Advanced Manufacturing

3D Printers

SIPI currently has nine traditional FDM 3D printers that are utilized for many student lead STEM projects. Two DLP printers are also available for students to use which enables the fabrication of ultra resolution parts. The 3D printers allow students to move immediately from a digital workspace to prototyped piece in a single day and also allows students to hone their understanding of tolerances and mechanical limitations in manufacturing.

Current projects include 3D printing of UAV and rover body frames, along with many class an personal projects.

The printers are also used to give students in the Pre-Engineering program experience with converting their AutoCAD designs into 3D models.

3D printing technology has opened up many opportunities for students to learn about sharing and collaboration of designs from all around the world.

A 3D scanning station is currently under development in SIPI's virtual reality laboratory. It will enable students to scan an object quickly and 3D print a plastic analogue of that object for reverse engineering.