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Five Reasons Why Universities are Investing in DLP 3D Printers
Additive manufacturing is one of the most versatile forms of production and is revolutionizing a variety of industries. Also known as 3D printing, it enables the creation of complex parts with intricate geometries that were once impossible to produce using traditional methods.
Digital light processing (DLP) 3D printers have a vat full of resin with a projector that lights the areas of the vat that are needed for the current layer of the 3D model. Stereolithography (SLA) is a closely related technology but slower technology that uses lasers to trace out geometries instead of light projectors to cure the entire layer of resin one flash at a time. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers extrude thermoplastic filaments through a nozzle to melt material designs layer-by-layer. Because FDM also traces out the geometry, it is significantly slower than DLP and the individual layers are most often visible while DLP prints tend to be smoother, more detailed, and more organic looking.
Investing in DLP technology from ETEC increases the quality of education by allowing students the opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on experience directly producing the parts they design. As 3D printing continues to emerge as a key creative force and manufacturing technology, it is critical academic organizations include it in their curricula to inspire the next-generation of professionals and avoid leaving students at a disadvantage as they enter the workforce. Here are five reasons educational institutions are printing knowledge by investing in digital light processing.
Hands-On Industry 4.0 Engagement
Education 4.0 calls for embracing and adopting technologies in education. Additive manufacturing helps transform classroom theories into applicable skills. Hands-on learning environments with disruptive technologies help prepare students to be successful in the evolving workforce. 3D printing is also a key part of all levels of academic and industry research.
Digital light processing machines produce high-quality results faster than many other plastic 3D printing technologies and the range of materials available allow a variety of resins to be processed and easily swapped, making DLP ideal for research settings and makerspace environments alike. The Envision One offers academic institutions an approachable opportunity to offer students hands-on experience with design and manufacturing concepts as well as the up- and downstream implications for innovation, product development, and supply chains.
Across the Board Investment
3D printing is disruptive across a broad range of industries. While 3D printers may be looked at as a commodity, industries from automotive to aerospace and from machine design to consumer products, build intricate shapes with digital light processing – touching nearly any industry students may enter as future professionals.
Regardless of academic discipline, 3D printing applications are diverse, and the impact far reaching. From classroom projects to engineering innovations and makerspace services to research labs, incorporating additive manufacturing on campus is an investment in technology, processes, and people. Offering hands-on experience with a game-changing technology in a reliable system that rapidly produces high-quality parts relevant to a wide range of disciplines and subject areas within the university environment is an all-inclusive investment.
Jumpstarting Student Projects
From race teams to art shows, on-campus 3D printing allows students to put their creative designs and innovations on display.
The design freedom of 3D printing gives student engineering teams a competitive advantage to develop solutions for challenges of lightweighting, performance efficiency, and cost-effective production. The high-quality results and surface finish of DLP prints deliver parts with precise tolerances in less time. The on-demand, tooling-free nature of 3D printing allows teams to iterate as needed.
DLP printers, known for smoother, more organic surface finishes, are also used to create art pieces with precise details or molds for larger installations. Empower creativity and innovation on campus and let students reach their highest creative and technical potential with ETEC digital light processing.
Incubating the Business Community
Institutions of higher education serve as reference points to incubate disruptive technologies and implement road-to-adoption strategies for the local business community. Developing 3D printing expertise allows knowledge transfer to foster innovation partnerships and provide opportunities for the businesses in your area to benefit, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The increasing adoption of 3D printers in industry will continue to drive demand for 3D design and process skill sets. Graduates with experience with additive technologies are increasingly sought after by a wide range of employers. Offer the expertise of your institution with market-ready solutions that incubate local innovations and nurture the job market for your future graduates.
Easy to Get Started
Students learn to solve problems with hands-on experience, and ETEC offers systems that perform with industrial reliability but are easy-to-operate without complicated installation requirements. Bringing in accessible additive manufacturing technologies spreads an innovation mindset that has even led to on-campus improvements, like printing replacement residence hall lamp knobs or electronics boxes for the IT department.
The software-controlled process offers an easy-to-adopt approach, allowing the machine to be operated like a tool without hours of training or adjustments needed. Design files are uploaded into Desktop Metal software for auto orientation, support generation, and printing parameter assignment. And switching materials for flexible production is as simple as pouring resin into a clean material tray.
DLP 3D printers like the Envision One perform at speeds and qualities that create an exciting environment for students to relate to their projects and learn with direct experience.
Resources
Learn about the latest in polymer 3D printing technology.
Education and Polymer 3D Printing Brochure
An increasing number of industries are working with additive manufacturing technologies to innovate and optimize. Learn how investing in 3D printing systems allows students to gain invaluable hands-on experience.
Ultimate Guide to DLP 3D Printing Technology
This comprehensive guide provides a technical overview of digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing, along with the latest on top-down printing and new types of photopolymer resins that deliver durable, elastomeric material properties.
Education and Polymer 3D Printing Brochure
An increasing number of industries are working with additive manufacturing technologies to innovate and optimize. Learn how investing in 3D printing systems allows students to gain invaluable hands-on experience.
Ultimate Guide to DLP 3D Printing Technology
This comprehensive guide provides a technical overview of digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing, along with the latest on top-down printing and new types of photopolymer resins that deliver durable, elastomeric material properties.