3D Printing Drives Applied Research

3D printing at Purdue University (Purdue) has opened up a world of opportunities to students, taking them beyond 2D concepts to creating tangible, real-world designs.

For Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering David Cappelleri, 3D printing with PolyJet^™ technology has changed the way his students approach the design process entirely. Cappelleri uses 3D printing to create custom surgical equipment and found that moving away from an inherently 2D method of laser cutting to a more hands-on approach has profound benefits.

“It’s enabled us to start thinking in 3D,” Cappelleri said. “Thinking in 3D is a much more intuitive way to design, and that makes everything go faster. When we can design for 3D printing, we can start to get functional designs with structural integrity.”

The iterative nature of 3D printing has also fundamentally changed the way Cappelleri’s teaches design. He has also noticed a shift in his students’ thinking since they have transitioned into 3D printing. While they might enjoy the design and print process, it’s the analysis that happens afterward that Cappelleri finds of value for his students.

“Students are very enthusiastic,” Cappelleri said. “They love to see what’s on the screen come to life, and because of the iterative nature of the 3D printing process, they can design and build again, which gives them the motivation to understand analysis techniques.”