Leonardo UK’s touch table uses 3D printing to power hands-on air combat simulation

At the Farnborough International Airshow, Leonardo UK showcased a tactile-digital interface designed to simplify complex concepts in air combat and sensing technology. The Future Combat Air Touch Table Experience—developed by Bloc Digital—combined an interactive tabletop, a large companion display, and a series of 3D printed tokens representing aircraft and systems. The installation allowed visitors to physically manipulate the tokens across a mapped scenario, triggering real-time visualizations and tactile responses that conveyed multi-domain interactions.

The system, now permanently installed at Leonardo UK’s Visitor Centre in Luton, was developed to bridge the gap between public engagement and technical communication. Users could explore how platforms such as the F-35, Eurofighter Typhoon, and emerging Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) interact in contested environments, without relying on dense diagrams or narrated briefings. Each token served as both a physical input device and a recognizable representation of a real-world asset, providing immediate feedback and promoting intuitive experimentation.

Physical tokens as real-time inputs

Bloc Digital produced the aircraft and system tokens using in-house additive manufacturing. These 3D printed components functioned not only as tactile props but as the control layer for the simulation software. Visitors could slide a token across the table, position it near a sensor node or threat vector, and see immediate visual and haptic feedback reflecting data flow and operational consequences. LED lighting and subtle vibration reinforced interactions, providing sensory cues without requiring verbal explanation.

The interaction model drew inspiration from historical Royal Air Force plotting tables, which coordinated operations through physical markers moved by hand. Bloc Digital updated this approach with embedded sensing and feedback mechanisms, allowing the touch table to register, interpret, and visualize decisions in real time. The multi-user setup encouraged collaboration, turning the surface into a venue for discussion and demonstration.

Durability and fidelity were central to the physical design. According to David Pheonix, 3D Artist at Bloc Digital, “These industrial-grade print processes help us capture the smallest of details from our digital designs and translate them into a physical form with a high-quality look and feel.” The tokens were engineered for high-throughput engagement, with smooth surfaces, precise tolerances, and structural integrity to withstand repeated handling during one of the defense industry’s busiest events.

Adaptable system with long-term use case

The move to a permanent installation extends the table’s utility beyond exhibition floors. Leonardo UK can now use the system for briefings, outreach, and internal alignment across stakeholder groups. Bloc Digital’s printing workflow supports this continuity, allowing new tokens to be produced quickly as platforms evolve or messaging shifts. Because the geometry, weight, and finish of each piece are tightly controlled, the software can consistently recognize the inputs and deliver reliable feedback.

Bloc Digital did not disclose the method used to track the tokens—whether through optical recognition, embedded tags, or fiducial patterns—but the design accommodates precise alignment and durability across sensing methods. By managing both the digital model and the manufacturing pipeline internally, the team was able to make iterative changes between events, including adjustments to form factor, grip, or visual emphasis based on user behavior and feedback.

Steve Bentley, Head of Sales & Solutions at Bloc Digital, framed the approach as part of a broader strategy. “We love combining technology, high-quality visualisation, and inventive delivery to bring complex solutions to life and engage both public and defence audiences. It’s what Bloc does best.”

Additive manufacturing at the front end of communication

Unlike typical applications where 3D printing supports backend prototyping, the printed artifacts here formed the primary touchpoint for visitors. Their role as both visual cues and functional controls required a level of print quality usually reserved for industrial-grade components. The tokens needed to perform reliably while representing Leonardo UK’s brand in direct engagement with customers, officials, and the public.

The touch table also demonstrated how additive manufacturing supports responsiveness. If a platform’s appearance changes—such as the addition of a new payload or sensor—the team can update the CAD file and print a revised version without tooling delays or supplier dependencies. That flexibility lowers the cost of iteration and ensures that public-facing narratives remain technically accurate.

As the installation continues to serve at the Luton Visitor Centre, its durability and modularity validate the design’s adaptability. The physical-digital interface allows diverse audiences—from engineers to students—to engage with evolving concepts in defense technology, using intuitive mechanics grounded in material trust. By embedding 3D printing into both the development and delivery workflows, Leonardo UK and Bloc Digital have created a communication tool that aligns with operational realities while inviting curiosity.