11215 Views (as of 05/2023)
  1. Eric Wooldridge
  3. Professor
  4. Presenter’s NSFRESOURCECENTERS
  5. Somerset Community College
  1. Samantha Godsey
  2. https://www.linkedin.com/in/scgodsey
  3. Project Manager
  4. Presenter’s NSFRESOURCECENTERS
  5. Somerset Community College

Additive Manufacturing: Expanding Futures in Appalachia

NSF Awards: 1600081

2019 (see original presentation & discussion)

Grades K-6, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Undergraduate, Adult learners

Although many schools and colleges now have 3D printers, more often than not, this equipment is poorly utilized in comparison to its true potential.  Too many users are unaware of the transition that is occurring in the additive manufacturing (AM) industry and the number of next-gen products that currently being developed.  Likewise, too few understand that to fully unleash the power of this technology, the user must have a different mindset and learn to solve their problems from a completely new direction. 

The AMEFA (Additive Manufacturing: Expanding Futures in Appalachia) project at Somerset Community College (SCC) resulted in K-12 STEM teacher training and accredited curriculum that broke through the mold of how 3D printers were utilized.  The project exposed students and teachers alike to the industrial realities of AM and the game changing power it is bringing to entrepreneurs, businesses, and even consumers.  The curriculum teaches students how to rethink their approach to making something they need in the most efficient way possible.  How to apply different materials to different situations.  To virtually grow a design solution to fit a problem parameter.  Utilize free software and cloud based repositories of free files to save time and continuously innovate beyond what is existing.  To think like an entrepreneur and to create next-gen products that defy conventional thought.  Resulting in students that are more aware of their personal potential and their ability to utilize AM technology not only for their own benefit, but also for the benefit of those around them.   

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Discussion from the 2019 STEM for All Video Showcase (10 posts)
  • Icon for: Samantha Godsey

    Samantha Godsey

    Co-Presenter
    Project Manager
    May 13, 2019 | 10:30 a.m.

    Welcome Students, Businesses, and Researchers!

    We'd love to hear from you!  Please tell us:

    1. How you are incorporating 3d printing.
    2. The research you're doing to further the science of additive manufacturing.
    3. How generative design is changing how we teach and apply cadd to realize our ideas, and bring them to life.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, let us know you were here!

  • Icon for: Kristen Reed

    Kristen Reed

    Facilitator
    Senior Project Director
    May 14, 2019 | 08:18 a.m.

    Thanks for your video! I'd love to hear more about the ways additive manufacturing has changed practice in the industry. I was wondering if you could provide some examples of the products made through additive manufacturing and ways that the companies you've worked with have used it. Thank you!

  • Icon for: Samantha Godsey

    Samantha Godsey

    Co-Presenter
    Project Manager
    May 14, 2019 | 12:44 p.m.

    Hi Ms. Reed,

    Thank you for your question.  

    I can use an example to answer your first question.  We work with a small tool and die company to take a die that takes 4 separate contractors, and 9 work station operations to create.  Using additive, instead of subtractive (traditional methods), they can create the die in-house, save weeks and 2 factors of magnitude from the cost!

    We work with manufacturers to simply make parts using additive, to redesign parts to take full advantage of additive, and with new entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life.

    Taking advantage of additive manufacturing means to embrace generative design.  Complex, internal geometries are best made using additive methods.  Generative design puts strength where you need it, and places lightweight, material saving honeycomb structures where you don't. 

    Thanks for the discussion!

    Samantha

  • Icon for: Cynthia Callard

    Cynthia Callard

    Facilitator
    Executive Director/Professor
    May 14, 2019 | 07:43 p.m.

    Thank you for sharing your work through this video!  It is so interesting to hear about and think about the implications of additive manufacturing for businesses.  I was wondering if you could tell us a little bit more about your work with teachers and students?  Have you connected with K-12 schools, or are you working primarily in the Community College setting?  Thanks!

  • Icon for: Eric Wooldridge

    Eric Wooldridge

    Lead Presenter
    Professor
    May 14, 2019 | 11:09 p.m.

    Both, we have provided workshops for K-12 and CC instructors, though with ATE we prefer to target CC and high school teachers.  But we have taught many elementary and middle school folks as well.  Our K-12 workshops typically are 8 hour days where we present the key economics of the AM tech, then the software, hardware, and practical applications.  Our objective is to point instructors towards using AM for more practical work, and move beyond producing keychains and trinkets, which are counterproductive to the real impact of the technology.  As part of our funding we give each participating school a low cost 3D printer of their own to take back the classroom.

    If you would like to see some of the work and photos from these workshops, check out our FB page.

    https://www.facebook.com/cadd.lab

    Also, we provide a lot of other videos and case studies related to AM through our cloud storage drive.  

    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B8JI1yxUo895NkowR1JCVUw2RnM

    https://somerset.kctcs.edu/education-training/program-finder/digital-printing-technology-3d-printing.aspx

     

     

  • Icon for: Cynthia Callard

    Cynthia Callard

    Facilitator
    Executive Director/Professor
    May 16, 2019 | 10:44 a.m.

    Thank you for sharing your experiences and resources.  I appreciate your efforts to build knowledge and new understandings of AM at the K-12 and CC levels.  It seems important to help move users beyond just thinking of it as a cool, "new" technology, to how can we actually think differently and leverage this technology so as to be more mindful about resource use and also consider new possibilities.

  • Icon for: Rachel Garrett

    Rachel Garrett

    Facilitator
    Senior Researcher
    May 14, 2019 | 08:01 p.m.

    Thank you for your exciting video. It really sounds like you are on the path for huge impact across Kentucky, and even beyond. It made me curious about whether you've had a chance yet to learn about how students that take your course (or is it a larger program?) do in terms of (a) learning outcomes in related classes, (b) ability to get a job after they graduate, since I'm wondering if potential employers can readily recognize the value of their skills, and, (c) how your graduates are able to use their skills for success once they begin employment? Really fascinating work!!

     
    1
    Discussion is closed. Upvoting is no longer available

    Samantha Godsey
  • Icon for: Eric Wooldridge

    Eric Wooldridge

    Lead Presenter
    Professor
    May 14, 2019 | 11:19 p.m.

    Very good questions.  To save on a lot of typing and reading, check out the link to my audio response.

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iYrfMBvGim5bYLuHuDlLtYx__oLMfbXs/view?usp=sharing

  • Icon for: Satyanand Singh

    Satyanand Singh

    Higher Ed Faculty
    May 15, 2019 | 07:15 p.m.

    I enjoyed this innovative approach to utilizing 3D printing with entrepreneurs in mind which could lead to cutting edge 

    creations.

     
    1
    Discussion is closed. Upvoting is no longer available

    Samantha Godsey
  • Icon for: Eric Wooldridge

    Eric Wooldridge

    Lead Presenter
    Professor
    May 16, 2019 | 11:24 p.m.

    Thanks!  It has opened the doors for several small businesses to introduce new products to the market with much lower investment risks. 

  • Further posting is closed as the event has ended.