Millikin students introduced to 3D Printing Technologies
3D printing is an emerging technology that is continuing to grow and gain interest in a variety of fields.
This fall semester, Dr. Kyle Knust, assistant professor of chemistry at Millikin University, is leading an honors seminar course on 3D printing. The course covers all topics related to 3D printing technology, including 3D scanning.
With support from the Coleman Foundation, Dr. Knust introduced the course to the Millikin curriculum for the fall 2017 semester. Throughout the semester, students are learning computer-aided design software and engaging in hands-on opportunities with a variety of 3D printing technologies.
"Our focus has been taking an idea in their mind and turning it into a three-dimensional model on their computer, and then transitioning that to a physical model using 3D printing technology," Dr. Knust said.
What makes the course unique is diversity; many students from different majors are enrolled in the course who are learning 3D printing for the first time.
"It's a diverse class with many different majors, but there seems to be application for 3D printing in several different majors," Dr. Knust said. "Earlier in the semester, the students presented on an application of their interest. A theatre major discussed how 3D printing is being used for lighting design, and a future cardiologist discussed how we might print heart valves in the future. It has a lot of application."