Proposal

The purpose of this tech fee proposal is to purchase a 3D printer for use by our undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in GIS and remote sensing.  A few years back our department created a state of the art stereo 3D computer lab where students can visualize 3D information using stereo view shutter glasses on specialized workstation monitors. More recently, we have students who are also using various technologies to acquire their own 3D data, including 3D laser scanning of objects.

While our students can visualize this 3D information in our computer lab, they cannot actually physically represent that information.  Whether it’s a 3D building design, digital elevation model of the terrain for a study area or a research specimen such as small organisms, students can only visualize these things.  A 3D printer will actually let them “print” out real, physical objects that they are studying and researching in a variety of our classes.

In the past, 3D printers were tens of thousands of dollars, but recently several companies have come out with excellent low cost systems that are also very inexpensive to operate.  We have identified Makerbot’s 5^th generation Replicator as an excellent choice costing around $3,000 and printing plastic supplies at just $50 per kg.  Our existing software, including ArcGIS and SketchUp are also compatible with these new 3D printers.

Strategic Plan Goal I: Enrich the Educational Experience:

One of the fastest growing technologies today is 3D printing and the ability to “manufacture” objects quickly at a very low cost.  Our goal is to train students in the acquisition and creation of 3D data and information.  Being able to create and “print” 3D objects is a highly marketable skill that will make our graduate very desirable in a modern workplace.

1. 3D printer - Makerbot's 5th generation Replicator model.  http://store.makerbot.com/replicator.  $3,250 with extended service plan
   
2. 10 kg of Plastic printing supplies for 3D printer.  $50/kg.