Hello everyone, This was an exciting week for engineering students in the Dynamics class.  Having finished calculating, designing, and fabricating model rockets (most of them 3D printed), students and onlookers withstood a cold, windy Monday morning to watch their rockets take flight.  Most rockets flew straight and true, quickly lost in the low hanging clouds above.  There were some interesting designs including a triple-engine rocket that regrettably ran haywire from one engine that failed to ignite.  Some parachutes deployed and some did not as students scoured the surrounding field when the rockets hit ground. Rocket nosecones, including the huge triple-engine nosecone Preparing rockets for launchRead More →

Hello everyone, The 3D Lab has been the center of all things aerial lately.  Engineering students enrolled in the Dynamics class are busy printing model rockets, R/C Flight Club members are designing planes and gliders, while others are experimenting with drones.  The R/C club recently took a field trip to the MAPS Air Museum, more on that experience later this week. Chris recently purchased a tri-copter drone that is powerful enough to support a GoPro digital camera.  He built the aircraft from a kit, so 3D printed parts were not needed.  After calibrating its three propellers and engines to be synchronized, the drone took itsRead More →

Hello everyone, As the 3D Lab grows beyond its first year, we are polishing the initiative’s rough edges by establishing policies, maintenance and operations schedules, and documentation.  In addition to the wonderful introductory video made by Betty Rogge, Morgan Silvey, and Dusty Ball, tutorial videos are being produced that demonstrate how to use the 3D Lab equipment.  This is no small undertaking as video shooting and editing is intensive work.  Many thanks to our video team for doing this. We now have easy-to-follow PDF instructions for our equipment, written specifically from our experiences in the 3D Lab.  The instructions even have pictures!  You are welcomeRead More →

Hello everyone,  Now into the final month of the semester, our engineering students are currently building and performing physics calculations on their model rockets.  Some student 3D print nosecones and rocket fins/bodies, others choose different fabrication methods.  Because the three printers are in high demand, we now have reservation boards next to each printer to queue student use.  Thankfully all three printers are working well during this “crunch time”. Last Friday, eight young adults from the Orrville Boys and Girls Club visited Wayne College to learn more about 3D printing, CAD design, and other creative pursuits.  Using donated square wooden plaques, I engraved a checkboardRead More →