Introduction and overview of 3d printing for higher education. Built for a June 2015 NERCOMP workshop, http://nercomp.org/index.php?section=events&evtid=430.

1. 3d printing in higher education
NERCOMP 2015

2. 1. Technology
overview
2. Uses in
education
a/k/a overview
and big picture

3. Ground rules for today
• Please ask questions. We forbid
embarrassment.
• We are assuming a baseline
awareness of being new to 3d
printing.
• Please contribute thoughts. This is a
rapidly developing field!
• Tweet away at #NercompPDO3

4. I. THE TECHNOLOGY
Wikipedia definition:
3D printing (or additive manufacturing,
AM) is any of various processes used to
make a three-dimensional object. In 3D
printing, additive processes are used, in
which successive layers of material are
laid down under computer control.

5. I. THE TECHNOLOGY
Industry definition:
3D printing or additive manufacturing is
a process of making three dimensional
solid objects from a digital file. The
creation of a 3D printed object is
achieved using additive processes. In an
additive process an object is created by
laying down successive layers of material
until the entire object is created.
http://3dprinting.com/what-is-3d-printing/

6. I. THE TECHNOLOGY
Several types:
• Additive (layers) (also material jetting)
• Powder bed fusion (“An additive manufacturing
process in which thermal energy selectively fuses
regions of a powder bed”)
• Binder jetting (“An additive manufacturing
process in which a liquid bonding agent is
selectively deposited to join powder materials.”)
• Sheet lamination (“An additive manufacturing
process in which sheets of material are bonded to
form an object”)
Quotes from the ASTM International Committee F42 on Additive Manufacturing
Technologies

7. I. THE TECHNOLOGY
Several types:
• Subtractive (block)
• Selective laser sintering and melting
• Stereolithography
• Extrusion http://the3doodler.com/
• Continuous liquid interface production
(http://www.popularmechanics.com/technolo
gy/a14586/carbon3d-3d-printer-resin/)

8. Parts
The printing materials:
• Plastic
• Filaments
• Metals and alloys
• Powders
• Concrete
• Photopolymer resin (stereolithography)

9. Parts
More printing materials:
• Paper based, Mcor IRIS,
http://mcortechnologies.com/school-art-institute-
chicago-discovers-power-versatility-affordable-full-color-
paper-based-3d-printing/
• Cloth (Disney: http://thenextdigit.com/20306/disney-
develops-printer-creates-soft-interactive-objects-
fabrics/) (High fashion: http://www.popsci.com/sxsw-
2015-3d-printed-fashion-activated-body)
• Food (Sugar: http://the-sugar-lab.com/ChefJet) (Cornell:
http://creativemachines.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/S
FF09_Cohen1_0.pdf)

10. Parts
Software
• Controller or client program
• CAD programs
• 3D authoring and editing (Sketchup, Maya)
• Pre-existing files (Shapeways, Sketchup 3D
Warehouse, Thingiverse,
http://nasa3d.arc.nasa.gov/) (.stl)
• G-code to translate file into printing
(http://slic3r.org/)

11. Parts
Scanner
http://www.technologyreview.com/news/535596/high-resolution-3-d-scans-built-from-drone-
photos/

12. Printer examples
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tbuser/4856161776/

13. Printer examples
Afinia
-filament based

14. Printer examples
Mcor IRIS, Paper based,
http://mcortechnologie
s.com/school-art-
institute-chicago-
discovers-power-
versatility-affordable-
full-color-paper-based-
3d-printing/

15. Printer examples
RepRap
• Open
source
hardware
• Can serve
as a
recycler
• (http://rep
rap.org/)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/watsdesign/17280506475/

16. A growing technology
• Replacement body parts, “bioprinting” (Yale:
http://news.yale.edu/2014/12/03/yale-joins-
leader-3d-organ-printing-transform-
transplants)
• Food
• LEDs (Princeton:
http://www.technologyreview.com/news/532
816/3-d-printing-bio-electronic-parts/)

17. A growing technology
• Aircraft parts
(http://www.bbc.com/news/tech
nology-32597809)
• Building components
• Entire buildings

18. A growing technology
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasamarshall/15628687807/

19. A growing technology
Challenges and issues:
• Intellectual property
• Economic impact (slow down trade?)
• Ecological impact
• Backlash (ex: guns)
• New era of individual customization +
creativity

20. II. 3d in higher education
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/7729488378/

21. Reasons to do 3d
visualization
• teaching
• also research
and creative
work
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:3D_printed_Spinosaurus_skulls.jpg

22. Reasons to do 3d
making stuff
• Prototyping
• Design thinking
• Sheer creativity
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2MSXh
o_KlU
Save $$ in object purchasing and replacement

23. Which academic fields?
• Classical studies and archaeology
• History (ex:
http://digital.vpr.net/post/students-
recreate-historic-buildings-3d-printers)
• Creative arts (i.e., fashion, studio art,
theater)
• Engineering
• Robotics

24. Which academic fields?
• Math
• Geography and geology
• Life sciences, allied health fields
• Media studies ("critical making")
• Business (study impact; new
opportunities)

25. Strategic questions
• What type of institution? (research
vs engineering vs CC vs LAC)
• Which disciplines show interest?
• Is interest aimed at research or
teaching?
• Will you partner with off-campus
interest and/or support?

26. Campus sites
• Library
• Makerspace (Abilene Christian
University,
http://go.nmc.org/rema)
• 3d lab
• Professor’s office

27. Campus sites
• Departmental office
• Multiple sites (Northeastern:
https://soundcloud.com/educaus
e/cni-podcast-patrick-yott-on-3d-
printing-services-at-northeastern-
university-libraries)
• Other…?

28. Operational questions
• Who owns the printing
ecosystem?
• Do you charge users?
(intra-preneurial
possibility)

29. Suggestions
•Outsource printing first
•Print playful objects
•Have objects to show

30. Acknowledgements
• Fred Hagemeister, University of
Richmond
• Debby Kurti, Table Top Inventing
• James P Mclean, George Mason
University
• Jane Livingston, Yale University

31. http://bryanalexander.org
bryan.alexander@gmail.com
http://twitter.com/bryanalexander