3D Printers and Printing

David Shircliff is the Technology Education teacher for Loudoun County schools. He has been teaching for 26 years, and loves when students have the “ah-ha” moment when they figure something out for themselves. A Surprise Start to 3D Printing Prior to the school purchasing the Afinia H800 3D printer, David Shircliff did not have experience with 3D modeling or printing. “It was actually a surprise when we got the 3D printers,” he says. “We came in, and it was just sitting there! We had an inkling it might be coming, and knew some school administrators had been researching school-friendly 3D printers, but we had no idea they had made the [Read more…]

Jeff Tucker is a former Marine who currently works as a government contractor. In his spare time, he enjoys 3D printing RC car bodies and accessories for sale through his company, Inventeo3D. Tucker has been a fan of the Afinia brand since 2013, when he got his first Afinia H479 3D printer. Here’s where you can read more about Tucker’s work with the H479 3D printer. “Hiring” the Best 3D Printer Tucker’s light-up 3D-printed Star Wars display stand base, printed on his new Afinia H800 3D printer. “Before I got the Afinia H800 3D printer, I had a couple of other large-build 3D printers. I sold them both because they [Read more…]

Trevor Phillips is a media producer, and owner of Trevics Media, based in Seattle, WA. In the past, he’s worked for well-known TV series, including NCIS, CSI, and Dexter. If you’ve seen the popular television series NCIS or CSI, chances are you’ve seen some of Trevor Phillips’ work. Phillips is a media producer/playback artist who recently left Las Angeles to settle down in Seattle and start Trevics Media, a company offering video production, media, and animation services. “My job in LA was to create playback graphics,” explains Phillips. “For example, in NCIS when the cast enters Abby’s lab and works on the computer, the DNA scans and other computer images [Read more…]

Matt Trani is the co-owner of Vertical Vision, an unmanned aerial systems company that goes above and beyond the normal scope of hobbyist remote controlled and/or unmanned vehicles. Putting it all Together, With the Help of 3D The Scout is made up mainly of 3D printed parters, as well as a circuit board and carbon fiber tubes. “I didn’t have any 3D printing experience before I started my company,” admits Trani. “Actually, being introduced to 3D printing was a large part of what allowed me to start the company. I have an office at Saint Louis University, where I had the opportunity to engage with SLU students who showed me [Read more…]

Travis Lape is the technology integrationist at Harrisburg South Middle School. Lape strongly advocates using new technology to enhance and engage students in learning. His goal is to create learning experiences that empower and equip students with necessary skills to effectively produce and consume content across multiple media platforms. Using Tech to the Fullest As the Technology Integrationist at Harrisburg South Middle School (HSMS), Lape works mainly with teachers to integrate technology into the classroom. “I team up with teachers to collaborate on lesson plans, ensuring technology is being used in a way that provides teachers and students its maximum benefits. I also brainstormed with the media specialist to create [Read more…]

James Wetzel, Ph.D. is a research scientist at the University of Iowa. Recently, Wetzel has undertaken a project to 3D print 100 1:120-scale models of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) detector to help people understand the experiment. Working With – and Discovering – the Unknown On a regular basis, James Wetzel works with materials and concepts that a large number of people have never heard of. Currently, Wetzel is collaborating on the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment, which investigates (and helps discover) new or hypothesized physics particles, such as the Higgs boson and particles that make up dark matter. Wetzel explains, “Many people are surprised to learn that this “compact” [Read more…]

James Christianson is a filmmaker, animator, and artist who is fascinated with the potential of 3D printing. Recently, he created an Iron Man MK 42 Prototype boot using the Afinia 3D printer, and some help from friends. The completed, painted Version 2 of Christianson’s MK 42 Prototype. Looking at Christianson’s 3D-printed Iron Man MK 42 boot prototype, you’d never guess that he’s new to 3D printing. “3D modeling and having a knack for designing sparked my interest in 3D printing,” explains Christianson. “When I bought the Afinia 3D printer in 2013, I decided to take on the challenge of creating a mechanized armor prototype as a challenging hobby.” Self-taught Skills [Read more…]

Afinia 3D and Australian 3D printing software company Makers Empire have partnered to sell Makers Empire products to the North American education market. Afinia 3D, a supplier of award-winning desktop 3D printers, will provide North American elementary and middle schools with Makers Empire’s 3D Printing Learning Program through its Education Resellers network. The Makers Empire 3D Printing Learning Program is comprised of easy-to-use 3D design software, curriculum-aligned lesson plans, a teacher’s portal, and online resources. John Westrum, Afinia 3D’s Vice President and Education Market Lead said, “We have a coast-to-coast presence in the US and Canadian educational markets and the Makers Empire 3D Printing Learning Program is an excellent addition [Read more…]

Stuart Ferguson is the Head of Technology at The Foundry, a global developer of software for use in the design, visualization, and entertainment industries. Ferguson has been creating 3D graphics for 30 years, and recently began 3D printing with the Afinia H479 3D Printer. A 3D Printing Pioneer “I’ve been creating 3D graphics since shortly after the first Star Wars movie, but when I became interested in 3D printing I had no idea what to do. After reading MAKE Magazine’s 3D printer reviews, it was clear that Afinia was high quality, and would be easy to use, even for someone who isn’t overly technical. I’ve been very happy with it.” [Read more…]

John Richardson and Claire Luikart are the IT Implementation Director and Special Projects Manager (respectively) at St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge, LA. Both influenced the school’s decision on which 3D printers are more beneficial for students’ learning and engagement. Doing Their Research St. Joseph’s Academy shows off their spirit with their school’s 3D printed crest. “We got our first Afinia H479 3D printer in 2011, because it was our students’ top choice. They researched 3D printers, and in the process, improved their technical understanding and communication skills,” explains Richardson. Luikart adds, “We’re glad they recommended it! We’ve been very happy with the Afinia, since the beginning. We’ve also acquired [Read more…]

Jason Rider is the Founder of Thriving Systems Design, LLC and inventor of the C-Bite Stake Coupling and Anchor System. We originally interviewed Rider in March of 2014, shortly after he began using the Afinia 3D Printer. Rider’s product is now being sold nationally, so we decided it was time for an update. Starting Local Rider’s C-bites can be combined in a number of different ways. “I started the C-Bite project in late 2013. I came up with the concept of C-Bite and knew how beneficial it could be. I also knew I would need a 3D printer to really get things going, not only in terms of prototyping, but [Read more…]

You Asked for Bigger Afiniacs have raved about our H-Series printer, calling it a “little workhorse” that “works amazingly well”. The H-Series printer was also named “Easiest to Use,” “Easiest to Set Up,” and “Best Overall Experience” in 2013, “Just Hit Print” in 2014, and “Reliable Performer” in 2015 by MAKE: Magazine. Many Afinia users found the 5x5x5 inch build area to be perfect for their projects, but have requested a bigger platform. We Answered The new Afinia H800 3D Printer build area is five times bigger (10 x 8 x 8 inches), and includes additional enhancements: HEPA filtration system Prints 30% faster than the H480 Smart Support Material Technology [Read more…]

Todd Hummer is a Satellite Teacher for Butler Tech, teaching a 7th grade Project Lead the Way STEAMM (science, technology, engineering, art/design, math, and medical) class. Butler Tech is a career-technical school for adults and high school students in Hamilton, Ohio. Partnering with Butler Tech “The partnership that our district has with Butler Tech is very exciting. Butler Tech offers classes to high school students, adults, and businesses wanting to educate their workforce. They also provide satellite programs giving 7th through 12th graders the opportunity to learn about engineering and the biomedical fields. Seventh graders are all encouraged to take the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Design and Modeling class, [Read more…]

Young adults and children are our future. As they continue to grow, they change our world with their thoughts and actions. At Afinia, we recognize how their thoughts and actions are influenced by educators and schooling, and therefore, how an education that emphasizes STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) is extremely important. Many of our customers in the field of education have realized the benefits of including 3D printing in their classrooms and makerspaces, and have incorporated this technology into their lessons. Their passion and creativity are inspiring, and we wish to share their stories. We’re proud to announce our second eBook, Afinia 3D Printer-Enhanced Educators: Stories of Success. [Read more…]

Lis Bokt is the Executive Director of The Geek Group, a 43,000 square foot makerspace in Grand Rapids, MI, where individuals can work on projects, regardless of scope. Geeks of the World: Unite! Since we last spoke with Bokt in April, The Geek Group has grown from about 25,500 members to nearly 30,000. “Our members span the globe. We have a lot of members in the UK and Australia, and even have members in Bulgaria, Scandinavia, and Brazil,” says Bokt. Even though using the facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan is not an option for these international members, they are able to take advantage of other opportunities. “Distant members get access [Read more…]

Gene Sherman, Founder/CEO of Vocademy, a makerspace open to all ages, seven days a week. Their focus is to close the skills-gap by teaching the most state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques and providing the community with access to over a quarter-million dollars worth of equipment. Inspiration “The Vocademy was a long time coming. I thought about it for at least a decade. It’s 15,000 sq ft, which is much larger than the typical makerspace. To me, it still isn’t big enough. I’d like the next one to be at least 25,000 sq ft.” “The biggest factor that inspired me to create the Vocademy was the demise of hands-on skills in this country. [Read more…]

Corinne Okada Takara is a Bay Area artist and arts educator who creates technology-integrated art projects. Takara creates public collaborative works of art and hosts workshops at museums, libraries, classrooms and colleges. Her most recent collaborative art project, “A Serving of Shapes,” incorporated 3D-printed art. Art and Education “As an artist and educator, 3D printing sparks my interest on multiple levels. I knew I wanted to explore the exciting possibilities with 3D printing and wouldn’t move my work forward without a 3D printer; I realized this especially after attending a 3D printing expo last fall. I was already working in SketchUp, but the thought of printing my designs was exciting, [Read more…]

David Brannen is the Woodshop and Manufacturing teacher at Grants Pass High School, in Grants Pass, Oregon. Brannen has 11 years of teaching experience and over 25 years of experience in furniture and cabinetry creation. Diving Into 3D A vase printed by one of Brannen’s students. “I had absolutely no experience with 3D printers before getting one in my classroom. Honestly, I didn’t even know what it was or what it did when I found out I was receiving one through the Perkins Grant Program. I went to a mandatory workshop thinking it would just be a neat toy. By the end of the day, I was going crazy and [Read more…]

Greg Herker is the Fab Lab Program Coordinator for Gateway Technical College. He designs and coordinates the programs and is in charge of Fab Lab operations. Herker describes the Fab Lab as “A movement. A place where ideas and innovations happen.” The Lab is open to students, businesses, and the entire community. Fab Lab: The Movement “Our Fab Lab was started over a year ago. Fab Labs started in a class out of MIT by Dr. Neil Gershenfeld, the class “How to Build Almost Anything” and quickly found, that through digital fabrication, there would be a revolution allowing individuals to make all kinds of items for personal use. This sparked [Read more…]

Dr. Keith Williams is a visiting professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Virginia and a program manager for a research division of Leidos, based at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington D.C. Leidos is a company that assists the US in combating threats to national security. Dr. Williams tweets about his UVa Introduction to Engineering class using the Twitter handle @engr1620. The Technological Cloud If you stumble upon Dr. Williams’ blog, it appears that he is opposed to using technology in the classroom, terming it a “technological cloud” hanging over education. But dig deeper and it becomes clear that his complaint is [Read more…]