dr. Arik Rindfleisch et al. In 2013, Vishal Sachdev opened the first 3D printing lab in a business school, the Illinois Maker Lab on the campus of the University of Illinois. The lab was opened without direct funding from the university, but over time it has become a meeting place for students, community members interested in rapid prototype development, small batch production and 3D printing education.
The first printers they worked with were unreliable and gave them a lot of problems. However, everything changed at the end of 2015 when the laboratory was equipped with Ultimaker printers. The opportunity to work with Cura, as well as access to the Ultimaker community, also influenced their decision.
Arik says: “We maintain and repair the printers ourselves in our laboratory. We needed reliable machines, with better customer support, and we got to know Ultimaker through the 3D community."
" ... We started cooperation with Ultimaker a little over a year and a half ago, and we are very satisfied with the machines."
MakerLab's facility has 20 printers, including the Ultimaker 3, Ultimaker 2+, Ultimaker 2 GO and Ultimaker Original. The use of the printer is not limited to just one area, students from all over the campus take advantage of 3D printing technology for a variety of projects and the lab has several hundred visits during a semester.
Arik and Vishal direct the work of the laboratory in two directions: education and digital production. The lab has two goals: opportunities for students interested in 3D printing and working with community members who would benefit from additive manufacturing.
"3D printing allows small companies to emerge, whether they are startups or people working part-time. We pay attention to both. In addition to our desire to educate young people, we are a small, digital 3D printing shop."
3D printing allows not only students to learn, but also to make connections with the business community, which generates revenue for MakerLab.
Beginner? No problem!
In the MakerLab, you have ample opportunity to learn and experiment with design. In 2016 alone, over 100 workshops were held for students and community members, where they gained the knowledge necessary for successful 3D printing. The workshops covered everything from the basics of 3D printing to making 3D models using Tinkercad and Fusion 360. Those interested could also learn about 3D scanning, or sign up for a workshop on Minecraft and 3D printing.
After the introductory four workshops, participants received a Digital Maker Certificate, which confirms that they have basic knowledge and skills for designing and printing models, as well as for working in CAD software, such as Autodesk and Tinkercad. Workshops like these are the basis for rapid prototyping and 3D design, key factors in preparing students to work in industries that rely on digital manufacturing.
Although much of the MakerLab's revenue comes from the workshops and events they host, the staff also relies on donations and printing to fill gaps in the budget. Anyone can order a model printed, in person or online, since MakerLab is part of the 3D Hub network.
"We joined the 3D Hub network in January this year and since then we've had 50, 60 orders a month." Apart from Arik and myself, who help out, the day-to-day operations are run by the students,” says Vishal. By controlling the printing process from start to finish, student volunteers gain valuable experience that they will be able to use after their studies.
Creative learning for young minds
When not dealing with 3D printing orders, students and volunteers at the Illinois MakerLab are busy at summer camps. The camps, for kids 9 and up, combine 3D printing with hobbies and learning.
The camp program includes a large number of ideas, which connect design thinking with 3D printing technology. For example, how the NASA team will one day settle on Mars with the help of advanced manufacturing technology.
"We include other digital skills like working with microcontrollers in the summer camps," says Vishal. "We combine that with coding and a bit of soldering to, for example, make a drone with a 3D printed frame." Or we use coding... We use modeling and printing to create a framework, a shell for the final product, but the kids can explore different content."
Initiating changes in education
In addition to their commitment to education and community outreach, Arik and Vishal want to make MakerLab at the University of Illinois the go-to educational institution for desktop 3D printers. In order to achieve this goal, they offer 3D printing courses in their premises and online, on Coursera.
"Making things" course led by dr. Rindfleish provides very specific and usable knowledge. Students can plan, design and print the models they envision, as well as promote them to "measure" the success of their creation. "Digital making" is a course taught by Dr. Sachdev, whose goal is to teach students to use the various tools and technologies necessary for digital production. dr. Sachdev encourages students to explore IoT (Internet of things) alongside research into e-textiles, such as those used for innovative smart clothing designs.
There are currently several courses available to students and several more in the pipeline. One of them, 3D printing hardware, was developed by Matt Griffin of Ultimaker. The second course, 3D Printing Software is by Jeffrey Smith of Autodesk. In the future, Arik and Vishal hope that their 20 Ultimaker printers will continue to prepare students for the next industrial revolution.
Arik and Vishal like to say that schools can use 3D printing not only for startups but also for awareness.
"We use this technology to bring students closer to the idea that they don't have to buy things that are someone else's idea." Instead, using 3D printing, they can turn their ideas into objects."
MakerLab's facility has 20 printers, including the Ultimaker 3, Ultimaker 2+, Ultimaker 2 GO and Ultimaker Original. The use of the printer is not limited to just one area, students from all over the campus take advantage of 3D printing technology for a variety of projects and the lab has several hundred visits during a semester.
Arik and Vishal direct the work of the laboratory in two directions: education and digital production. The lab has two goals: opportunities for students interested in 3D printing and working with community members who would benefit from additive manufacturing.
"3D printing allows small companies to emerge, whether they are startups or people working part-time. We pay attention to both. In addition to our desire to educate young people, we are a small, digital 3D printing shop."
3D printing allows not only students to learn, but also to make connections with the business community, which generates revenue for MakerLab.
Beginner? No problem!
In the MakerLab, you have ample opportunity to learn and experiment with design. In 2016 alone, over 100 workshops were held for students and community members, where they gained the knowledge necessary for successful 3D printing. The workshops covered everything from the basics of 3D printing to making 3D models using Tinkercad and Fusion 360. Those interested could also learn about 3D scanning, or sign up for a workshop on Minecraft and 3D printing.
After the introductory four workshops, participants received a Digital Maker Certificate, which confirms that they have basic knowledge and skills for designing and printing models, as well as for working in CAD software, such as Autodesk and Tinkercad. Workshops like these are the basis for rapid prototyping and 3D design, key factors in preparing students to work in industries that rely on digital manufacturing.
Although much of the MakerLab's revenue comes from the workshops and events they host, the staff also relies on donations and printing to fill gaps in the budget. Anyone can order a model printed, in person or online, since MakerLab is part of the 3D Hub network.
"We joined the 3D Hub network in January this year and since then we've had 50, 60 orders a month." Apart from Arik and myself, who help out, the day-to-day operations are run by the students,” says Vishal. By controlling the printing process from start to finish, student volunteers gain valuable experience that they will be able to use after their studies.
Creative learning for young minds
When not dealing with 3D printing orders, students and volunteers at the Illinois MakerLab are busy at summer camps. The camps, for kids 9 and up, combine 3D printing with hobbies and learning.
The camp program includes a large number of ideas, which connect design thinking with 3D printing technology. For example, how the NASA team will one day settle on Mars with the help of advanced manufacturing technology.
"We include other digital skills like working with microcontrollers in the summer camps," says Vishal. "We combine that with coding and a bit of soldering to, for example, make a drone with a 3D printed frame." Or we use coding... We use modeling and printing to create a framework, a shell for the final product, but the kids can explore different content."
Initiating changes in education
In addition to their commitment to education and community outreach, Arik and Vishal want to make MakerLab at the University of Illinois the go-to educational institution for desktop 3D printers. In order to achieve this goal, they offer 3D printing courses in their premises and online, on Coursera.
"Making things" course led by dr. Rindfleish provides very specific and usable knowledge. Students can plan, design and print the models they envision, as well as promote them to "measure" the success of their creation. "Digital making" is a course taught by Dr. Sachdev, whose goal is to teach students to use the various tools and technologies necessary for digital production. dr. Sachdev encourages students to explore IoT (Internet of things) alongside research into e-textiles, such as those used for innovative smart clothing designs.
There are currently several courses available to students and several more in the pipeline. One of them, 3D printing hardware, was developed by Matt Griffin of Ultimaker. The second course, 3D Printing Software is by Jeffrey Smith of Autodesk. In the future, Arik and Vishal hope that their 20 Ultimaker printers will continue to prepare students for the next industrial revolution.
Arik and Vishal like to say that schools can use 3D printing not only for startups but also for awareness.
"We use this technology to bring students closer to the idea that they don't have to buy things that are someone else's idea." Instead, using 3D printing, they can turn their ideas into objects."