The Centre’s Catalysts series shines a light on the diverse organisations, from tenants and innovators to collaborators and members, who fuel our ecosystem here at iAero.
We explore the unique capabilities and expertise they bring, demonstrating the collective power that makes our Centre a hub of opportunity and growth. Their success is our success, and their contributions are the reason to join our vibrant community and support the growth of the aerospace, advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors in Somerset.
Next in the series is Mark3D.
Mark3D is the leading expert on Markforged 3D printing technology. Since 2017, the team has been supplying, installing, and supporting composite and metal printers, materials, and software across Europe, primarily in the UK and Germany. Mark3D specialise in additive manufacturing, engineering design, and application development.
Mark3D’s commitment to education is a cornerstone of the team’s projects here at iAero. Through a partnership with Yeovil College (see the college’s profile here), the team has:
- Upskilled over 60 people within the local workforce ensuring a fluency in the language of 3D printing.
- Launched an Education Series consisting of MATLAB integration to the intricacies of high-performance polymers and carbon fibre.
- Introduced the Markforged University curriculum, allowing engineers to master “pilotless drone” components and central tooling that are faster, better, and stronger than traditional counterparts.
The collaboration has turned iAero into a powerhouse of hardware. With a suite ranging from the FX20 (for large-format, high-temp aerospace parts) to the Metal X system, thus enabling complexity-free technology at the Centre.
In addition, the material the printers utilise Onyx, which is a nylon PA6 with ground carbon fibre, appeals to users because it can be used on its own or with other fibres to create extremely strong parts.
Ian Weston, Managing Director at Mark3D UK Ltd, commented: “In the world of aerospace, weight is critical. Mark3D’s technology allows us to create complex, lightweight geometries, ideal for helicopter components, that would be impossible to manufacture through traditional subtractive methods.”
Key Projects & Successes
Since 2022, the strength of Mark3D’s involvement has been cemented in a 5-year joint funded agreement, a unique five-way partnership with Somerset County Council, Leonardo UK, Markforged Inc, and Yeovil College.
This collaboration is more than the placement of machines in a room; it is a full-circle support ecosystem. From Mark3D’s vision of facilitating a smooth-running environment to Leonardo’s rigorous testing of flight-ready materials in its Structural & Mechanical Test Centre, this partnership ensures that every CAD file sent to a printer at iAero is a step toward a more competitive UK aerospace sector.
Furthermore, it brings together local government, industry, and academia to deliver the very latest in innovative manufacturing capability, which is benefitting local businesses and provides a vital contribution to upskilling the future workforce.
Mark 3D and iAero
Together, iAero and Mark3D are providing access to high-tech 3D printers for SMEs and the wider aerospace community in the South West enabling experimentation and learning that provides real tangible results.
Ian continued: “We are proud to commit our capabilities to the iAero Centre. It is a fantastic learning ground for aerospace and we have developed as a company through the collaboration, which has enabled us to foster new techniques and innovations.”