3D Printer for Home, Education and Rapid Prototyping

Checking in with Philip Youngblood, Winner of Afinia H480 3D Printer

Philip Youngblood teaches the Intro to Engineering Design and Biomedical Science classes at Central High School in Keller, TX. He recently won the Afinia H480 3D printer after attending a PLTW conference.

In the Nick of Time

Youngblood says he was “plain lucky” to be the winner of the Afinia H480 3D printer. “I had a 3D printer at my last school. Then I began teaching at Central, which had a number of 3D printers… but they didn’t work well, and we sent them back. I was definitely excited, and thought it was great timing, when I found out I had won the Afinia H480 for my classroom a couple of months ago,” says Youngblood. [Read more…]

Sharing His Love of 3D Making & 3D Printing

Afiniac Eric Quakenbush, of Honolulu, Hawaii, is not new to the maker movement. You can tell from his website that he’s been an avid—and talented—creator for a while, with a background in graphic design. Recently, he shared his passion for making at the Barnes & Noble Mini Maker Faire in Honolulu.

Keeping Kids Busy with Building

Quakenbush set up at the Mini Maker Faire“The activity that I had set up at the faire was aimed at younger kids,” says Quakenbush. “I had actually come up with the activity by accident, based on my experience at my last faire. I had brought a number of foam pieces from a failed robot project I was working on, and had them loosely connected with toothpicks. The kids that came by were intrigued by it and started rebuilding the robot with the toothpicks I had available.” Quakenbush noted how much the kids loved playing with the simple parts, which prompted him to bring a larger selection this time. “I made sure to have plenty of parts and toothpicks,” tells Quakenbush, adding, “it worked out well, because the table was always busy with kids who were participating.” [Read more…]

Students Get Hands-on With 3D-printed Prosthesis

Possibilities Inspired by Playground Observation

As 3D printing becomes more accessible to educators around the globe, students are experiencing opportunities they would have never previously imagined. Students at Target Range Middle School in Missoula, Montana are currently working on creating a prosthetic hand for Carter, a kindergartener in their school district.

“I was on playground duty and noticed Carter. I’ve seen stories of people creating prosthetics for people and thought, ‘we have someone in our own school who could benefit from this’. [Read more…]

Intelitek Supports 3D Printing in the Classroom

Intelitek Dynamic Solutions, Inspired ClassroomsJustin Stephens is one of the Global Product Managers at Intelitek, a company dedicated to transforming education across the globe through comprehensive technology learning solutions.

“As a product manager for an educational company, I often get the opportunity to speak with teachers, and one subject that regularly arises is 3D printing,” explains Stephens. “Teachers who have previously been introduced to 3D printers, whether at trade shows or in other classrooms, typically recognize how powerful of a tool they can be to teach students prototyping, problem solving, and creativity.” Stephens says that these teachers usually are interested in learning about what Intelitek has to offer for 3D printers, and if they have a complete solution. [Read more…]

Learning and Exploring with 3D Printing at Middleton Cross Plains Area School District

Brian Miles is the Computer Technology Teacher & Technology Integrator at Middleton Cross Plains Area School District. He’s passionate about finding new ways to use technology for learning and exploring.

Getting Inspired by 3D Printing

Miles talks about the H800 3D printer with students and answers questions
Miles talks with his students about the H800 and 3D printing technology.

The first time Brian Miles used a 3D printer was a couple of years ago, when his school’s industrial tech class got a 3D printer for their curriculum. “They were doing 3D drawing, imaging, and drafting, so they acquired a 3D printer, and let students try it,” explains Miles. “After that experience, I wanted to get another 3D printer for the school, because I thought it would be an amazing tool to have. The industrial technology’s 3D printer stays in their classroom, so I wanted the new one to be school-wide.” [Read more…]

Evangelizing 3D Printing Technology: An Update on Afiniac Sean Huxter

Sean Huxter is an avid “Afiniac” who uses his H479 and H480 3D printers to create impressive toys and collector accessories, innovative household improvement pieces, and thoughtful gifts.

When Quality 3D Prints Get Noticed

Afiniac Sean Huxter admits that his Afinia 3D printers rarely get to rest. In his latest interview, Huxter described his most recent prints, and told us about his recent Maker Faire experience. [Read more…]

He’s At It Again: An Update on Afiniac Sean Huxter

Sean Huxter is an avid “Afiniac” who uses his H479 and H480 3D printers to create impressive toys and collector accessories, innovative household improvement pieces, and thoughtful gifts.

 

The 3D Printing Revolution

Huxter's first Afinia H479 3D printer
One of Huxter’s first pictures of his H479, right out of the box.

Huxter had always dreamed of purchasing a 3D printer. “I wanted a machine like this before I even knew it existed,” he laughs. “I’ve been dreaming about it since I was about 7 years old!” Huxter got his first 3D printer—the Afinia H479—in June of 2013. “I wanted a printer so much that I gathered a bunch of collector toys I had laying around and sold them to raise money for one,” he recalls.

“I had done a lot of research to figure out which 3D printer to invest in, and all the signs seemed to point to the Afinia brand. MAKE Magazine had rated it “Best Overall” and all of the reviews I read seemed to support that, so I contacted them for a test print. I got a standard print and a customized print from them and said, ‘yep, this is the one.’” [Read more…]