The
drafting lab received its first Dimension, (3-D) printer.
“We just got it up and running a week ago,” said Drafting
and design occupational education lab assistant, Bobby Medley.
“Students are excited,” said Medley. “Students can
now hold in their hands the design they actually drew.”
The ATC already had its own Dimension 3-D printer for its machining
technology and industrial labs for three years, but now the architecture,
and drafting and design students have the opportunity to wheel their
dreams into solid reality, as well.
The
Dimension 3-D printer turn a two-dimensional design into a 3-D object.
Photo by Meagan O-Toole Pitts
“Art students will be printing their 3-D art in the future,”
said art professor Ron Clark. “It can be used for sculptures
too,” said Medley.
The new printer costs roughly $30,000. Both printers allow students
to create functional 3-D models such as miniature architectural designs,
a working wrench, a bottle with screw on top and even custom bolts
used to hold chairs together in the auditorium at the Transmountain
campus.
The printers print 3-D objects by layering plastics continually, one-hundredths
of an inch at a time, until it takes the shape of the desired product.
“Inventors come in and we make them a prototype,” said
machining technology professor Angel Lerma, “and charge a minimal
fee for the materials used.”
EPCC graduate, Alexander Freidrich, returned to EPCC after getting
his degree in drafting and design.
He now gets to see his own architectural designs as low-scaled model
houses thanks to the new technology. Before, he could only see his
model at home on his computer.
The Dimension 3-D printer allows students to evaluate their designs
and build a portfolio of their work. “You are limited only by
your imagination,” said Hedley regarding students’ abilities
when using the Dimension 3-D printer.
EPCC students aren’t the only ones benefiting from the 3-D printing
capabilities now available.
“UTEP engineering students take their engineering graphics labs
here,” said Medley. UTEP engineering students also take labs
at the ATC.
“UTEP doesn’t have the same machining needed,” said
Lerma. The ATC is now developing a fee schedule for solid model services
in hopes of generating enough revenue for the college to build a full-time
3-D printing center in the future, as the college continues its advance
into digital technology.
