3D printers in education

Schools and universities are increasingly introducing
3D printers into their classrooms.

How 3D printing supports educators

A student working with 3D printed educational aids.

Educators face three major challenges in their work

  • Skills sought after in the job market evolve faster than their curriculums

  • Customized educational aids are expensive and take a long time to fabricate

  • Shortages in educational aids or equipment lead to lower pass rates

Tailored educational aids

3D printers can print almost all shapes, so educational aids can be designed specifically for a given curriculum.

Predictable costs

Models of different designs can be fabricated at a steady price in a predictable time.

Creative freedom

Engineering students can use 3D printers to build physical models of their own design and interact with them.

Higher pass rates

3D printers make it possible to offer sets of educational aids to each individual student which increases the pass rates.

Workflow in using 3D printing educational aids

Educators can implement 3D printers in their work following four simple steps. Here's how it works.

Step 1: Curriculum development

A curriculum is designed to maximize student learning outcomes.

Step 2: Design courses

A course teaching CAD software and design principles is developed.

Step 2: CAD design

Educational aids for the curriculum are designed in CAD software.

Step 3: Practical classes

Students use available 3D printers to fabricate their own designs.

Step 3: 3D printing

Models are 3D printed in-house on an on-demand basis.

Step 4: Discussion

Students can see how their designs work in real world and discuss it with the teacher.

Step 4: Flexible adjustments

Additional educational aids can be quickly printed as new students sign up for a course.

Step 4: Discussion

Students can see how their designs work in real world and discuss it with the teacher.

Step 3: Practical classes

Students use available 3D printers to fabricate their own designs.

Step 2: Design courses

A course teaching CAD software and design principles is developed.

Step 1: Curriculum development

A curriculum is designed to maximize student learning outcomes.

Step 2: CAD design

Educational aids for the curriculum are designed in CAD software.

Step 3: 3D printing

Models are 3D printed in-house on an on-demand basis.

Step 4: Flexible adjustments

Additional educational aids can be quickly printed as new students sign up for a course.

3D printing technologies for education

The choice of the right 3D printing technology for a school or a university depends on the projected size and number of the models.

Parts with complex geometry

Resin 3D printing technologies like the Zortrax UV LCD are best for small yet complex products made in high quantities.

See more

Parts with simple geometry

LPD technology is the most cost-efficient for making simple medium size models in large quantities.

See more

Parts with complex internal geometry

LPD Plus technology is best for intricately designed, medium size details with complex internal architectures like anatomical models.

See more

High-quality end-use products

SVS automated post-processing devices can be used with LPD or LPD Plus printers to make water-tight models with superior aesthetics.

See more

Our Users stories

Read more about the impact 3D printing technology has on businesses that have implemented it already.