Hello!
Welcome to Week 8 of the Opportunity Forecasts! This week we will explore 3D Printing Technology, which is an improving and promising technology that will shape the future of education. First, we begin with the basics of 3D printing and introduce some terms. Then, we introduce classroom applications for students—from toddlers to adults—while weighing in on the pros and cons of using 3D printers in classrooms. Last, we discuss the latest developments in the industry and share market analyses. We have also included inspirational activities involving making, along with discussion forums to express your opinions. We hope you enjoy this Open Educational Resource. Let's start!
Let's Learn the Basics
The Machines3D printing turns a digital file into a physical model through an additive process. This process can use several different materials for printing physical models.
Materials/filaments include: Resin Plastics (PLA, ABS, or Nylon) Waxes (primarily for casting purposes) Metals (aluminum, brass, or steel) Machines are changing quickly and are becoming better at this very moment. Often, one of the most important factors when purchasing a new 3D printer, aside from the physical size of the printer, is the resolution that the printer can produce (how smooth is the finished part). The most common type of consumer grade 3D printers uses a part known as an extruder to deposit the softened material into its place. This is known as a Fused Deposition Modeling printer or FDM printer (pictured in the top left). This process results in a physical product that has a less than ideal surface finish; however, it is still very functional. Newer and more expensive printers use a liquid pool of resin material and cure the part with a UV laser, which improves the surface finish (middle left photo). These are known as Stereolithography or SLA printers, and are often used the in the creation of high tolerance parts. Parts can take much longer to print due to the small cross-sectional area of the UV laser . The last style of printer uses Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) (bottom left image). This is, by far, the most expensive form of 3D printing out of the three mentioned; however, it has the ability to produce parts made of various metals. This printer also requires a lot of time to produce a part, but results in a very accurate product. The raw material comes in a dry powder form and is heated to improve adhesion. |
Let's See a Printer in Action
The following video is a time lapse of an FDM printer printing out the Eiffel Tower. Enjoy!