Back and Better Than Before, Makers Central 2023!
Save the date - May 13th and 14th!
Bringing together thousands of makers and creators, the 2023 edition of Makers Central is coming back to Birmingham NEC sponsored by Vectric with a lineup that isn’t to be missed. This is the makers' event of the year, and we can’t wait to see all the exhibitors, sponsors and, of course, yourself back together in one place.
As before this year, How To members can enter the event at 9:30am on both days! Why not learn more about the many different perks of being a member?
We’re currently working hard on putting the final touches to our lineup, but guarantee it’ll be will be even better than our 2022 one. This means that attendees can look forward to the best, most engaging live talks and demonstrations. We’re seriously looking forward to sharing this info with you, so keep your eyes peeled on our socials.
Bringing together thousands of makers and creators from around the globe, the Maker Central event is a melting pot of passion for all things creative. With exhibitor numbers expected to be higher than ever before, you know you can look forward to exploring the wonderful, the weird and the well made!
Saturday
Saturday’s main stage line up is sponsored by Vectric, and Carveco, second stage. The main stage’s first talk/demo starts at 10:30 AM, courtesy of Vectric.
#CNC - Easy as 123 will be a discussion based around how makers can integrate computer-controlled cutting to revolutionise their making. Do you want to unlock the true power of computer-controlled machining? This talk will walk you through the latest and greatest technologies and techniques that have upped the game but not the price for makers.
Carveco is also kicking things off on their stage, at 11:00 AM with Rob Newman & Leighton Ashcroft leading a talk about design and machining software for makers. This session is ideal for you if you're eager to approach the world with curiosity, imagination, and a readiness to take chances and try new things when making!
Click here for the full Saturday schedule!
Sunday
As with Saturday’s event, Sunday’s main stage is also sponsored by Vectric, and Carveco, second stage. For those who missed it on Saturday, Vectric will be rerunning their #CNC - Easy as 123 talk, starting at 11:00 AM and then being repeated for a final time at 2:00 PM.
If CNC isn’t your bag, then you’re bound to love Eric and Ryan Rhoten. Their 1:15 PM slot on the main stage will see them demoing freehand carving. Their use of routers and power carving equipment is entirely freehand. Without the use of a CNC, they have an entire system that teaches individuals how to carve beautiful signs by hand.
Potentially one of the most exciting talks on the main stage for Sunday is Frankly Built & Emily The Engineer, who will be demonstrating their 3D printed Iron Man suites! Their talk centers around the power of 3D printing for cosplayers. By showcasing how to integrate electronics, they’ll be demonstrating how to print, fit and wear amour suits that are truly heroic.
Check out Sunday’s schedule here!
Workshops
As well as interesting talks and demos, one of the coolest things about the Maker Central event is the workshops. Workshops offer a fantastic chance for makers of all ages and skill levels to get their hands dirty at the exhibition and try out a mini make.
This year, we have 4 different workshops:
MadLab
Fancy getting to grips with a soldering iron? MadLab offer both adults and children the chance to learn about electronics in a unique, hands-on setting. Participants solder electronic components onto circuit boards that have been particularly designed during the workshop.
Head over to the MadLab stand at stand E42 if you’d like to make a burglar alarm, a lie detector test or to test your skills at one of their steady hand games.
Dremel
Dremel's presence at Makers Central is intended to demonstrate the variety of their fantastic tool line to all Makers, from those just starting out in their craft to seasoned artisans. Their goal is to inspire users to grab a Dremel tool and unleash their creativity.
Dremel emphasizes the limitless possibilities and capacity to make your ideas a reality for everything from home repairs and upgrades to design projects and hobbies, so head over to stand C30 to check them out.
Extreme Fliers
Join the Extreme Fliers stand and create your own drone. You will gain comprehensive knowledge of drones and the technical components of a quadcopter's flight. Find out how each component works before testing to see whether it can fly. The workshop is free and runs on the hour. Appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Spaces are limited, so booking may be required. For more information, check out the event’s website and check them out at stand A30.
Pyrography
Do you have a burning want to try something novel? During this year's Makers Central, you may learn the craft of pyrography. Watch the professionals as they use various tactics to demonstrate them, then try them out for yourself in the hands-on workshop! Create your design on wood with sessions offered all weekend long on a "drop-in basis"; select from a door plaque, coaster, or key fob.