Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media Laboratories (DFIML)
Technologies in virtual and augmented reality, robotics, 3D scanning and printing, and motion capture
The Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media Labs present a step change in the delivery of teaching, research and innovation for the University of Plymouth and local community.
Based within the
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business the labs offer access to cutting-edge technology such as motion-capture, augmented and extended reality and a wide array of digital fabrication tools which enable users to develop and prototype new products, services and experiences, create bespoke tools for complex and specialist research purposes and engage with new opportunities for innovative, interdisciplinary collaborations.
For students
We are dedicated to building a new generation of alumni with high in-demand industry skills, while broadening our vision and understanding of how these technologies will be shaping our society.
Therefore, we encourage our students to gain as much hands-on practice as possible with the technology available to them, empowering them to experiment and use the labs to bring their ideas to life in entirely new ways.
For staff
This new technology provides an opportunity for staff to push the boundaries of their research through innovative collaborations, knowledge sharing and the potential for prototyping and immersion unlike anything the faculty has seen before. What's more, with access to the labs, our teaching staff have the opportunity to engage students in an entirely new degree if explorative, innovative immersive learning.
For business
We deliver bespoke training sessions to help organisations develop a strong understanding of the value, implications and impact these technologies can have on their businesses.
Through a combination of knowledge sharing from our world-leading academics in the field and hands-on support from our highly skilled technicians, participants will leave with a thorough understanding of all aspects and capabilities of these technologies and gain a common vocabulary to build a constructive dialogue across all levels of the organisation.
Access these workshops by contacting ipandcommercial@plymouth.ac.uk
Digital Fabrication Lab resources
The Digital Fabrication Laboratory provides advanced digital fabrication resources to support design ideation, prototyping and product development This core facility supports research, enterprise and academic development in architecture, design and engineering. Through the use of cutting-edge technologies, the laboratory enables new solutions to close the gaps between digital media and physical production processes, forcing a step change in the way we design, make and build.
Digital Fabrication Laboratory hardware
Detailed information is available on the supplier's website linked from each item.
Fab Lab hardware resources
Universal Laser VLS6.60
60W laser cutter, bed 800x450mm, max 9mm cut depth
Artec Space Spider 3D scanner: Up to 0.05 mm point accuracy, accuracy over distance up to 0.03% over 100 cm, working distance 0.2-0.3 m. (including Artec Smart Turntable)
Artec Leo 3D scanner: Up to 0.1 mm point accuracy, accuracy over distance up to 0.03% over 100 cm, working distance 0.35-1.2 m.
Artec Ray long-range 3D scanner: 110m distance, ranging error 0.7mm @ 15m, 2 integrated 5 mpx cameras.
6-axis robotic arms VT6: 90mm reach, 3-5 kg payload capacity. This resource is operated in collaboration with the School of Engineering.
Monoprice Select Mini Pro 3D printer
Lab-in-a-box "portable" 3D printer
Digital Fabrication Laboratory software
Detailed information is available on the supplier's website linked from each item.
Fab Lab software resources
Aspire provides a powerful but intuitive software solution for creating and cutting parts on a CNC router.
Take a walk through our Digital Fabrication Lab
Our virtual tour allows you to see the space our students work in and the hardware they have access to. You can also watch videos about the cutting-edge technologies on offer.
Immersive Media Lab resources
The Immersive Media Laboratory provides facilities for 3D scanning and motion capture as well as a black box space to experiment with augmented (AR), mixed (MR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies. The space offers an opportunity for experimentation and interdisciplinary collaboration and is open to testing new games, products, immersive experiences, educational innovations and medical simulations to name a few uses. We welcome creative interdisciplinary collaborations from all sectors wishing to experiment with AR, MR and VR.
Immersive Media Lab hardware
Detailed information is available on the supplier's website linked from each item.
Immersive Media hardware
InstaPro 2 8K 360 Camera and Farsight for remote control and monitoring
Artec Space Spider 3D scanner: Up to 0.05 mm point accuracy, accuracy over distance up to 0.03% over 100 cm, working distance 0.2-0.3 m. (including Artec Smart Turntable)
Artec Leo 3D scanner: Up to 0.1 mm point accuracy, accuracy over distance up to 0.03% over 100 cm, working distance 0.35-1.2 m.
Artec Ray long-range 3D scanner: 110m distance, ranging error 0.7mm @ 15m, 2 integrated 5 mpx cameras.
Immersive Media Lab software
Detailed information is available on the supplier's website linked from each item.
Immersive Media software
Digital Fabrication Laboratory
Digital Fabrication Lab, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business, Roland Levinsky Building 112, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA