Research Computing Services Blog

3D Printing Summer School: Five busy days, one awesome event! (Part 2)

By Paul Mignone

Day 3

Day 3 starts off with mission impossible: A ‘brief’ introduction to Blender for first time users. While Blender is a powerful 3D modelling package, I’m still convinced that the interface was designed for advanced, cephalopod-like aliens from a distant galaxy. Nevertheless, trainer Dr. Jonathan Merritt fantastic tutorials made it look easy, with the students picking it up very quickly! By the end of his 90 minute introduction, students were able to use Blender to build basic structures, such as houses and cams for engineering applications.

Jonathan (a.k.a ‘Blender-meister’) making it look easy…

Next up was me (i.e., Paul Mignone) giving a presentation on advanced material properties, extending on the material presented by Dinesh on day 2. In my talk, I ask the students, “Would I use 3d printed Stanford bunny to hold up a chair?” While students argued over the answer, I finally intervened with the correct one: It depends.

The bunny could be used but it would need to be fit for purpose (i.e. designed to do the job it was meant to do). For the bunny to be fit for purpose, it needs to be both designed correctly and use the correct materials. Therefore in this lecture I educate the students on the specific material properties and how to determine which materials should be used if you were to print a structurally sound object.

Whether it’s metal or plastic, knowing material properties are critical!

The last lecture of the day was by 3D printing Jedi masters Scott Wilson and Adrian Di Lorenzo. In this lecture and workshop session, both Adrian and Scott educated the students about how to use the UP! Printers PROPERLY. They teach the students about printing objects at different infill densities, with printed supports and how to troubleshoot failed prints. 

Scott and Adrian’s teachings ensure that you can print-to-success!

Day 4

Day 4 started with me (i.e., Paul Mignone) asking the question again “would I use 3d printed Stanford bunny to hold up a chair?” However the focus this time was on the design element of 3D printed objects. In this section in demonstrate how printing in the correct orientation, or removing sharp corners from your design can spell the difference between a product the can hold your body weight, and a product that will catastrophically fail. Students were given simple, 3d printed parts and instructed to break them. By the end, students were amazed how a little test can tell them so much about the quality of their printed object. 

Which one was easier to break?

The last lecture of the course (and easily the most fascinating), was conducted by Robbie Fordyce and Luke Heemsbergen on the legal issues behind 3D printing, as well as the technology’s impact on society. From creative commons, to white power groups, Robbie and Luke mesmerised the class with how this disruptive technology has (and will) change us as a society forever. 

Robbie and Luke showing how 3D printing is changing society and its institutions…

With the last of the training days completed, all that was left was for the students to put their new skills to the test in the 3D printing business challenge!  Who ends up taking the prize? Find out in part 3! Photos from Day 1 and Day 2 can be found on Facebook here.