An Innovative Self-learning Approach to 3D Printing Using Multimedia and Augmented Reality on Mobile Devices

Abstract

Technology is evolving rapidly and it is becoming harder to keep up its pace. At a university environment, important investments are required so that students and professors can have access to novel technology. However, it is also fundamental to know how to use this novel technology to exploit its benefits. Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, recently acquired several 3D printers so that the students could get familiar with this rapid prototyping technology and use them to deliver better quality projects. Nevertheless, the new challenge was to administrate the 3D printing process including 3D model verification, STL file generation, printing time and raw material. Since students were not familiar with 3D printing, the expert had to spend a lot of time with them explaining the whole process from the modelling to the printing stage, and verifying their work to make an efficient use of 3D printing time and materials. To overcome this situation, it was decided to make use of augmented reality and multimedia applications to generate tutorials for self-learning the whole process of 3D printing. Nowadays, the wide spread of mobile devices and wireless technologies brings a huge potential to e-learning changing dramatically the traditional instructor-oriented scheme. The learning process can take place in an informal setting having the tutorials available on mobile devices by just scanning a quick response code, usually known as QR code. The first QR code enables a link to download the free augmented reality Layar app. Then, several images can be scanned using Layar to open each of the video tutorials. These videos explain graphically step by step of all the processes involved and give different options of software to be used. The tutorials are easy to follow so that any engineering or design student can learn from them. This case-study offers an innovative learning approach that fosters self-learning and a more efficient use of technology resources.