3-D adds new dimension to printing

The new craze in engineering is 3-D printing, particularly with engineering students at Norwich.

A 3-D printer allows parts to be built using software, to see how they look and feel. "It is better to have a tangible piece in your hands," said Peter Russell, 19, a sophomore electrical engineering major from Portland, Ore.

Unlike standard 2-D printing, 3-D technology allows an object to be duplicated by stacking materials, usually a polymer, into a real-life model. The printer is of high quality and can even produce color.

Before this technology, manufacturing was done differently. "Traditionally, prototypes had to be made by hand," said mechanical engineering professor Danner Friend.

The printer on campus is accurate, durable and has a few limits. "(The printer) is very accurate, what you design is what will print out," said Russell. "How big your printer is and your imaginations are the limitations."

Students start working with the printer as early as their freshmen year. "On campus the EG 109 class produced models for labs," said Brad Paisker, 19, a sophomore engineering major from Pittstown, N.J.

One of the first models the students create is a tool used almost every day by Americans.

"Our freshman class designed a wrench on the computer program," said Luke Dejarme, 20, a sophomore international studies major from Columbus, Ohio.

"Norwich acquired the printer eight years ago," said Friend. "The software that is used to create the models is Solid Works."

Students majoring in engineering are fascinated with the mechanics in producing models. They view the printer as an essential visual aide.

"The 3-D printer is located in the basement of Tompkins Hall next to the machine shop," said Patrick Finamore, 19, a sophomore civil engineering major from Glastonbury, Conn. "The location allows students quick and easy access to producing projects."

Friend said that with the advancements of three-dimensional computer-aided design software, a machine can build objects from raw materials.

"The whole process of designing and imputing dimensions takes time and patience," Dejarme said.

Paisker said the printer "gives you real hands-on feel of what (the model) will look like, and if there are any problems."

The technology is considered by professionals to be an effective tool used in extreme environments, for example, space.

"Instead of bringing a set of 80 wrenches you can bring the printer," said Finamore. "If you need a certain size wrench you can go print it off."

The 3-D printers on campus do not have the ability to print models that have movable parts; however, more advanced models can.

"Printers have the ability to print models out of plastic and metals," said John Burks, 20, a sophomore environmental and civil engineering major from Pearland, Texas.

"Printers are capable of producing 80 percent of the machine, so you can make the machine out of (previously made) models," he said.

Friend disagrees, but does say that cutting-edge research is beginning to allow models to be mass produced in different environments.

"One particularly harsh environment that we have built parts for is underwater," said Friend. "(The printer) has the capability to produce parts that are waterproof that can be used on submarines."

As the price of 3-D printers declines, more people are using ones with smaller scale printing capability.

Russell said, "You can actually buy the product for about $250. It does small-scale printing, and can produce its own parts."

"I feel it can be useful in garages, people who work on their vehicles, for example," said Burks.