In 2013, Dr. Aric Rindfleisch and Dr. Vishal Sachdev opened the world's first 3D printing lab in a business school: the Illinois MakerLab at the University of Illinois campus.
Established without university funding, this lab, with its array of Ultimaker printers, has become a primary resource for small-batch manufacturing and 3D printing education for students and community members interested in rapid prototyping.
While their first desktop printers were frustrating and unreliable to use, the MakerLab only truly thrived after transitioning its entire lab to Ultimaker printers at the end of 2015.
The opportunity to work with Cura and the experience of accessing the Ultimaker pioneer community also influenced their decision.
Aric said: "We do all the maintenance in the lab and fix our own printers. We were in a situation where we needed reliable machines to provide better customer service, and the 3D printing community helped us become more familiar with Ultimaker."
"Ultimaker's development resources align perfectly with our 'make and share' mission. We established a relationship with Ultimaker a year and a half ago, and we are very satisfied with the machines."
The MakerLab has a total of 20 printers, including Ultimaker 3, Ultimaker 2+, Ultimaker 2 Go, and Ultimaker Original, operating for several hours in the business school.
These machines are not limited to students from a single department; students from across the university can utilize this advanced technology for various projects, with hundreds of visits to the lab each semester.
Students at the Illinois MakerLab experimenting with a 3D scanner
Aric and Vishal have two main focuses for the Illinois MakerLab: education and digital manufacturing. They not only want to provide opportunities for students interested in 3D printing,
but also aim to network with community members, allowing them to easily access additive manufacturing technology.
"3D printing enables more small companies to emerge, whether startups or part-timers, and that's our focus. In addition to our educational mission, we are also a small digital printing shop."
3D printing not only provides learning for students but also offers important connections to the industry and generates revenue for the MakerLab.
Beginner? No problem.
At the Illinois MakerLab, there are ample opportunities to learn and experience design. In 2016, they held over 100 workshops for students and community members, imparting essential knowledge for successful 3D printing.
All workshop content covers everything from the basics of 3D printing to creating 3D models with Tinkercad and Fusion 360. Curious makers can also learn 3D scanning or sign up for Minecraft and 3D printing workshops.
Upon completing four basic workshops, participants receive a digital maker certificate, proving their fundamental skills in designing and printing objects, as well as using CAD software like Autodesk and Tinkercad.
These workshops are crucial for rapid prototyping and 3D design, helping to prepare students for industries increasingly reliant on digital manufacturing.
Learning about Ultimaker printers at the Illinois MakerLab
While most of the MakerLab's income comes from workshops and events, staff also rely on donations and print orders to cover funding gaps. Anyone in the community can order prints online in person,
as the MakerLab is part of the 3D Hubs network.
Vishal said, "We just launched on 3D Hubs this January, and we've been doing about 50-60 orders a month. Apart from Aric and me providing ideas, all daily operations are handled by students."
Allowing student volunteers to control the printing process from start to finish provides a tangible experience even after graduation.
Providing creative learning for young people
When they are not processing 3D printing orders, students and volunteers at the Illinois MakerLab engage young people through summer camps and parties. These camps are specifically designed for children aged 9 and above,
combining an interest in 3D printing with learning. Camp curricula cover a wide range of knowledge related to design thinking and 3D printing technology, such as NASA teams solving Mars problems in a day with the help of advanced manufacturing techniques.
Vishal said, "In summer camp, we integrate other digital manufacturing technologies, such as using microcontrollers. "We combine some code or solder it together, for example, a drone with a 3D printed frame.
Or we use code to create a robot that can respond in conversation using some cognitive AI functions on the backend. Modeling and printing create the housing for the final product, but there are different environments for children to explore."
3D printing experts training MakerGirls
Children visiting the campus lab are never bored. Parents can host birthday parties at the MakerLab, and a popular option is to offer children the opportunity to design and print their own party favors.
MakerGirl aims to inspire girls aged 7-10 through hands-on education, and this activity is also held at the Illinois MakerLab.
It extends from 3D printing to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to expand the learning experience and spark curiosity.
Making things happen in education
In addition to providing workshops and events for the community, Aric and Vishal hope the University of Illinois MakerLab will become the world's premier educator in desktop printing. To achieve this goal, they also
offer personal learning at the MakerLab and online through Coursera.
"Making Things" is a course offered by Dr. Rindfleisch, providing makers with practical experience in the process. Students can plan, design, and print their ideas and bring creative products to market to measure the success of their creations.
Dr. Sachdev introduces "Digital Manufacturing," designed to equip students with the various tools and techniques needed for digital fabrication. Dr. Sachdev invites students to investigate the Internet of Things (IoT), while also exploring electronic textiles,
such as smart clothing for innovative designs.
Ultimaker printers ready for students in the MakerLab
Students are encouraged to enroll in online courses through Coursera, making it easier to access 3D printing and modeling courses. One of their Coursera courses, the 3D Printing Specialization (3D Printing Revolution), is one of the most successful courses globally,
ranked among the top 50 online courses worldwide.
Currently, several are available for students around the clock, including upcoming 3D printing software courses created by Matt Griffin of Ultimaker and Jeffrey Smith of Autodesk.
As for the future, Aric and Vishal hope their collection of 20 Ultimaker printers will continue to prepare students for the next industrial revolution.
Aric and Vishal like to say that the business school not only helps startups use 3D printing but also "awakens" them.
This technology can be used to awaken students' inspiration, so they don't have to buy items with other people's ideas. And through 3D printing, they can turn their own ideas into objects.
The Illinois MakerLab, located in the business instructional facility on the University of Illinois campus, is open to the public most days of the week, with hours changing seasonally.
They welcome all curious individuals to visit and inquire about workshop content online.
Article Source: https://ultimaker.com/en/stories/49820-preparing-for-a-3d-printed-future-at-the-illinois-makerlab