You think it, we make it
PHTA's Makerspace
Bridging the gap between concept and reality, PHTA’s Makerspace provides the latest kit, specialist expertise and collaborative environment you need to accelerate your product development – in medtech and beyond.
Our Makerspace is more than just a prototyping facility – it’s a hub for ingenuity, designed to support researchers, startups, and entrepreneurs as they develop the next generation of healthcare technologies for patients.
From 3D, micro and SLA printers to laser cutters, scanners and power tools, we have everything you could need to develop, prototype and refine your innovation – backed by expert technical support and training at every stage.
Enter the Makerspace
We offer
Ready-to-use equipment – walk in and start building, with access to our professional-grade 3D printers, laser cutters, scanners and more
Expert on-site support – in-depth training, personalised guidance and technical support from our specialist engineering team who’ll ensure you get the most from every tool
Design support – if you’re starting from scratch, send us your design ideas and our team will turn them into reality. Or, if you have design files, we can optimise them for functionality and manufacturability, ensuring your prototypes are built right, first time
Full, fast prototyping service – no time to build it yourself? Send us your design files and we’ll fabricate the parts quickly and precisely – ready for testing and demonstration quickly and professionally
Why choose PHTA’s Makerspace?
When it comes to developing the next generation of medtech solutions, having the right expertise on your side makes all the difference. Working with us, you’ll have access to our dedicated on-site technical team from the outset and throughout – whatever level of support you need.
Beyond cutting-edge equipment, we also offer something just as valuable: direct connections to world-class clinical-academic expertise. Our close links with the University of Birmingham’s School of Engineering, the Healthcare Technologies Institute, and MD-TEC provide unparalleled access to researchers, clinicians, and industry specialists who can help guide your development process. Whether you need insights on regulatory pathways, materials selection, or clinical validation, we connect you with the right experts to accelerate your innovation journey.
Our kit
Our facility is equipped with state-of-the-art tools designed for medtech innovation, rapid prototyping, and product development, including…
Boston Micro Fabrication S240 Micro printer
- Ultra-high resolution 3D printer for producing engineering-grade materials on the micron scale
- Printing in photosensitive resins and ceramics
- XY optical resolution of 10μm and positional accuracy of 1μm
- Build volume of 100 x 100 x 75 mm
- Adjustable layer thickness of 10-40μm
- Achievable surface roughness of 0.4μm Ra on part top, and 1.5μm Ra on part side
Ultimaker S8 Pro FDM 3D Printers
- Ideal for rapid prototyping in low-temperature polymers
- Large build volume of 330 x 240 x 300mm
- Dual extrusion
- Adjustable layer height of 60-400μm
- XY print speed of 500mm/s
Formlabs Form 4 SLA Printer
- Stereolithography printer for high-detail, advanced material printing
- Build volume of 200 x 125 x 210 mm
- Adjustable layer height of 25-300μm
- XY resolution: 50μm
- Rigid, flexible, tough and high temperature materials available
Laserscript LS6090 Pro Laser Cutter
- Engraving and cutting in acrylics, paper, fabric, rubber and wood
- Cutting area of 600 x 900 mm
- Locational precision of <10μm
Artec Spider II 3D Scanner
- Full colour scanning in intricate detail of small objects
- Scan resolution and accuracy of 50μm
- Output in 3D mesh files (including OBJ and STL), CAD files (including STEP and IGES) and measurement files (including CSV and DXF)
Ash Omni 3 Microscope
- Digital microscope and measurement system for inspection and measurement
- Optical magnification range of 2.5-68
- Digital magnification range 69-136.5
- Maximum field of vision 200 x 76 mm
- Camera resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels
ZEISS MetroTom 1 CT scanner
In collaboration with TriMech Manufacturing Solutions, we can offer access to CT scanning via their ZEISS MetroTom 1 CT scanner.
- Non-destructively inspect the internal features of an item for defects
- Capture precise 3D data without the need for part preparation
- Ideal for measuring and inspecting medical devices, moulds and 3D prints
- Measuring volume of 165 mm × 140 mm in size
- 160 kV X-ray source for measuring plastic parts and lightweight metals
- Learn more here
Soldering and electrical test station
- Fully equipped with soldering irons, hot air systems, desoldering systems, power supplies, oscilloscopes and function generators
Tools and consumables
- Hand tools including sockets, spanners, screwdrivers, pliers, allen keys, files, hacksaws and measurement tools
- Power tools including cordless drill, jigsaw, circular saw, dremel, pillar drill, benchtop lathe and benchtop mill
- Stock of a small quantity of mechanical and electrical consumables including nut, bolts, washers, cable ties, heatset inserts, header pins, stripboard, electrical wire, resistors
Makerspace services
Our Makerspace is built to accelerate innovation in healthcare, life sciences, and research. Whether you’re developing a device, refining a concept, or validating a prototype, we offer two clear service pathways:
Self-usage – independent access to equipment
Walk in and start building, with access to our professional-grade 3D printers, laser cutters, electronics benches and more.
How it works:
- Onboarding required: a short induction session is provided to ensure safe and proper use of equipment
- Pay-as-you-go pricing: charges vary based on equipment type and usage time
- Some equipment must be pre-booked
- Technical support and troubleshooting available from our on-site experts
Ideal for experienced users who prefer to manage their own workflow.
Consulting – tailored design and development support
For those seeking specialist support, we offer a customised consulting service that begins with a free initial consultation.
From early-stage concept development to functional prototypes and design for manufacturing, our team collaborates closely with you to provide:
- Material and methodology guidance
- CAD modelling and design optimisation
- Functional prototyping and iterative development
Whether you’re advancing a research project, preparing for clinical trials, or exploring commercialisation pathways, we adapt our support to meet your project’s specific needs.