The 3D Centre is a key interdisciplinary development and research workshop at the University of Pécs, established on the Rector’s initiative with the aim of linking research groups operating across the university’s various faculties through the application of 3D printing and visualisation technologies, and to provide a common professional platform for teaching, research and development activities. The establishment of the Centre was driven by the University of Pécs’s long-term innovation and applied development objectives, particularly given that 3D technologies offer significant research and practical potential in the fields of biomedical sciences, engineering and other scientific disciplines. From the outset, the initiative has been in line with the university’s interdisciplinary approach and has been closely linked to the University of Pécs’s efforts to strengthen the practical application of research findings.
Over the course of the 3D Centre’s operations, its professional portfolio has gradually expanded; alongside 3D printing, visualisation and modelling tasks, emphasis has also been placed on areas of development and research such as prototype development, materials testing, 3D scanning, casting processes and hardware development. The equipment pool and the accumulated professional expertise enable high-level support for a wide range of research and development tasks, including the development of bespoke technical solutions, the design of experimental systems, the preparation of testing and modelling processes, and the creation of physical prototypes. A particular strength of the Centre is that it bridges the gap between theoretical research and practical implementation, thereby helping to enhance the applicability of scientific findings.
In recent years, the activities of the 3D Centre have gradually shifted towards applications in medicine and the life sciences; the first major milestone in this regard was its affiliation with the Centre for Advanced Medical Technology (CAMTech) at the University of Pécs Medical School, which laid the foundations for closer integration between clinical and engineering expertise.
From April 2026, the 3D Centre will continue its activities as part of the Medical School at the University of Pécs, which will further strengthen links with the medical faculty and support for healthcare innovations. Within this new organisational framework, the Centre will continue to serve the university’s research, teaching and development objectives, with a particular focus on projects carried out within the Medical School’s professional environment or in collaboration with other academic disciplines at the university.
Our role in education
The 3D Centre – as part of CAMTech – plays a key role in medical education by supporting teaching and skills development processes. Our activities extend not only to the development of anatomical models and demonstration tools produced using 3D printing, but also to the design and manufacture of simulators and training aids that directly support medical education. The solutions we have developed – in collaboration with the Medical Skills Education and Innovation Centre – provide a realistic training environment for students and lecturers. Our research groups are also actively contributing to the modernisation of medical education in the fields of AR/VR-based educational solutions and clinical and pre-clinical skills development.
The 3D Centre also provides research-oriented professional support for educational activities. Staff members supervise undergraduate dissertations and doctoral research, assist with preparation for the OTDK, and facilitate students’ participation in research and development projects. We also assist students with specific tasks required for their dissertations or publications (such as the production of test specimens and materials science measurements).
Through its supervision and research collaborations, the Centre contributes to fostering high-calibre young academics and to strengthening an applied approach to technology and innovation in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The Centre’s technological infrastructure and professional expertise enable students to gain practical experience using state-of-the-art additive technologies as part of their research work.