3D printers give engineering classes a boost
High schools, colleges using rapidly developing technology to illustrate real-world applications of technology lessons
By Laura Devaney, Managing Editor
Read more by Laura Devaney
3D printers help students turn designs such as this one into actual models.
As technology transforms learning in classrooms across the nation, 3D printing, in which three dimensional objects are created through a system that successively layers materials on top one another, is taking hold in classrooms–and is helping to attract more students to technology-rich fields such as engineering.
Modern design uses a technology called CAD, which stands for computer-aided design, to represent 3D objects in a digital file. Today’s CAD software lets users create and draw objects in 3D, and those designs are brought to life via 3D printers.
Companies that manufacture 3D printers for education include Z Corporation, Dimension Printers (a Stratasys brand), and 3D Systems Corp.
A handful of different approaches can create 3D printed objects. One method, developed by 3D printing manufacturer Stratasys, is called fused deposition modeling (FDM). FDM uses a polymer that is heated and deposited by a nozzle, in separate layers, into a pre-made model using an STL file.
Digital light processing (DLP) exposes a liquid polymer to light from a DLP projector, which causes the liquid polymer to harden as a “build plate” shapes the layers. Z Corporation’s ZBuilder Ultra uses this type of system.
Another method uses a printer to spread a thin layer of powder, which is then hardened by a laser to form the bottom layer of the 3D design. Another layer of powder is spread on top of that layer, hardened, and connected to the first layer. This process repeats until the entire model is complete.
spawelko
April 25, 2011 at 3:08 pm
DoD STARBASE academies across the country have been using CAD and 3D printing with 5th grade students for the last 4-5 years. This has been a true success story. Our STARBASE Nebraska students are so impressed with the International Space Station lab modules they design on computers and then print out on the 3D printer. Many have commented they want to become Engineers due to this experience.
The principals, classroom teachers, school board members, and parents who visit our academy are always very impressed that elementary school students have this opportunity.
spawelko
April 25, 2011 at 3:08 pm
DoD STARBASE academies across the country have been using CAD and 3D printing with 5th grade students for the last 4-5 years. This has been a true success story. Our STARBASE Nebraska students are so impressed with the International Space Station lab modules they design on computers and then print out on the 3D printer. Many have commented they want to become Engineers due to this experience.
The principals, classroom teachers, school board members, and parents who visit our academy are always very impressed that elementary school students have this opportunity.
jcschweitzer
April 25, 2011 at 3:21 pm
I’m disappointed that an article like this doesn’t mention open source 3D printers like the MakerBot or RepRap Mendel. For the price of the devices mentioned in the article you can build ten or more of the above devices. Plus you get the engineering challenge of building them yourself.
jcschweitzer
April 25, 2011 at 3:21 pm
I’m disappointed that an article like this doesn’t mention open source 3D printers like the MakerBot or RepRap Mendel. For the price of the devices mentioned in the article you can build ten or more of the above devices. Plus you get the engineering challenge of building them yourself.
ctdahle
April 25, 2011 at 5:59 pm
$15,000 — $60,000 is a prohibitive cost for any but the wealthiest school districts.
You might have mentioned that alternatives– for example RepRap http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page can be constructed from scratch for around $800. Such a machine is not only more cost effective, it delivers a stronger educational punch with kids not only printing their own 3d parts, but engineering the printer itself.
ctdahle
April 25, 2011 at 5:59 pm
$15,000 — $60,000 is a prohibitive cost for any but the wealthiest school districts.
You might have mentioned that alternatives– for example RepRap http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page can be constructed from scratch for around $800. Such a machine is not only more cost effective, it delivers a stronger educational punch with kids not only printing their own 3d parts, but engineering the printer itself.
anniet
May 9, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Another company that manufactures 3D printers is 2BOT. One of the fields they are targeting is education and students. One of their 3D printers is called the classroom ModelMaker. The ModelMaker cuts models/objects out of foam; therefore, it is very inexpensive to make models for the classroom.
Also 2BOT is compatible with Google SketchUp and Google 3D warehouse. This means that students can design their models in SketchUp or download a model off of the 3D warehouse. It is very convenient and easy to use.
Here is a YouTube video I discovered while researching 2BOT and their ModelMaker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJDI7yX-XaI&feature=related
anniet
May 9, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Another company that manufactures 3D printers is 2BOT. One of the fields they are targeting is education and students. One of their 3D printers is called the classroom ModelMaker. The ModelMaker cuts models/objects out of foam; therefore, it is very inexpensive to make models for the classroom.
Also 2BOT is compatible with Google SketchUp and Google 3D warehouse. This means that students can design their models in SketchUp or download a model off of the 3D warehouse. It is very convenient and easy to use.
Here is a YouTube video I discovered while researching 2BOT and their ModelMaker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJDI7yX-XaI&feature=related