3D Printing -from abstract to the concrete

The first industrial revolution began in Britain in the late 18th century when machines revolutionized the textile industry.  Henry Ford led the second industrial revolution in the early 20th century with his moving assembly line and mass production techniques.  The third industrial revolution is upon us, the era of additive manufacturing.  3D printing is an additive manufacturing process whereby objects are built up from plastic filament, liquid resin, layers of powder, or even bio-compatible materials.  3D printing allows the general public to design and produce customizable products to  from cell phone cases to high-end medical devices.  This process allows for creativity, logical thinking and problem solving, and turning the abstract into the real.

IMG_7203Course goals:

  1. Understand the key ideas of 3-D printing.
  2. Develop visual-spatial skills by using a variety of digital tools to turn abstract designs into real-world objects.
  3. Learn how to operate and think in a 3D environment.
  4. Develop problem solving skills by addressing real-world design and implementation limitations and possibilities
  5. Use design skills to create original works from concept to completion.
  6. Develop the skill set to manage complex project by breaking down the project down into manageable smaller components.
  7. Use this technology and skill set in his/her/their field of study or interest.

 

Course Projects

  • Project 1: The possibilities of 3D printing.  Design a fully functional moving object that can be realized in a single print.
  • Project 2: Formula follows function.  Given a utilitarian household object, reproduce as a digital object with an aestheticized surface based on mathematical knots.
  • Project 3: Beautifying the Denison landscape.  Study a specific outdoor space at Denison and design and create a 3D sculpture to scale that will enhance and beautify the space.  The sculpture should reference the space it is enhancing.
  • Project 4: Printing utopia.  Design and create a 3D printed building to scale that will be part of a 3D town collaboration created by the class.
  • Project 5: Checkmate! After exploring the various ways of digitizing real world objects, students will design and create the pieces of a chess set using digitized images of themselves.
  • Final Project: Paying it forward with 3D printing.  Explore the larger community and identify a need for an object that 3D printing could address.  Working with this community, design and create the object that best meets their needs.