More Businesses to Benefit From 3D Training

News release

16th July 2013

Businesses are being given the chance to book training sessions on cutting-edge equipment at the new Lincolnshire Technology Hub in Mablethorpe.

Drop-in demonstration sessions are already available on the last Friday of every month, but the onlincolnshire team which runs the venture is now offering flexible training sessions on the 3D equipment so more businesses can benefit.

Since the hub launched six weeks ago at the Coastal Centre on Victoria Road, nine businesses have taken part in the drop-in sessions, but more than ten others have already been in touch looking for alternative days which would fit in better with their schedules.

Angela Driver from the Lincolnshire County Council-run onlincolnshire project, said: “This is an incredible resource for businesses and residents, and one that we want to ensure as many people as possible can get access to.

“The hub and its equipment is staffed by volunteers at the Coastal Centre, so there is scope to allow businesses the opportunity to come in for advice and training at a time that suits them.”

The hub has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It houses a desktop 3D printer, a hand-held colour 3D scanner and a high-precision laser cutter and engraver, while the Sharing Circle offers iPads, mobile phones with 4G, GoPro cameras and a GigaPan Epic Pro camera for creating panoramic images.

All of the equipment can be used on site or borrowed for free, with just a small charge to cover insurance costs and materials used. One person to take advantage of the training sessions is software developer Paul Read from Alford.

“I love the fact there is so much top equipment to experiment with,” said Paul, who used the 3D printer to develop a prototype mount which allows him to install a mobile phone on his bicycle.

“The design still needs tweaking but as the service is free, with the exception of a small contribution for the materials, it means I can refine the print a number of times to be sure I have it perfect. If I had used a print house it would soon get expensive.

“I also hope to learn how to use the 3D scanner as I want to be able to scan my head to make some mini Lego people with my head for my son and nephew. All in all I am really excited by the venture and hope to use it on a regular basis. I think it is an amazing facility to have in Lincolnshire.”

The centre is open Monday to Wednesday from 10am till 3.30pm and Thursday and Friday 10.30am till 3.30pm. Rooms can, however, be hired outside of these hours on agreement with the centre.

To find out more about the equipment on offer, or to find inspiration on how it could help you, visit www.digitallincs.com, drop into the Coastal Centre or call 01507 479165.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

About onlincolnshire

• Onlincolnshire is part of Lincolnshire County Council, working with partner organisations to promote good connections between people, services, communities and places. It is part-funded by the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. More information can be found at www.onlincolnshire.org.
• Some Internet users in rural Lincolnshire experience speeds of less than 1 Mbps. The UK’s average broadband speed is 7.6 Mbps, according to Ofcom.
• The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf
• The contract with BT concentrates on an intervention area of over 150,000 premises where existing or planned commercial roll outs would not deliver superfast speeds. This will mean that at least 94% of all premises should have access to fibre broadband by April 2016.

About the Coastal Centre:

• The Coastal Centre is being run by volunteers from the Boatshed charity
• Mablethorpe’s Town Manager Karen Froggatt is based at the centre
• Every Tuesday between 10am and 1pm centre users can also access advice from:

• The Credit Union
• East Lindsey District Council’s Housing Department
• East Lindsey District Council Health trainers
• New Linx Housing
• The Children’s Centre
• British Legion Community Voluntary Services
• Neighbourhood Management

• For further information about the centre, call 01507 479165 or visit www.mablethorpeboatshed.org/mablethorpe-coastal-centre.html

Cerri Delaney
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
07985 143990
cerri@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @CerriDelaney

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