 3D printers
BRL W2a: Range of CNC machines
BRL W2 Mez: Larger format laser cutters
The Brunel Laboratories' digital design and fabrication resources are ideally situated within traditional workshops, facilitating a blend of creative craft skills and modern digital fabrication techniques, linking sketched ideas via CAD modelling to final designs with quality physical outcomes, all with safety, professional practices and employability in mind.
Technical expertise, teaching and learning resources and workspace areas are available for you to utilise during your studies and throughout each stage of the design process, whether you are looking for inspiration, experimenting with ideas, creating CAD models, developing prototypes or manufacturing final outcomes.
Induction and demonstration sessions are available for students to engage in CAD modelling techniques as well as subtractive and additive manufacturing processes, enabling the development of 2D and 3D CAD skills, laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC tool pathing and CNC machining capability.
Having completed the relevant training, students can book these facilities through the SmartHub.
Experienced technicians are available to facilitate and explain processes for the production of large scale or more complex digital fabrication projects.
Laser Cutters:
1 × Versa (800×450 mm)
2 × GCC X380 Pro (900×600 mm)
3D Printers:
1 × Ultimaker 3 (215×215×200 mm)
1 × Ultimaker 5s (330×240×300 mm)
CNC Machines:
1 × Carbide 3D Nomad Pro 883 (200×200×50 mm)
1 × Roland MDX540 with 4th Axis (400×400×75 mm)
1 × Novakon Mill (400×300×250 mm)
1 × Denford Vertical Router (1200×800×85 mm)
CAD Suite:
6 × High spec CAD machines (with a range of professional software)
More information about the Brunel Laboratories' digital design and fabrication facilities is available via the SmartHub and Digital Learning Environment (DLE).
BRL W2/a, W102a, Brunel Labs, University Of Plymouth, Drake Circus, PL4 8AA
Monday: 09:00–17:00 | Tuesday: 09:00–17:00 | Wednesday: 09:00–13:00 | Thursday: 09:00–17:00 | Friday: 09:00–17:00 (last entry 30 minutes before end of day) | Access is via induction & agreement