Hello everyone,
The break in communication is because yours truly took a week’s vacation, a much needed break. Lots have been happening at the Wayne College Makerspace, despite the absence.
First off, I heard that Jonny’s custom rocket descent system (the “flowering pedals” approach) worked beautifully! It launched, opened its wings upon apex, and twirled gently to the ground. What an amazing invention that he designed!
Ben, another engineering student, designed a replacement lawn mower pull-string handle for one of our teachers. It’s amazing how quickly students are learning CAD and applying it to the real world:
Another request was made to improve a wheelchair for one of our disabled staff. The wheelchair’s brake lever was catching on plastered corners, damaging them. So Dusty designed a cover that would minimize this problem:
Excellent work, Dusty!
Today was a particularly exciting day as well over one hundred 7th grade students came to Wayne College to learn more about Writing, Chemistry, Physics, and you guessed it, 3D printing! The kids were thrilled about the 3D printers and asked lots of questions. After handling four 20-minute sessions, I was worn out, but it was rewarding work. Our own Andrew taught a similar session last week which went over well, too.
The new 3D printer is back-in business. The defective extruder was promptly replaced by the vendor; Dusty installed it last week. To test it out, he printed a funnel for a Rube Goldberg machine for a Northwestern Middle School student, a huge one at 7” tall! It took 11 hours to print, but printed beautifully.
You may have read about this earlier, but if not, check-out this kayak entirely made by a 3D printer!
http://www.gizmag.com/3d-printed-kayak/31343/
More news next week!
Tom