Press Release
Thursday 9th April 2015.
Kitronik and Robox to work together to increase
accessibility of 3D printing in UK schools.
The potential of 3D printers in the classroom inspires partnership which could deliver 3D printers
and associated educational resources to up to 5,000 secondary schools.
Combining Expertise
Kitronik and Robox have announced that the two companies will work together to deliver the RBX01
Robox 3D Printer and a range of associated educational resources to secondary schools across the
UK. In total, 5,000 schools are being contacted regarding the partnership between Robox, one of the
UK’s leaders in 3D printing technology, and Kitronik, specialists in providing electronic project kits
and supporting resources to educational facilities and people interested in making their own
electronic projects.
Engineering Enthusiasm for D&T
The use of 3D printing in manufacturing and in the home, together with the amount of press
coverage surrounding the possibilities of this new technology, has resulted in an increase in interest
in 3D printing, both amongst students and teachers. 3D printing provides a fantastic way for
students to turn their CAD designs into real objects.
Inspiring a new generation to become interested in digital technology and engineering subjects has
been a national priority for many years. This has resulted in numerous high profile initiatives such as
the ‘Make Things do Stuff’ campaign launched by George Osborne in 2013 and the ‘Make it Digital’
campaign launched by the BBC last week (of which Kitronik is a partner organisation).
The Department for Education has previously trialed the use of 3D printers within the curriculum.
Following a report into their use which found that “3D printers have significant potential as a
teaching resource and can have a positive impact on pupil engagement and learning”1 the
Government invested a further £500,000 in extending the trial where the power of the 3D printer as
a powerful teaching tool was widely recognised.2
Kevin Spurr, Co-founder of Kitronik comments: “Inspiring people to create their own electronics
products, especially younger people, is a founding principle of Kitronik. We think that creating
products in the classroom through a combination of Kitronik kits & resources and Robox 3D printers
can also help pupils become interested in technology, make 3D printing a practical reality for schools
and motivate pupils to take their interest in technology further.”
Classroom Suitability
Kitronik and Robox are working together due to the suitability of the Robox 3D printer to the
classroom and the home hobbyist market, and Kitronik’s expertise in providing products and
resources to schools across the UK. Kitronik recently sold its 1 millionth electronic project kit and
works with over 3,000 schools and provides project resources through its website.
Kevin Spurr adds: “In our view the Robox 3D printer is perfect for the classroom and also hobby 3D
printer users because of its affordability and two year warranty, but also due to its unique features.
It has a dual-nozzle system which allows printing in an extremely wide range of resolution and at
print speeds up to 300% faster than the closest competitors. It also features the ability to pause and
resume print jobs, meaning mistakes can be corrected without having to start again, perfect for
school use.”
Safety a priority
Kevin Spurr explains why safety is crucial for use in the classroom “The printer is constructed very
well and it has a closing lid which is essential for classroom use as it will be used by children. During
the printing process, this lid locks into place which is important as the print bed and head can get
extremely hot. This reduces the risk of accidents and also the print process from being affected by
drafts from open windows in the classroom.”
Innovative software and access to downloadable designs
The RBX01 is controlled via Robox’s AutoMaker software which is included with the printer. This is
very easy to use and lets the user control every step of the print process. It also allows a user to
control multiple printers via one computer and also features direct access to My Mini Factory, an
online library of 3D printed designs which can be downloaded to the printer.
Kevin Spurr adds: “This fast access to a huge catalogue of designs is something we think will be very
popular with both school users and the home hobbyist.”
Chris Elsworthy, managing director of CEL Robox, comments: “We wanted to work with Kitronik as
they have always impressed us with their enthusiasm for inspiring young people to become
interested in electronics and design and technology. The company has a fantastic resource base and
range of projects available which is why they are so popular with schools across the UK. Pooling our
resources and products together will enable people to express their creativity and develop really
interesting 3D printed projects.”
An example of a completed radio that has been produced using a 3D printed case, for which the
print files are available from My Mini Factory, and Kitronik’s FM Radio Kit can be seen here.
The RBX01 Robox 3D printer is available through Kitronik for £833.25 excluding VAT (£999 including
VAT). This includes everything required for schools and home hobbyists to create a 3D project.
Specifically, this includes
 RBX01 Robox 3D Printer
 1 reel of filament
 Instruction manual
 2 year warranty
 AutoMaker Software
 USB stick and cable
 Tweezers
 High temperature lubricant
 Tool
For full details on the RBX01 Robox 3D Printer please click here.
ENDS
Notes to editor:
Supporting Evidence
1. Department for Education. 3D printers in schools: Uses in the curriculum. Enriching the
teaching of STEM and design subjects (October 2013). Full report available here.
2. Department for Education. New 3D printers to boost STEM and design teaching. (October
2013). Full news story available here.
Images
If you require high res images please contact Chris Mitchell at RedTree Public Relations on 0115 925
5499, 07743 897 748 or email Chris.Mitchell@redtreepr.com
About Kitronik
Kitronik is owned and run by two electronics graduates who believe that electronics should be
accessible to everyone. Since forming the company in late 2005 Kitronik has continued to produce
resources and products that allow teachers and hobbyists to get involved in electronics & coding. So
far the Company has inspired over 1,000,000 people to solder and build their very own electronic
project (the 1,000,000 figure is based on sales of electronic kits). The company supplies directly to
3,000 secondary schools and also via its website.
In addition to basic electronic kits, Kitronik offer a number of products for people who want to
customise their electronics. It offers a range of products that can be programmed by flowchart or
code to implement in their projects. The company is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of
educational e-textiles kits which allow people to add lights to their textiles project using its ElectroFashion range. The parts are connected (sewn together) using conductive thread that Kitronik has
specially made and require no soldering.
Every Kitronik kit has an accompanying teaching resource pack, allowing people to not only build the
kit, but to find out how it works. The resource section of its website is well received by teachers as it
contains a range of tutorials, datasheets, project ideas and interactive teaching which all make the
job of delivering exciting electronics easy. The extensive e-textiles resources cover all the basics as
well as a wide range of projects.
Further information & interviews
Further information can be found by visiting www.kitronik.co.uk.
Kitronik Co-founder, Kevin Spurr is available for interviews and further comments. Please contact
Chris Mitchell at RedTree PR on 0115 925 5499, 07743 897 748 or email
Chris.Mitchell@redtreepr.com for further information.
About CEL Robox
CEL have been perfecting their brand new desktop 3D printer Robox since 2012, and the world’s
most accessible, modular, easy-to-use additive manufacturing system is now available to everyone.
The Robox is the future of micro-manufacturing; with its HeadLock™ system, the Robox will operate
with different heads and users will have the opportunity to upgrade their Robox to become a dual
material printer, stylus cutter, milling head or 3D scanner.
CEL UK (C Enterprise UK Limited) is a British based product development company, started by
partners Chris Elsworthy and Kenneth Tam in 2008. The company is well known for its original
invention the ‘POWER8workshop’ which was featured on BBC Dragon’s Den and The Gadget Show.
The company designs and develops innovate new products which are easy to use and accessible to
everyone.
For more information please contact Emma Elsworthy emma@cel-uk.com telephone 08453 889 769.