Tech Hubs Support & Equipment

Our Technology Hubs create an environment where Lincolnshire businesses can access cutting-edge equipment and valuable resources such as workshops and expert guidance. Whether you're interested in prototyping a product, innovating a service, or enhancing your existing product lines, our hubs are committed to supporting your objectives.

Whether you are at the drawing board, dreaming up a new product prototype, seeking to refine a service, or aiming to elevate your existing product lines to new heights, these hubs stand ready to propel your visions toward tangible outcomes. They are steadfast in their commitment to nurturing your entrepreneurial aspirations and business goals.

The Designblok Hub, a facet of this technological ecosystem, is equipped with a suite of 3D fabrication tools such as 3D printers, scanners, laser cutters, and CNC machinery, all complemented by expert guidance tailored to a multitude of industry sectors. The array of technology extends to UV printing and virtual reality experiences with Oculus Rift glasses, offering businesses a chance to immerse themselves in the potential of their projects. The hub also provides a gateway to 12 hours of fully-funded business advice and individualized support, specifically curated to boost your business and aid in the seamless integration of new technologies into your operations.

For inquiries and deeper insights into the Designblok Hub and its offerings, reach out via email at designblok@lincoln.ac.uk, or by phone at 01522 835097 / 837426. Discover more about the hub's capabilities and how they can serve your business. 

Simultaneously, the MoCap Hub is revolutionizing professional movement analysis and filming with advanced 3D and high-speed video technology. It provides specialized outreach, consultancy, and support that touch upon human movement, equipment modification, and industrial production methods. In collaboration with Designblok, MoCap Hub enriches our understanding of the interaction between humans and equipment.

For more information about the MoCap Hub, please contact FMulloy@lincoln.ac.uk, or call 01522 889980. The hub is based at the School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, and shares its digital presence with Designblok. 

Spearheaded by a joint investment from the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, the University Campus North Lincolnshire (UCNL) – a division of DN Colleges Group – has breathed new life into Scunthorpe's erstwhile Council building near Central Park. A groundbreaking multimillion-pound facility has emerged as a beacon of innovation, education, and collaboration. This newly minted establishment boasts a contemporary design, with three floors dedicated to advanced learning environments and event spaces. 

UCNL stands as a pillar of educational excellence, vastly enriching the regional landscape of higher education options for local residents and businesses alike. It offers a wide array of academic and vocational pathways, including Higher National Certificates and Diplomas (HNCs/HNDs), foundation degrees, bachelor's degrees, an assortment of short courses, and apprenticeships. Equipped with cutting-edge Industry 4.0 technology, UCNL is a cornerstone of the regional Institute of Technology, forging new career opportunities in the thriving fields of engineering, technology, and construction.

In alignment with its educational pursuits, the campus' Technical Business Skills and Innovation Hub casts a spotlight on the needs of the SME sector. This hub is meticulously designed to serve as a nucleus for business networking and community engagement. Its goal is ambitious yet clear-cut: to catalyze innovative employer investment in skills and dismantle the barriers that often hinder investment in higher education and the attainment of advanced skill sets.

Businesses find a supportive partner in UCNL, gaining insights into both the potential challenges and opportunities presented by skill gaps, and are provided with strategies for resolution and advancement.

The campus also features expansive conference facilities on the top floor, alongside versatile classrooms and collaborative break-out areas, further complemented by the upgraded Chamber Lecture Theatre. These spaces are versatile, ready to host a myriad of events and activities, especially as we navigate a world where in-person interaction is increasingly viable.

UCNL's educational portfolio is diverse, offering courses in business management, engineering, technology, construction, healthcare, and childhood learning and development. Designed to accommodate various schedules, both full-time and part-time courses are available, providing flexibility for learners to balance their educational endeavors with other life commitments.

Home to over 1,100 higher education students, with more than 450 enrolled in programs identified as regional skill priorities by the LEP, UCNL is more than a campus—it's a thriving hub for knowledge, skills, and community growth.

Moreover, the Technical Business Skills and Innovation Hub is a bespoke initiative designed with the SME sector in mind. It acts as a central networking node, fostering innovative approaches to skill investment and breaking down barriers to training through higher education, all with the end goal of amplifying skill levels across the board. The hub also plays a pivotal role in helping businesses identify and navigate both opportunities and potential challenges related to skill gaps, providing tailored solutions to ensure continued growth and competitiveness.