Key Stage 5 - Additive Manufacturing

A plant pot with some herbs growing out of it

What is Additive Manufacturing?

Additive manufacturing is the process of creating an object one layer at a time. There are a number of different types of additive manufacturing, including 3D printing, direct digital manufacturing (DDM) and rapid prototyping. Traditional manufacturing techniques can produce a great range of shapes and designs, but additive manufacturing takes production to the next level.

One of the greatest benefits of this more modern technology is the greater range of shapes which can be produced. Designs that can’t be manufactured in one entire piece by traditional means can easily be achieved. For example, shapes with a scooped-out or hollow centre can be produced as a single piece, without the need to weld or attach individual components together. This has the advantage of being stronger; no weak spots which can be compromised or stressed.

Two plant pots sat on a bench, surrounded by chocolate and seed packets.

Our flower pots

Designed in conjunction with Relic Plastic, our flower pots are intended to demonstrate the flexibility and usefulness of additive manufacturing as part of a thought-provoking project into the positives and negatives of the process of recycling plastics.

The flower pots are manufactured from 100% recycled plastic, and using colour palette-matching. The colour scheme of the pots reflects the University's colours. Due to this process, every single plant pot is unique.

As part of this kit, you will receive one additively-manufactured plant pot, a seeds ball containing a selection of herbs, a compressed soil disk, two board pens, chocolate and a tea bag - have a cuppa on us!

If you would like a kit, please get in touch with stem@lancaster.ac.uk.