Rockets, a mouth organ and a human hand – these were just some of the items on display during a PBSC event that showcased what you can create using 3D Printing.
The inaugural, exploratory event, titled “The Art and Science of 3D Printing” held on Tuesday, April 15, at the Boca Raton campus, allowed more than 50 students, faculty and staff to watch several 3D printers in action taking digital designs and creating them into physical objects such as a DNA double helix model, a dinosaur puzzle and a squishy turtle.
Students and representatives from PBSC’s architecture, computer science, engineering technology and machining technology also talked about how students are utilizing the College’s more than 25 3D printers to design, innovate and build in ways that were previously unimaginable.
“3D Printing is part of our curriculums because not only is it rapidly growing in the manufacturing sector, but it also offers numerous benefits for education, particularly in STEM fields, by fostering hands-on learning, promoting creativity, and enhancing problem-solving skills,” said PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D. “It also encourages innovation and collaboration, preparing students for future careers in various industries.”
An engineering technology student in attendance, Andrew Nelson, who is studying advanced manufacturing, said, “If you can imagine it, then you can 3D print it.”
Nelson, who spoke about PBSC’s Engineering Technology Program at the event along with Professor and Department Chair Dr. Eva Suarez, loves to build anything that makes noise. He has been using 3D printers to create prototype shells for synthesizers and sequencers.
“It saves me thousands of hours and dollars to be able to just print these things at home rather than using another company,” said Nelson.
3D printing has also improved the students work in PBSC’s architectural program.
“Students are increasingly using 3D printers to create physical models of their designs, helping them visualize, test and refine their ideas more efficiently,” said Dharmesh Patel, department chair of PBSC’s architecture program, who presented at the event. “It allows them to create intricate customized designs for interior and exterior walls, light fixtures, walls and more. Even common furniture items like chairs can now be created to perfectly fit the human body.”
Patel told the audience that even entire houses and commercial office buildings can now be built using 3D printers. One of those buildings, the world’s first 3D-printed commercial building, is located in Dubai. It was created with just one printer which measured 20 feet high, 120 feet long and 40 feet wide. Called the Office of the Future, its construction took 17 days and used 50 percent less manpower than conventional buildings of a comparable size and produced 60 percent less construction waste.
Another presenter was Dr. Luis Pentzke, PBSC’s district associate dean of Computer Science and Information Management, who said 3D printing can be linked to all industries including cyber security.
“3D printers can be used to print Enigma encryption machines to easily explain how encryption works,” said Pentzke who demonstrated how to use an in-house 3D printed encryption machine. “3D printing can be used to print all kinds of these machines, which can be used as keys to encrypt and decrypt messages.”
3D printers are also playing a transformative role in the development of prototypes for everyday items, significantly impacting the machining technology industry. As highlighted by CCP instructor Angel Madiedo and Program Director Carmen Modock, creating prototypes with 3D printing allows manufacturers to identify and resolve design flaws before moving to full-scale production.
“This process is crucial for ensuring product quality and minimizing costly errors in the manufacturing phase,” said Madiedo.
Through each of these four programs, PBSC students are using this technology to engage with concepts in a more hands-on way, fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of various subjects. The technology’s potential continues to grow, with increasing commercial adoption and research into new applications, transforming traditional manufacturing processes and enabling innovative solutions across industries.
Dean of Workforce Education and Development Kimberly Lea says PBSC is also ensuring cross collaboration among college disciplines.
“Cross-disciplinary collaboration among our programs fosters innovation and hands-on learning, ” said Lea. “By working together on projects, students gain valuable experience and develop entrepreneurial mindsets, better preparing them to navigate new and emerging employment opportunities.”
3D printers are currently housed at the Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Loxahatchee Groves and Lake Worth campuses. Plans are in the works to expand the Engineering Technology Program and include a 3D printer at the Belle Glade campus in the future.
For more information on PBSC’s engineering technology and computer science programs, click here. For more information on PBSC’s architecture program, click here. For more on the machining technology program, click here.
SOURCE: Inaugural event showcases how 3D Printing is transforming four PBSC programs | Palm Beach State News