3-D printers available for student use at library
Posted by Linda Fulps
A student created this smartphone cover with a 3-D printer.
Students at Missouri University of Science and Technology now have access to two new 3-D printers at the school’s Curtis Laws Wilson Library. The Missouri S&T information technology department purchased the Stratasys uPrint SE and SE Plus printer systems to make the technology affordable and available for all students.
“We do have a number of 3-D printers in labs on campus, but these are the first to be available for any student to use,” says Greg Smith, chief information officer at Missouri S&T. “We’re looking to break even on materials costs and absorb other costs.”
The printers can create complex 3-D shapes using layers of plastic filament. Specifications come from modeling software or from the scan of an existing object. The printers can produce models of up to 8-by-8-by-6 inches in nine colors.
A student created this smartphone cover with a 3-D printer.
Using another 3-D printer on campus, a student recently created a smartphone cover with the Missouri S&T logo by altering a free design from the website Thingiverse.com.
“Something like that smartphone cover would print for less than $5,” says Cathy Allison, project manager for the effort. “It takes less than two hours to print and you can get very creative with it. And the final product is very durable.”
David Esping, manager of customer technical support and a member of Allison’s team, says he looks forward to seeing what designs students come up with. “I can’t wait to see their creativity,” he says. “It will be fun to see them go beyond their class or lab — to see some of our students’ brilliance shine.”
The IT department is partnering with the Wilson Library to create a remodeled design area next to the library’s Starbucks coffee shop.
“We are revamping all the technology with high-powered computers and all the software and tools students will need,” says Allison.
“Students will literally be able to sit down, design something, print it and have coffee while they wait,” adds Esping.
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Posted by Linda Fulps
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Terrific! The additive manufacturing (3D printing) is going to be a game-changer and S&T’s ME Department appears to be doing an excellent research work in this area.
Are the 3D printers available right now?
I do a lot of CAD design for my job and for fun, so having the ability to print things is hugely valuable to me.
Yes, the 3D print service is available right now.
Amazing… I’m very curious to use this device
This is so cool I want to make me a phone case. So is there a cost to using the printer? An is there someone there to help me understand how to use it. I’ve seen one before but have nevered used one.
Naturally, the school gets all the cool stuff AFTER I graduate… :-/
And AFTER Mizzou
What kind of design considerations do students need to keep in mind? And what 3d modeling software is compatible?
File type: Our Stratasys uPrint 3D printers accept only STL (.stl) files.
Finished product size:
uPrint SE: The finished product (part) can be no larger than 8 x 6 x 6 inches and no thinner than .010 inches.
uPrint SE Plus: The finished product (part) can be no larger than 8 x 8 x 6 inches and no thinner than .013 inches.
See this website for more information.
http://it.mst.edu/services/3d-print/
I remember back when we were top of technology by having access to a laser printer on campus (though the computer labs only had green-bar printers).
This is going to change club handouts too. Think of all the promotional club handouts one could create, Like tokens with the club logo or something even more amazing.