Renishaw launches free 3D printer loan scheme for schools

25 July 2018

Global engineering company Renishaw has purchased ten 3D printers to loan to primary and secondary schools in South Wales as part of a free scheme. As well as the printer itself, schools will receive hands on training from Renishaw on how to use a 3D printer. The project will be rolled out in September 2018 to help engage and inspire the next generation of engineers in a fun and educational way.

Each school will have access to a 3D printer for a period of up to three months. During this time, Simon Biggs, Education Outreach Officer at Renishaw, will train the pupils and teachers on how to use the printers to support the school curriculum, either at the school or at Renishaw's Fabrication Development Centre (FDC) in Miskin, South Wales. The schools will also receive downloadable training resources from CREATE Education Project — an organisation that provides free resources and support to help educators introduce and embed 3D printing technology in the classroom.

“The manufacturing industry is really starting to see the benefits of 3D printing and it looks like the technology will be a fundamental part of engineering in the future,” explained Biggs. “3D printing is also a fantastic classroom resource because it allows pupils to easily create physical versions of their ideas, which teaches them about design and manufacturing principles.

“The majority of schools don't have access to a 3D printer or lack the skills needed to make the most of the technology,” continued Biggs. “Renishaw's 3D printer loan scheme will give students and teachers enriched classroom experiences and provide an exciting opportunity to learn more about engineering. We hope that more schools will educate and inspire their pupils with the technology.”

Renishaw's training will introduce the schools to Tinkercad, a free computer-aided design (CAD) software developed by Autodesk to introduce pupils to CAD at a young age. The company will also explain how to 3D print the structures that the pupils design. This process enhances capabilities in design and technology (D&T) classes and can also bring benefits to other subjects across the curriculum, such as maths, geography and art.

Renishaw will loan schools a 3D printer that uses fused deposition modelling (FDM), commonly known as plastic 3D printing, using polylactic acid (PLA) plastic. The printers are robust and easy to use, capable of printing complex designs to illustrate teaching points as well as simple products designed by primary school pupils.

The project will begin in South Wales in September 2018 and will be rolled out to schools in Gloucestershire and Bristol in the future.

Renishaw has a well-established education outreach programme that helps to inspire the next generation of engineers. For more information about Renishaw's education outreach programme and how you can get involved visit www.renishaw.com/education

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