The society in its main base of operations, the Dyson Centre for Engineering Design
The Cambridge University 3D Printing Society (CU3DSoc), founded in 2016, is in its infancy. Entirely student run and comprised of more than 30 first and second year undergraduate students, the team has ambitions to become the focal point for student 3D printing at the university.
James Roberts, CU3DSoc Director, was a first-year undergraduate student when he co-founded the society. Additive manufacturing is not currently an official part of the engineering curriculum for first and second year students; all society members are self-taught. Thanks to access to several Stratasys printers, the society is undertaking complex engineering projects, while also setting about its mission to educate peers and create a nationwide 3D printing network.
Self-taught, industry relevant skills
For Roberts, the attraction of a 3D printing society was simple. As individuals, they were undertaking personal projects, but it soon became clear that larger collaborative projects were much more productive.
“Every week we have a set of students who have access to our 3D printers. They come up with all kinds of designs and within a few hours they can 3D print the final product,” says Roberts. “This is invaluable for teaching our members.”
To strengthen the offering of their society, the team has partnered with Stratasys to provide access to 3D printers, parts, consultancy and expertise. According to Roberts, exposure to the technology has enabled members of his society to learn how to solve complex problems effectively and deliver the knowledge and skillsets required to prepare them for their future careers.
“Stratasys’ commitment to education inspired us to reach out and form a partnership,” says Roberts. “They provide us with advice, expertise and projects, which will help set us up for our future endeavours and prepare the students for tomorrow’s STEM jobs. We are looking forward to the enhanced opportunities this will offer our members.”
3D printing for all
Currently, the students of CU3DSoc are predominantly engineering students, which represents only a marginal percentage of the undergraduate body. That said, the team has ambitions to include arts, architecture and medical students in their membership over the coming year and it is working with 3D Printing Societies at the University of Oxford and Huddersfield University in the hope of creating a national network.
“Additive manufacturing and companies like Stratasys will continue to play a larger role in advancing multiple industries,” explains Roberts. “We want the next generation of engineers to be prepared, to have knowledge of additive manufacturing and to be able to confront the problems of the modern global workforce head on.”
The team with its robotic archery turret REMAP project
Delivering real-life solutions
CU3DSoc members are involved in several projects aimed at providing effective 3D printing solutions to real-life problems. Roberts and the team recently approached REMAP, a disability charity creating custom sports equipment. The current approach to producing a robotic archery turret for paralysed children is very complex, involving woodworking, metal and Velcro straps.
“The team’s biggest problem was reliability,” explains James. “A lot of force goes through the handle and the current strap simply wasn’t strong enough to withstand the force passing through it.”
To overcome this challenge, the team 3D scanned the bow handle and frame, and 3D printed a unique part to replace the strap and hold the device firmly in place. With 3D printing, the team could produce this component within 24 hours, compared to the weeks required to produce a similar component traditionally.
A team of CU3DSoc members are currently working on the ‘flexible prosthetic hand project’ having received the brief from the Bristol-based company Open Bionics. The project aims to create a flexible, 3D printed prosthetic hand for amputees with some remaining wrist or elbow function. The final products are being designed to be sent to developing countries where access to prosthesis is limited. The team chose to bypass the traditional, time-consuming and expensive plaster-casting method and opted for 3D printing to keep costs down to £10-£20 per product. Due to the toughness of the material, the final prosthesis will also be durable, reliable and easily reproducible.
