Afinia Desktop 3D Printers Selected by Project Lead The Way
Afinia Desktop 3D Printers Selected by Project Lead The Way (PLTW)
Chanhassen, MN – March 24, 2014
Afinia’s award-winning H-Series Desktop 3D Printer has been selected by Project Lead The Way as a solution to enhance its science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum for its network of more than 5,000 schools.
“We are pleased that PLTW has selected the Afinia 3D Printer as an option for both its middle school (PLTW Gateway) and high school (PLTW Engineering) programs,” said Mitch Ackmann, President of Afinia. “The use of 3D printers as a part of STEM curriculum is growing rapidly, and ours is really easy to set up and use, which makes it perfect for the classroom. We also offer phone support, which is great for educators who want to speak to a live person if they need help.“
Matt Cohen, PLTW’s Director of Supply Chain remarked, “We have a lot of experience integrating STEM curricula with technology and have reviewed and tested a number of equipment options. Afinia’s experience in the educational market, quality equipment, and customer support made them a natural choice.”
Afinia emerged as a leader in Desktop 3D Printing when named “Best Overall Experience” over 14 other 3D printers in Make Magazine’s 2013 “Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing.” The review hailed the Afinia as a stand out, naming it “one of our favorite 3D printers.” and pointing out that, “Straight out of the box… we printed some of the best-looking examples of the challenge prints.” The review concluded with the high praise: “The Afinia offered the best printing quality with the least amount of effort.”
The Afinia H-Series can print a part or model up to 5” x 5” x 5”, with a resolution of 150 microns (six thousandths of an inch). Afinia’s 3D printer software imports .STL files, created with CAD/CAM software, such as Autodesk, or downloaded from a growing number of online libraries. It then automatically generates the support material that a design requires. The Afinia H-Series connects to a PC or Mac with a USB cable and stores the print job so educators are free to unplug the USB cable and get back to their students. The Afinia 3D Printer uses inexpensive, non-proprietary plastic filament that is available in several different colors.
Afinia is a division of Microboards Technology LLC, a leader in specialized printing solutions. Their twenty-year history includes market-leading innovations in disc duplication, labeling and, most recently, 3D Printing. More information can be found at, Facebook , Twitter or by phone at 1.888.215.3966.
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is the nation’s leading provider of STEM programs. PLTW’s world-class, activity-, project-, and problem-based curriculum and high-quality teacher professional development model, combined with an engaged network of educators and corporate partners, help students develop the skills needed to succeed in our global economy. More than 5,000 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are currently offering PLTW courses to their students. For more information, visit www.pltw.org.