3D Printing Supplement HOWBATH UNIVERSITYAND


BfB IGNITED THE 3D PRINTING MARKET FOR EDUCATION


3D printers are rapidly becoming a must-have machine in design and


technology. Afew years ago 3D printers


were found only in high tech research and manufacturing organisations who could justify the investment in machines


costing £25,000 and more. Although 3D printing has


been around for thirty years, a mechanical engineering lecturer DrAdrian Bowyer from Bath University had a dream – a machine which replicates itself. He created a self-replicating machine which can produce a


new version of itself. Dr Bowyer told Technology in


Education: “It’s potentially an extremely powerful and useful technology. Ultimately, it will give anyone the ability to make almost anything for themselves. “Our aim was to create and


give away a machine that makes useful stuff, enabling its owner to easily and cheaply make another one for someone else.” Dubbed RepRap, Dr Bowyer


and his international team have kept the costs of producing the machine low which has led to five companies being created and an estimated 2,500 RepRap machines being used across the world. BitsfromBytes (BfB) took this


Official supplier to worldskills London 2011


open source design and turned it into a commercial project kit for education known as the Rapman. This has ignited interest in 3D printing and has led to a BETT award. Technology Supplies Ltd has


become the sole approved distributor of Rapman for UK education andA1 and Denford


Technology in Education No.185 September 2011 18


are resellers of the machines. One of the first companies


offering 3D printing to education was Hayling Island-based Emco, who started selling this technology to universities and colleges. Now there are a number of


companies selling a wide range of 3D printers in terms of sophistication and price. These include Boxford, Denford, Solar Lasers, Technology Supplies and TechSoft. No doubt you are fully aware


that 3D printing is an additive technology by which a solid model or prototype can built by printing a series of slices which eventually build the object.


On this and following


editorial pages Technology in Education takes a look at a number of 3D printers and the companies behind them.


Circle No.E9 Check out our website: www.technology-in-education.co.uk


Circle No.A16


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