A Place To Make And Create Officially Opened At Barnsley’s Dmc 02

23/02/2022 | Matt Snowden

A brand new maker space has opened up in Barnsley to enable businesses from the region to innovate, test and prototype for future growth.

The ‘MakerLab’, located at DMC 02, based in the heart of Barnsley’s new Digital Campus – The Seam, contains a wide range of equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC machine to enable users to create and test ideas and products.

The striking, new space which was opened on Wednesday 16 February, has been funded through European Regional Development Fund programme named ‘Digital Innovation for Growth’ delivered in partnership by Barnsley Council and Sheffield Hallam University. The programme provides companies with 12 hours of funded time to use the space, as well as access to academic experts, technical support, and will also feature an events programme running until June 2023.

The opening of the MakerLab saw over 80 people attend the sessions which included live demonstrations of the equipment including Augmented and Virtual Reality equipment. The sessions also highlighted the capabilities of electronics and 3D printing that allow companies to see the potential for product development and testing.

Matt Roberts, CTO and co-founder of Binary Forge Solutions, based at DMC 01, said: “To see this space at DMC 02 is fantastic, we’ve already had an induction on the Laser cutter and the possibilities with the space are phenomenal.

We moved to the DMC because we were very impressed with the support for innovative digital businesses here. There is such a buzz about the place and everyone is interested in what you are doing and keen to support your success. We’re looking forward to now being able to test out new ideas and create prototypes for more IoT solutions.”

Cllr Tim Cheetham, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “It is brilliant that the DMC has been able to open the MakerLab with such an informative event. The space is perfect for supporting businesses to think creatively about new ideas.

“We want to allow businesses to thrive in Barnsley and the MakerLab and the programmes running it allow us to invite businesses to come and use it, dedicating time to think about product development and testing. the goal is to encourage companies across all sectors to innovate using digital technologies, for new businesses to be born out of the space, creating new jobs and business growth in the borough.”

Darren Lindley of Architectural company Hive 51, said: “The space here is great and really eye opening for potential use. We’ve been able to look at 3D printing and Virtual reality with experts in the field which for our business is of particular interest for future thinking

The Digital Innovation for Growth Programme is available to businesses across the Sheffield City Region who are looking to make the most of digital technology to grow, improve products, maximise efficiency and adopt new ways of working. The programme is available to SMEs across the Sheffield City Region, as well as Chesterfield, North-East Derbyshire, Derbyshire Dales, Bolsover and Bassetlaw. To find out more about the programme, email: DMC@barnsley.gov.uk