AST2 Unveils 3-D Printer at America Makes Meeting
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Applied Systems & Technology Transfer LLC introduced its Invent3D printer at the America Makes’ project management review meeting here last week, the company announced today.
Invent3D is specifically designed to integrate with AST2’s InventorCloud program, a STEM -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics -- education program for students K-12 as well as post-secondary schools. Youngstown City Schools students from Choffin Career & Technical Center and Chaney VPA/STEM High School are manufacturing the Invent3D printers. Students are using precision CNC machine skills, 3-D printers and laser cutting equipment to manufacture printer components in an after-school jobs program, the company said.
AST2 is a founding member of America Makes, formerly known as the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute.
“This is a great opportunity for Youngstown city school students to learn real-world skills that will lead to lifelong career success,” says Dr. Connie Hathorn, Youngstown school superintendent. “In addition, many of our students, as young as third grade, are taking Inventorcloud classes that interest them in science, math and technology and teach important life skills like teamwork and communication.”
The Invent3D printer is designed to allow teams of students to assemble, use and dissemble the printer for use by the next team of students. This immersive, hands-on experience reinforces students’ understanding of additive manufacturing, teamwork and project-based learning. Students can use the Invent3D printer to build their own prototypes that they design in the InventorCloud courses. Invent3D is available for use by students and teachers in classrooms and after school programs as well as summer camps, children’s museums and similar venues.
“We have developed the Invent3D printer to specifically address the lessons learned from more than three years’ of experience using 3D printers in the classroom as an educational tool,” said Jack Scott, president of AST2 who led the development of the Invent3D Printer.
AST2 developed the Invent3D printer in its role with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, which received funding from America Makes to develop processes for domestic sources of materials for additive manufacturing in support of infrastructure in air and space vehicles applications. An element of the project is education and outreach to students and educators, providing information and creating initiatives to raise awareness of additive manufacturing and the skills necessary for this emerging industry.
Additionally, the company said, MakerGear, a leading 3-D printer developer and manufacturer in northeastern Ohio, provided technical support to AST2 with design of Invent3D.
Youngstown City Schools offers InventorCloud courses at Chaney VPA/STEM, Youngstown Early College and Discovery @ Kirkmere. In addition, more than a dozen school districts in northeastern Ohio offer the InventorCloud program this school year, and the program will expand to more than 40 schools during the 2014-2015 academic year, said Julie Michael Smith, executive vice president of AST2.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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