A charity is holding a fun event to introduce people to the world of 3D printing in memory of the founder of a global Oxfordshire-based business who died in his early 30s.
The Sanjay Mortimer Foundation (SMF) was set up to support neurodivergent individuals into the world of engineering and making.
It is holding a RepRap Festival (SMRRF), a gathering of 3D printing fanatics, from newly minted makers to manufacturers, at Oxford's Examinations Schools on December 2 and 3.
Interactive activities, such as 3D printing, can provide an outlet for SEN individuals, helping them to realise where their talents and strengths lie, said the Sanjay Mortimer Foundation.
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The foundation is the legacy of Sanjay Mortimer, who was a co-founder of Oxfordshire 3D printing company E3D, who died in late 2021 at the age of just 32.
The firm based at Chalgrove Business Park supplies some of the biggest names in aerospace, including Airbus, Boeing and US government space agency NASA.
Mr Mortimer met operations director David Lamb on a PGCE teaching course at Exeter University and studied at Newcastle University with engineering director Joshua Rowley.
All three spent hours and hours “messing about with” 3D printers in their spare time.
Their master stroke was to develop a new, heat-resistant nozzle for printer heads – the key element of 3D printers, which controls the quality of the finished object.
Having made 100, they watched in amazement as online orders poured in from all over the world and they sold out in 48 hours.
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They moved to Oxfordshire in 2014, because of its closeness to Heathrow and London.
Mr Mortimer said: “I view a 3D printer as a magic machine that produces anything you want on demand – the possibilities are endless.”
The Sanjay Mortimer Foundation (SMF) aims to find neurodivergent individuals at an early age, and introduce them to a hands-on way of learning, primarily through making.
Engineering, in particular, relies on neurodiverse characteristics.
The fun event will offer live 3D printing demos, including chocolate 3D printing, 3D robot races, giveaways and raffles, a live auction and talks from industry experts including the founder of the RepRap movement Adrian Bowyer MBE.
There will also be the opportunity to meet some of the industry's best-known content creators such as James Bruton, Matt Denton, Joel Telling, Zack Freedman, Alan Mandic, Vector 3D, 3D Musketeers and Sam Prentice.
The RepRap Festival is at Oxford Examination Schools on December 2 and 3.
Tickets can be purchased for the event at www.sanjaymortimerfoundation.org.
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