3D Printer for Home, Education and Rapid Prototyping

3D Printing is “Cool” Tech in the PLTW Classroom

Shane Helmich is the 7th and 8th grade PLTW teacher at Olive Peirce Middle School in Ramona, CA. He teaches Design & Modeling and Automation & Robotics courses, incorporating 3D printing into each.

PLTW Building 3D Printing Experience

Olive Peirce Middle School purchased the Afinia H480 3D Printer two years ago. “The principal gave me the go-ahead to get a 3D printer because we had some extra funds, and wanted to expand the STEM curriculum,” explains Helmich. At the time, Helmich did not have experience with 3D printing, so he researched the 3D printers on the market. “The Afinia brand was recommended by Project Lead The Way (PLTW)” Helmich says. “I was told it was an easy setup, and would be a nearly ‘out-of-the-box’ option. [Read more…]

Lee-Whedon Memorial Library Welcomes 3D Printing

Kristine Mostyn is a Librarian at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina, NY. The library has an Afinia H479 3D printer and recently acquired an Afinia ES360 3D scanner.

3D Printing at the Library

When the Afinia 3D printer arrived at the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, it was Librarian Kristine Mostyn’s first time using 3D printing technology. “It was fantastic. I picked up on it very fast. The first day we set it up, we were already printing. It was very easy, and the instructions were great. It was a relief that it worked right out of the box,” Mostyn explains. [Read more…]

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…]

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…]