Erasmus+ for the immersion in 3D printing of VET centres Erasmus Project

Project Title

Erasmus+ for the immersion in 3D printing of VET centres

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: ICT – new technologies – digital competences; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

3D printing is playing a very important role in the new industrial revolution “Industry 4.0 or connected industry”, and its presence is increasing every day in more sectors such as industry and education. Therefore, equipping teachers and students with knowledge about the use and benefits of this technology is very important to prepare them for the near future.

The main objective of this project is to train teachers non-computer design (CAD) skilled in VET centres, with the aim of using 3D printing across almost of all the subjects. The use of this technology in VET schools will improve educational transversal skills of the students. Furthermore, it aims to enhance the concentration of students with Attention Deficit Disorder. At mid-term, it will feed an industry that is in high growth with future professionals, students natives of this fascinating technology.

Our project team is composed by 6 partners from 4 countries composed by organizations with different profiles: 3D printing experts close to the academic and business sector, an international network of VET centres, one expert authority in training teachers and one web developer.

To achieve the goals of the project, the consortium worked on the following intellectual outputs:

IO1: Methodology for defining 3D printing exercises suitable for transversal education.
IO2: Set of 3D printing exercises for VET-school lessons in different subjects improving skills of students.
IO3: Networking community tool for teachers using 3D printing that will contain the set of exercises.
IO4: Report and tools for immersion of 3D printing in European education and training
IO5: Set of webinars about the use of 3D printing in VET.
In addition, four multiplier events were held in Germany, Spain, Italy and Slovenia.

The results provide the user with the opportunity to start from scratch by training in 3D printing with the guides developed in the first Intellectual Output, as well as being able to create exercises themselves to be used in the classroom with the help of the methodology developed.
There are 34 exercises available on the E3D+VET platform, consisting of 60 ready-to-use 3D models. The platform is not a simple repository of 3D models. For each of the exercises, in addition to the technical-graphical description and the STL files, there is a description of how to use these designs in a class and the benefits that the student can obtain. The E3D+VET platform also has a list of suppliers (fablabs, 3D printing service companies…) so that users who do not have sufficient resources, such as knowledge of 3D design or 3D printers, can take advantage of their ideas. Also noteworthy is the gamification of the platform, which provides the user with motivation and interest both in sharing their exercises and in using those available on the platform, as well as creating their own list of favourite models and exercises, thus giving them more visibility. The mobile application provides versatility and dynamism since the exercises and models can be accessed through a single click on the mobile. All the information on the platform can be accessed through it, making it possible to access the results at any time and in any place.

All E3D+VET results are translated into 5 languages and available for use:

• 3D Printing technical guide.
• Methodology for defining 3D printing exercises suitable for transversal education.
• Reports and tools (training materials and videos) for immersion of 3D printing in European education and training.
Download link: https://www.e3dplusvet.eu/#publications

• Set of 3 webinars about the use of 3D printing in VET.
Videos available here: https://www.e3dplusvet.eu/news/

• Set of 34 3D printing exercises for VET-school lessons in different subjects improving skills of students.
• Networking community tool for teachers using 3D printing that contain the set of exercises and a guide on how to use the platform.
Web Platform: https://app.e3dplusvet.eu/exercises/
App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pristalica.e3dplusvet

During the development of the E3D+VET project, the consortium has worked with more than 50 teachers and more than 190 students from different places in Europe. In addition to expert companies in 3D printing such as Stratasys and Flam3D. At the end of the project the exercises developed by the consortium already had more than 12,000 downloads.

The results of the project have already been integrated into the course curriculum of the Seminar für Ausbildung und Fortbildung der Lehrkräfte Karlsruhe (Berufliche Schulen), in which from now on and annually a course “3D printing for non-technicians” will be given to teachers interested in 3D printing. Using our platform as well as exercises and contents in this annual course, teachers will be encouraged to continue feeding the platform with their ideas, providing continuity and sustainability to the project.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 365243 Eur

Project Coordinator

KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FUER TECHNOLOGIE & Country: DE

Project Partners

• STYRIAN TECHNOLOGY PARK (Stajerski Tehnoloski Park d.o.o.)
• Seminar für Ausbildung und Fortbildung der Lehrkräfte Karlsruhe (Berufliche Schulen)
• CENTRO INTERNAZIONALE PER LA PROMOZIONE DELL’EDUCAZIONE E LO SVILUPPO ASSOCIAZIONE
• PRISTALICA, SOCIEDAD LIMITADA
• ASOCIACION EMPRESARIAL DE INVESTIGACION CENTRO TECNOLOGICO DEL MUEBLE Y LA MADERA DE LA REGION DE MURCIA