Campus purchases new 3D Printer

 

Drew Young
Reporter

The Technical Education Center recently purchased a new 3D Printer. The printer replaces a previous model that recently stopped working.

The new model, a Makerbot Replicator , uses a plastic filament that is much is much cheaper than the original. It can print objects up to six inches in height and eight inches in length.

Students have machined several parts on the printer ranging from nuts and bolts to miniature scale mockups of products for companies. Printing a project can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the complexity of the object. The Easter Island Head shown in the video demonstration took three hours to complete.

“It’s going to give the students great practical application of what they’ve been learning,” said Kevin Newby, Drafting Instructor.

Several Computer Aided Drafting Classes will be offered at the Tech Center during the Spring Semester, which will utilize the printer.