Sponsored By

Stratasys introduces 3D printing curriculum for vocation, college and universitiesStratasys introduces 3D printing curriculum for vocation, college and universities

A strong demand for skilled workers has opened the doors to many vocational and technical trade schools, colleges and even universities for students wanting to learn the latest and greatest in manufacturing technologies. To help satisfy the demand for educating people in the skills needed in today's manufacturing plants, Stratasys Ltd. has introduced a new 3D printing curriculum for educators.

Clare Goldsberry

December 8, 2014

2 Min Read
Plastics Today logo in a gray background | Plastics Today

The full-semester, 14-week course is aimed to help prepare secondary and post-secondary students worldwide for careers being transformed by 3D printing. Learning materials are free to educators and include a curriculum guide, supporting presentations, 3D models (STL files) and grading tools. Focused on academia community engagement, the content may be continuously refreshed with the help of participating educators.

"We notice strong demand coming from the industry for a curriculum focusing on 3D printing," said Shelly Linor, director of global education for Stratasys. "Educators around the world now have an opportunity to make a big impact by using and contributing to our curriculum. They will also be able to better prepare their students for future careers as 3D printing is becoming an intrinsic part of the design and manufacturing processes in leading companies."

The beginner course, Introduction to 3D Printing: From Design to Fabrication, explores 3D printing in terms of its history, established applications, forward-looking trends, and potential social and economic impacts. Through project-based learning, students will experience 3D printing's impact on the design process firsthand. Centered on the course's theme Make Something That Moves Something, a variety of projects guide students through the process of designing and 3D printing a fully functional moving part in a single build.

Students will become familiar with the advantages of various 3D printing technologies in terms of precision, resolution and material capabilities. While Stratasys recommends FDM and PolyJet 3D printing technologies for this course, any technology platform and any CAD software with STL support may be used.

Completion of the beginning course should enable graduates to understand the historical factors that have shaped manufacturing over the centuries; explain current and emerging 3D printing applications in a variety of industries; identify opportunities to apply 3D printing technology for time and cost reduction; and design and print objects containing moving parts without assembly, among other things.

Assistant Professor Steve Chomyszak of the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, uses Stratasys' 3D printing curriculum, and commented, "There are going to be many instructors out there who would love to teach a course in 3D printing but who simply do not have enough time to do the detailed research and to prepare professional level presentations. Stratasys has now made it much easier for any instructor to offer a college level course on the subject."

Stratasys plans to add two sequential advanced courses under the same theme that will cover material memory, multi-material use and 3D printing for robotics applications. Educators can learn more about the course and specific details or download free materials by visiting the Stratasys Educational Curriculum page on the company's website, www.stratasys.com.

About the Author

Clare Goldsberry

Until she retired in September 2021, Clare Goldsberry reported on the plastics industry for more than 30 years. In addition to the 10,000+ articles she has written, by her own estimation, she is the author of several books, including The Business of Injection Molding: How to succeed as a custom molder and Purchasing Injection Molds: A buyers guide. Goldsberry is a member of the Plastics Pioneers Association. She reflected on her long career in "Time to Say Good-Bye."

Sign up for PlasticsToday newsletter

You May Also Like