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Overview
Lancashire based Addison Precision has been serving blue chip clients for more than 40 years. From its purpose built, state of the art facility and under the latest ISO accreditations, the company delivers precision engineering and manufacturing across multiple market sectors from Aerospace, Medical, Industrial to Oil and Gas.
Projects range from high volume production batches to complex development programmes and new product introduction. Every stage is managed with a focus on accuracy, efficiency and quality.
Capability is underpinned by advanced systems including MRP scheduling, machine tool monitoring, Siemens NX CAM and QCT CMM programming, supported by the latest CMM and metrology equipment.
Services extend to superfinishing, CNC and multi axis machining, ensuring the highest standards are consistently achieved. .
With 50 employees and eight Early Careers apprentices, the company partnered with 3D 360’s Lancashire 3D Printing, 3D CAD & Industry 4.0 Skills Bootcamps to integrate additive manufacturing into its CNC operations. Within just six months, apprentices were reshaping production methods, compressing lead times from weeks to hours, and driving adoption across the workforce.
Background
The company already had two entry level 3D printers before the Bootcamps. Despite not being industry grade, they were transformative: apprentices quickly began producing marking out jigs, fixtures and work holding devices that previously required thirty day lead times.
Instead of designing in 2D, then waiting weeks for suppliers, the team now move straight from a 3D CAD model to part production. A single digital file produces both the component and its tooling – a shift that redefined how jobs were planned and delivered.
Programme Delivery
The training was funded through Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub, providing apprentices with an opportunity to develop new skills in advanced manufacturing. Apprentices valued the practical blend of 3D Printer Training, 3D CAD, Cura slicing and Industry 4.0 context. James and Tamsin described how every element connected together.
- The course was delivered in a “train the trainer” style, with apprentices teaching long-serving colleagues within a week of returning
- Interest spread quickly, with machinists who had 20–30 years’ experience staying late after shifts to try 3D printing themselves
- Managers described the impact as “invaluable”, noting five apprentices progressed from no knowledge to teaching colleagues in just a week
Outcomes & Impact
The company now uses additive manufacturing (3D printing) as a standard tool: “we cannot live without it”:
Lead time reduction
- Fixtures and tools that once took up to 30 days are now made overnight.
- 3D Printers run heavily, with capacity stretched to the point where the company plans to invest in more machines.
Workforce transformation
- Apprentices under 21 have “completely changed the factory” in six months, rethinking methods of manufacture even for products made the same way for 20 years
- A bottom-up shift in thinking: younger staff taught experienced machinists, sparking widespread adoption.
Digital workflows
- Apprentices now deliver end-to-end processes: CAD modelling, programming, machining.
- The CAD model has become a true digital twin, enabling flexible re-use across design, tooling and machining.
Productivity and morale
- Apprentices devised small machines to automate “boring, horrendous, dirty jobs”, freeing staff for higher value work.
- Everyday outputs include custom tool holders, drill racks and shop aids – small wins that cumulatively keep production flowing smoothly and reduce downtime.
Culture change
- Apprentices are no longer just trainees but drivers of innovation and process improvement.
Future Developments
Addison plans to keep taking two apprentices each year and put every apprentice through 3D 360’s Advanced Manufacturing Skills Bootcamps, building on a core group already trained.
Next steps include exploring hybrid manufacture using metal additive, followed by light CNC finishing, reducing waste and cycle times.
This forward looking path aims to lock in speed, material efficiency and resilience while steadily embedding growing in-house capability.
Looking to build practical 3D printing skills that deliver real impact and fast?
3D 360’s 3D Printing & Industry 4.0 Skills Bootcamps offer hands-on, industry-focused training that equips professionals with the tools to solve problems, improve efficiency and drive innovation. They cover 3D CAD, robotics, automation and much more. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upskill your team, these programmes provide a solid foundation in additive manufacturing.
Places go quickly, so register your interest or request a call back to find out more.
Delivered in partnership with Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub.
Objective
Equip apprentices and wider staff to use additive and 3D CAD to speed production, cut lead times and improve flexibility.
Solution
3D360’s Advanced Manufacturing Skills Bootcamps delivered hands on 3D CAD and 3D printing with a train the trainer approach that embeds capability back on site.
Outcome
Faster tooling and fixtures made in hours, end to end digital workflows, changed manufacturing methods and a business wide shift in thinking led by apprentices.
“We’ve got five guys now that within a week went from knowing nothing about it to being able to come back here and teach lessons…. even to colleagues with 20–30 years’ experience”... for me (the training) is invaluable".
“The fact that we've got guys that are younger than 21 completely changing our factory and the way that we manufacture, our method of manufacture is amazing”
Just some of the 3D printed items made by the apprentices – a lapping tool, coolant pipe blanks and a “wand” used for super precise part marking.
