The size, shape and purpose of a lab depends wholly on the goals set prior to its construction and will differ from school to school. Here are three examples of labs — ranked from simple to state-of-the-art — that feature both Stratasys FDM® and Polyjet™ technology.
Warren Tech Satellite Campus at Lakewood High School
Year Lab Was Created: 2007
Number of Printers: 4
Number of Student Users: 250+
Department Users: Engineering, Design, Art (Ceramics and Sculpture), Dental, Medical and Culinary
St. Cloud State University Year Lab Was Created: 2018
Number of Printers: 12
Number of Student Users: 3,500 per semester
Department Users: Engineering, Mathematics, Design, Environmental & Technological Studies and Marketing & Communications
Savannah College of Art & Design
Year Lab Was Created: 2004
Number of Printers: 22
Number of Student Users: 7,500+ per year
Department Users: Open to all students and majors
Before you even purchase a 3D printer, it’s best to order sample parts so you can see and compare the various capabilities of different systems. Plus, samples are great for demonstrating the value and possibilities of 3D printing to key stakeholders.
As you’re planning the layout of your lab, check with facility management to make sure the space you’ve designated is set up with the right ventilation and power it will need to operate safely and efficiently.
Set up 3D printing apprenticeships, internships or work studies to give students who have a strong interest in 3D printing the chance to enhance their skills on the job. This will also give you the bodies you need to handle the stream of print jobs that may come through.
Depending on the size of your lab, you’ll want to make sure that you have at least one certified operator on staff to oversee the operation and maintenance of your 3D printers.
Offer a minor or a handful of in-depth courses that give students the opportunity to learn how to create and optimize designs for successful prints.
Have your students learn together by grouping them into teams of three to five. Describe the objective at hand, give an overview of the machine they’ll be using to achieve the objective, demonstrate the print process and then task them with replicating that process.
Besides offering enhanced learning opportunities for students, your 3D printing lab can also double as a service bureau for businesses in your community seeking out 3D printing services.
If you’re unsure of how many 3D printers you’ll need to meet demand, use this formula to get a baseline number.
Open to all experience levels and specialties, a collaborative makerspace focuses on throughput and creating the final part rather than achieving specific material properties or creating for specific applications. This type of lab is a great place for beginners to learn about 3D printing.
Only available to students in a specific college within a university (e.g., the college of design or engineering), the academic lab typically features a mix of high-end and user-friendly equipment. This type of lab should also be staffed by knowledgeable experts who would ensure the lab runs like a parts provider.
Available to students, professors and researchers in a wide range of disciplines, or to all, this type of lab features the latest in high-end 3D printing equipment as well as a streamlined process for part building and delivery. Run and staffed by knowledgeable product experts, this lab also functions as a parts provider and 3D printing resource for the surrounding community.
There are a wide range of 3D printing materials and systems available to you. Being clear about the goals of your lab and your students will help you focus in on the right solution.
The most accessible and widely used form of 3D printing is FDM®. FDM 3D printers build parts layer-by-layer from the bottom up by heating and extruding thermoplastic filament. Additionally, properties like toughness, electrostatic dissipation, translucence, biocompatibility, UV resistance and high-heat deflection makes FDM ideal for a variety of applications ranging from basic proof-of-concept models to functional prototypes.
Knowledge of build setup, minor maintenance, machine operation and finishing.
Air-conditioned environment, a dedicated space with ventilation and compressed air for larger systems.
Support removal system and optional finishing system.
Bring industrial-grade 3D printing to the classroom with the easy-to-use, reliable and affordable Stratasys F123™ Series 3D printers.
Achieve ongoing batch production with minimal operator intervention with the Stratasys Continuous Build 3D Demonstrator.
Known for producing hyper-realistic end products with smooth surfaces and ultra-fine detailing, PolyJet™ technology works by jetting liquid photopolymers onto a build tray where each droplet cures under ultraviolet (UV) light. And by combining a variety of photopolymers in specific concentrations and microstructures, PolyJet systems can simulate everything from leather and plastic to human tissue in a broad gamut of colors.
Knowledge of build setup, minor maintenance, machine operation and finishing.
An air conditioned environment and a dedicated space for larger systems.
Support removal system.
Give design students and researchers the tools they need to bring their most fantastic ideas and inventions to life with the Stratasys J850™ 3D printer.
In addition to selecting the right 3D printing systems, having the right software in place can help you create a more efficient 3D printing process from start to finish.
GrabCAD Print™ simplifies the traditional 3D print preparation workflow and provides cloud-based intelligence around printer usage so students can get quality prints, faster.
Design on the Micro Level GrabCAD Voxel Print™ allows you to achieve unlimited combinations of colors, textures, transparencies, properties and behaviors with your prints.
Ready to start planning your lab? Request more information from your local reseller at stratasys.com
