Hello everyone,

Next week begins the Fall semester at the University of Akron Wayne College.  We’ll see the return of familiar faces (and new ones) roaming the halls and make new friends who hang-out in the 3D Lab.  And we’ll have plenty of new stories to tell!

 

Since the 3D Lab opened its doors in 2014, it went through several name changes, starting with Wayne C3, UAWC3, and recently, the “3D Lab”.  We are looking to rebrand the lab with a fresh name and image.  Something that defines who we are and where we are going.  Ideas like “Maker Zone”, “Wayne Makerz”, “Imagination Station”, etc.

We’d like your help in choosing a new name for the 3D Lab!  Please submit name ideas to tjh1@uakron.edu by Wednesday, August 30th.  Help make the 3D Lab yours and what it means to you.  We are open to all ideas!

 

We are happy to announce a new addition to the 3D Lab, a high-quality photo printer (Epson Stylus Pro 4880) that was donated by William Miller and former Dean Neil Sapienza.  This machine uses an eight-ink system for beautiful color reproduction onto 17” wide paper, canvas, and other mediums.  This printer is free-to-use for patrons of the lab as are 3D printers and most other machines there.  Come visit the lab and invite friends and family; we’ll be happy to show you around and help with your projects!

Recently, 3D Lab staff Anthony Howell created this excellent how-to video for learning the ins-and-outs of the photo printer.  It’s definitely worth watching if you intend to use this printer for your projects:

 

3D printers work by melting plastic through an extruder, building layers of molten plastic like a pyramid.  The extruder moves left/right and up/down with motors, but that isn’t the only way to control movement.  Our new addition to the 3D Lab is a 3D printing pen, basically a handheld extruder!  It’s a whole new way to be creative; you can draw three dimensional objects with plastic.

Feel free to stop-by the 3D Lab to give then pen a try!  You’ll have so much fun with it.  The pen is located in the front of the room, by the whiteboard.

 

Earlier this month, the 3D Lab made a road trip to the Holmes County Fair.  Using the portable 3D printer donated by the Romich Foundation, folks from all ages were amazed by the technology and that Wayne College hosts an open-to-the-public makerspace.

 

The amazing thing about these trips are the kids and young adults who hang around the table, sometimes for an hour or longer.  These are budding engineers, asking all sorts of questions about 3D printing, how it works, and how it’s used in the real world.  Our table was easily a hit with fair goers, circling back later to get a place near the crowded table to see the printer in-action.

 

If you’re free this Thursday the 23rd, stop-in the 3D Lab during Welcome To Wayne Day from 1:00-4:00!  We’ll teach you how to laser engrave your own aluminum water bottle or coffee mug, courtesy of P.Graham Dunn.  Here are directions to our lab.

 

Stay tuned next week as we start another fun semester in the 3D Lab!

 

See how E. Coli bacteria are used to power 3D printed micromotors:

https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/powering-3d-printed-micromotors-e-coli-bacteria-118620

 

How about 3D printing a concrete house in just two days:

https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/new-house-2-days-contour-crafting-begins-manufacture-3d-printer-construction-116124

 

Build this cool, Internet enabled Weather Station with sensors for temperature, dew point, humidity, pressure, altitude, light index, and rain index using an Arduino microcontroller:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Esay-IoT-Weather-Station-With-Multiple-Sensors

 

Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 19, 2018 for the 2nd Annual Wayne County Mini Maker Faire!  The event is free to attend and participate.  To be a maker at the faire, be sure to signup here.  We’d love to have you there!

 

Interested in seeing 3D printers built from scratch?  Come to the Schantz Organ Company tonight on Wednesday, August 23rd at 6:30 p.m.  Their 3D Printer Build Class now has two sessions under their belt and will be finishing up tonight and this Saturday morning.  Stop in!

Until next week,

Tom