3D printing in the education of graphic engineering and design students

Abstract

Today, 3D printing is taking its constantly growing part in a lot of different manufacturing industries, educational institutions and a lot of entrepreneurship and home businesses. Besides prototyping and proof of concept, utilization of 3D printing is undoubtedly spreading its roots in manufacturing of production and spare parts but also in aiding research and teaching processes. 3D printing has reinforced the self-employed segment of market called makers but also has influenced forming a significant number of educational online video channels. A lot of crowdfunded web sites promote affordable desktop 3D printers and 3D modellers and designers who design models exclusively for 3D printing, taking its specificity into account. Also, a community of designers, through 3D printing hubs where their work can be purchased, are thriving. There is also a massive trend in developing new materials for 3D printing such as electrically conductive composites, fire-resistant materials and materials with high strength or resilience. In the graphic industry, there is some progress regarding the utilization of 3D printing in the form of tactile maps and picture books, manufacturing customizable packaging, embossing tools, making parts for colour measuring equipment and printing of textiles. However, there is undoubtedly undiscovered usage intended for improvements in this branch of industry. The first part of this research aims to present existing researches and projects regarding the usage of 3D printing in creative and interdisciplinary industries such as graphic industry. The second part of this paper focuses on different initiatives in aiding educational process worldwide, and some of the methodology of implementing 3D printing in education. In the final part of this research, the potential of 3D printing for educational purposes of graphic engineering and design students is discussed. Methodology for getting theoretical and practical knowledge is proposed through a designed catalogue of 3D printing parameters. The purpose of this catalogue is to introduce undergraduate students with one of the most used and affordable 3D printing technique known as Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) and to provide them with basic knowledge of 3D printing parameters which further on can be expanded and supplemented.