Makerspace Lab
The Makerspace Lab includes workstations, 3d printers, a laser cutter, soldering stations, and other equipment to use in the ideation and implementation phases of the design process. This lab is securely designed for work associated with Stratasys industrial 3-D printers.
The College of Aeronautics and Engineering (CAE) has a Stratasys Objet260 Connex3 3D printer and a Stratasys F270 3D printer. Open to the public by reservation. Come in to watch a demonstration or to print!
Both the Stratasys Objet260 Connex3 3D printer and the Stratasys F270 3D printer were purchased with a grant from the State of Ohio. The first Regionally Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills (RAPIDS) initiative awarded the College of Aeronautics and Engineering $140,000 to purchase the printer. RAPIDS 3 funds were used to purchase the F270 machine. This investment will allow students to acquire the knowledge and skills critical for advanced manufacturing. To fulfill the conditions of the grant, we will make the equipment available to students outside of the College and at other institutions. If you are interested in a demonstration of the printer for a group or would like something printed, please complete the form below and we will contact you. A small cost may be associated with the materials required for printing.
3D Printers
The Formlabs Form 2 is a professional desktop 3D printer that uses stereolithography (SLA) technology to deliver high-resolution, detailed prints. It supports a wide range of proprietary resin materials developed by Formlabs, making it suitable for various applications including prototyping, engineering, dentistry, and jewelry. These materials include standard resins (Clear, White, Grey, Black) for general-purpose use, engineering resins like Tough, Durable, Rigid, High Temp, and Flexible for functional and mechanical parts, and specialized resins such as Castable Wax for investment casting and several biocompatible resins for dental and medical use. The Form 2 features a build envelope of 145 脳 145 脳 175 mm (5.7 脳 5.7 脳 6.9 in), providing a balance between size and precision. It can print with layer heights as fine as 25 microns, producing smooth surface finishes and intricate details, although finer settings result in slower print times. Depending on the model and material, build speeds vary, but the printer is optimized for consistency and quality rather than high throughput. With its 250 mW laser, touchscreen interface, and automated resin system, the Form 2 offers a reliable and user-friendly printing experience.
The ZPrinter 450 by Z Corporation (now part of 3D Systems) is a professional full-color 3D printer that uses ColorJet Printing (CJP) technology to produce vibrant, detailed models directly from digital files. It is designed for office use and supports automated powder loading and material recycling, making it user-friendly and low-maintenance. The printer features a build volume of 203 脳 254 脳 203 mm (8 脳 10 脳 8 inches) and a build speed of approximately 23 mm/hour, with layer thicknesses ranging from 0.089 to 0.102 mm. One of the key materials used is ZP151 powder, a high-performance composite powder that works with a dedicated binder to create strong, detailed models in full color. ZP151 offers improved strength, color vibrancy, and edge definition compared to earlier powders, making it ideal for concept modeling, architectural designs, and educational applications. The printer is compatible with file formats like STL, VRML, and PLY, and includes features such as noise suppression and safe material handling, making it a versatile and reliable option for full-color prototyping.
The LulzBot TAZ Pro S is an industrial-grade desktop 3D printer engineered for professionals seeking high-performance and reliability. It features a spacious build volume of 280 x 280 x 285 mm, allowing for the creation of large prototypes and functional parts. Equipped with a single-extrusion 1.75 mm tool head, the TAZ Pro S supports a wide range of materials, including PLA, ABS and , TPU thanks to its hardened steel dual drive gears and a maximum nozzle temperature of 290掳C. The printer boasts advanced features such as automatic X/Y/Z offset calibration, self-leveling, and nozzle wiping, ensuring consistent print quality and ease of use. Its 5-inch full-color touchscreen interface, filament runout detection, and reinforced electronics contribute to a user-friendly and durable design. Made in the USA, the TAZ Pro S is ideal for applications in engineering, manufacturing, and education, offering precise and dependable 3D printing capabilities.
The Stratasys F270 is a professional-grade FDM 3D printer designed for precision, reliability, and ease of use in office and educational environments. Part of the F123 Series, it offers a generous build volume of 305 x 254 x 305 mm (12 x 10 x 12 inches), making it suitable for producing functional prototypes, jigs, fixtures, and end-use parts.
The F270 supports PLA hermoplastic materials, accommodating various application needs. Its dual-material bays allow for automatic material changeover, enhancing productivity during extended print jobs. The printer features a fully enclosed build chamber, ensuring consistent temperature control and improved print quality. Additionally, it utilizes soluble support materials like QSR, enabling the creation of complex geometries with ease. Equipped with the GrabCAD Print software, the F270 simplifies the 3D printing workflow by allowing direct printing from CAD files, real-time monitoring, and efficient queue management. Its user-friendly interface and robust performance make it an ideal choice for professionals seeking dependable and high-quality 3D printing solutions.
The Stratasys Objet260 Connex3 is a professional-grade 3D printer known for its advanced multi-material and full-color printing capabilities. Using PolyJet technology, it can print with up to three materials simultaneously, enabling the creation of complex prototypes that incorporate different colors, textures, and mechanical properties within a single build. It offers a build volume of 255 x 252 x 200 mm (10.0 x 9.9 x 7.9 inches) and achieves high precision with a layer resolution as fine as 16 microns. The printer supports a wide range of materials, including rigid opaques like VeroWhitePlus and VeroBlackPlus, rubber-like materials such as Agilus30 and TangoPlus, transparent options like VeroClear, and engineering-grade materials including Digital ABS Plus, high-temperature, and biocompatible resins. It uses soluble support materials, allowing for the efficient production of intricate geometries and reducing post-processing efforts, making it ideal for product design, engineering, and healthcare applications.