In 2013, Dr. Aric Rindfleisch and Dr. Vishal Sachdev opened the world's first 3D printing lab in the College of Business; the Illinois MakerLab at the University of Illinois campus.
Established without university funding, this lab, with its Ultimaker printer lineup, has become the primary source for small-batch manufacturing and 3D printing education for students and community members interested in rapid prototyping.
While their first desktop printer was frustrating and unreliable, the MakerLab only truly excelled after switching the entire lab to Ultimaker printers at the end of 2015.
The opportunity to work with Cura and access the Ultimaker pioneer community also influenced their decision.
Aric stated: "We do all the maintenance work in the lab and fix our own printers. We were in a situation where we needed reliable machines to provide better customer service and become more familiar with Ultimaker through the 3D printing community."
“The development resources of Ultimaker and our 'make and share' mission are very aligned. We established a relationship with Ultimaker a year and a half ago, and we are very satisfied with the machines.”
The MakerLab has a total of 20 printers, including the Ultimaker 3, Ultimaker 2+, Ultimaker 2 Go, and Ultimaker Original, open for several hours in the College of Business.
These machines are not limited to students from one department; students from across the university can utilize this advanced technology for various projects, with hundreds of visits to the lab each semester.
Students at the Illinois MakerLab trying out a 3D scanner
Aric and Vishal have two main focuses for the Illinois MakerLab: education and digital manufacturing. They not only want to provide opportunities for students interested in 3D printing,
but also aim to connect with community members, allowing them to experience additive manufacturing technology at their fingertips.
“3D printing enables more small businesses to emerge, whether startups or part-time individuals, and that's our focus. In addition to our educational mission, we are also a small digital printing shop.”
3D printing not only provides learning opportunities for students but also offers important industry connections and generates revenue for the MakerLab.
Beginner? No Problem
The Illinois MakerLab offers ample opportunities to learn and experience design. In 2016, they hosted over 100 workshops for students and community members, imparting crucial knowledge for successful 3D printing.
Workshop content covers everything from the basics of 3D printing to creating 3D models with Tinkercad and Fusion 360. Curious makers can also learn 3D scanning or enroll in Minecraft and 3D printing workshops.
Upon completing four basic workshops, participants receive a digital maker certificate, proving their fundamental skills in designing and printing objects, as well as using CAD software like Autodesk and Tinkercad.
These workshops are an important component of rapid prototyping and 3D design, helping to prepare students for industries increasingly reliant on digital manufacturing.
Learning on Ultimaker printers at the Illinois MakerLab
While most of the MakerLab's revenue comes from workshops and events, the staff also relies on donations and print-on-demand orders to bridge funding gaps. Anyone in the community can order prints online or in person,
as the MakerLab is part of the 3D Hubs network.
Vishal stated, "We just launched on 3D Hubs in January, and we're doing about 50-60 orders a month. Apart from Aric and me providing ideas, all the daily operations are handled by students."
This allows student volunteers to control the printing process from start to finish, providing tangible experience for after graduation.
Providing Creative Learning for Young People
When they're not processing 3D print orders, students and volunteers at the Illinois MakerLab engage young people through summer camps and parties. These camps are specifically designed for children aged 9 and above,
combining an interest in 3D printing with learning. The camp curriculum covers a wide range of knowledge related to design thinking and 3D printing technology, such as how NASA teams used advanced manufacturing techniques to solve a Martian problem in one day.
Vishal said, "In the summer camps, we incorporate other digital manufacturing technologies, such as using microcontrollers. We combine some code or solder it together, for example, a drone with a 3D printed frame.
Or we use code to create a robot that can respond in conversations using some cognitive AI functions on the backend. Modeling and printing create the shell of the final product, but there are different environments for children to explore."
3D printing experts training MakerGirls
Children visiting the on-campus lab are never bored. Parents can host birthday parties at the MakerLab, and a popular option is to offer children the opportunity to design and print their own party favors.
MakerGirl aims to inspire girls aged 7-10 through hands-on education, and this activity is also based at the Illinois MakerLab.
It extends from 3D printing to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), expanding the learning experience and sparking curiosity.
Making Things Happen in Education
In addition to providing workshops and events for the community, Aric and Vishal hope the University of Illinois MakerLab will become the premier desktop printer educator globally. To achieve this goal, they also
offer personal learning at the MakerLab and online through Coursera.
"Making Things" is a course offered by Dr. Rindfleisch, providing makers with hands-on experience in the process. Students can plan, design, and print their ideas, and bring their creations to market to measure their success.
Dr. Sachdev introduces "Digital Manufacturing," designed to train students in the various tools and techniques needed for digital fabrication. Dr. Sachdev invites students to investigate the Internet of Things (IoT), while also exploring electronic textiles,
such as smart clothing for innovative design.
Ultimaker printers ready for students in the MakerLab
Students are encouraged to register for online courses through Coursera, making it easier to access 3D printing and modeling courses. One of their Coursera courses, the 3D Printing Specialization (3D Printing Revolution), is one of the most successful courses globally,
listed among the top 50 online courses in the world.
Several courses are currently available for students 24/7, including upcoming 3D printing software courses created by Matt Griffin of Ultimaker and Jeffrey Smith of Autodesk.
As for the future, Aric and Vishal hope their collection of 20 Ultimaker printers will continue to prepare students for the next industrial revolution.
Aric and Vishal like to say that the College of Business not only helps startups with 3D printing but also "awakens" them.
This technology can awaken students' inspiration, showing them they don't have to buy items with other people's ideas. Through 3D printing, they can turn their own ideas into objects.
The Illinois MakerLab, located in the Business Instructional Facility on the University of Illinois campus, is open to the public most days of the week, or with seasonal changes in opening hours.
They welcome all curious individuals to visit and inquire about workshop content online.
Article Source: https://ultimaker.com/en/stories/49820-preparing-for-a-3d-printed-future-at-the-illinois-makerlab