A materials printer usually performs 3D printing processes using digital technology. The first working 3D printer was created in 1984 by Chuck Hull of 3D Systems Corp. Since the start of the twenty-first century there has been a large growth in the sales of these machines, and their price has dropped substantially.

 

The 3D printing technology is used for both prototyping and distributed manufacturing with applications in architecture, construction (AEC), industrial design, automotive, aerospace, military, engineering, civil engineering, dental and medical industries, biotech (human tissue replacement), fashion, footwear, jewelry, eyewear, education, geographic information systems, food, and many other fields.

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How does it work?

Using Goggle Sketch Up or CAD based system and packages anyone can start the process of making a three-dimensional solid object of virtually any shape from a digital model. 3D printing is achieved using an additive process, where successive layers of material are laid down in different shapes. 3D printing is considered distinct from traditional machining techniques, which mostly rely on the removal of material by methods such as cutting or drilling (subtractive processes).

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What are the possible applications in schools and classroom?

It is my opinion that this technology would support learners who suffer from Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities. For NLD there are 2 different classes of 3-D tools that I believe could help learners, and these 3-D tools can print items that have been designed, print items that have been drawn, and draw freehand in 3-D. Two are 3-D printers and the other is a 3-D tool. So far, with 3-D printing there are two individual printers that can be used. The first 3-D printer is the Cube 3D Printer and the second is the Doodle3D. The main difference between this two printers is that the Cube 3D prints objects that have been created in a computer, and the Doodle3D prints 3-D objects created from the learners drawings. Since arriving to the availability of the public people have found a myriad of uses for 3D printers, know it’s new use is in the classroom. The Cube 3-D Printer and the Doodle3D can aid students in areas like reading comprehension and visual-spatial difficulties. The printer can help provide deeper meanings into stories by helping create a model of the story, it can provide more insight into abstract concepts, and implications of literature. With this tool the learners can develop  better visual and spatial acuity and the ability to grasp and understand the big picture and hopefully master the material covered. Also, NLD affects physical motor skills and visual-spatial motor skills. The next 3-D tool is the 3Doodler and it sketcher with extruded plastic rather than ink. Some learners can trace stencils on paper and assembled a complete 3D object or just draw structures in the air. The learner can work on physical motor skills and create writing samples that they can inspect, they can take part on coordination exercises to improve graph-motor skills, and gross motor skills development. The learner can also work on visual-spatial motor skills and make 3D representations of mathematical objects, graphs, maps, geometrical figures, and they can improve their physical navigation by creating 3D maps of their surrounding area. 

 

Should it be used in the classroom? 

It is your choice as a schools district, administrator, teacher, or support staff to evaluate the needs of your students and if necessary find a way affording at least one 3D printer for the school. I believe that the benefits it brings outweigh the cost. 

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These are the 3D printers I have introduced and are currently been used by the district.