Curriculum development and delivery on 3D FDM printer design and build for final year UG engineering degree programme (3DPRINT-DnB) Erasmus Project

Project Title

Curriculum development and delivery on 3D FDM printer design and build for final year UG engineering degree programme (3DPRINT-DnB)

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 higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Enterprise, industry and SMEs (incl. entrepreneurship); ICT – new technologies – digital competences

Project Summary

Additive Manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing has transformed innovation in the engineering and manufacturing industry, and the EU has identified AM as one of 6 Key Enabling Technologies (KETs). The European Industrial Policy for KETs aims to increase the exploitation of KETs and to reverse the decline in manufacturing as this will stimulate growth and jobs. The 3DPRINT-DnB (3D Printer Design and Build) project was designed to contribute to the achievement of the “Europe 2020” growth strategy goals. The consortium for the 3-year project that investigated the development of the undergraduate curriculum for this key enabling technology was composed of 6 partners: 4 HEs and 2 SMEs representing 3 partner countries (2 European countries and 1 Associated country). The project was designed to support STEM undergraduates in their career development and to help to create awareness and interest in the aero, auto and food manufacturing sector. To this end, the consortium has created an innovative introductory joint AM curriculum for UG group project work; the curriculum and other learning resources from the project have been made available to stakeholders and the wider 3D Printing Community on the project website (http://www.3dprintproject.org/).

The 3DPRINT project achieved the aim of creating an innovative introductory joint AM curriculum for UG group project work. The piloting of the Group Project Module by the University Partners have helped to enhance the quality and relevance of student’s knowledge and skills in terms of their employability and entrepreneurship, helped to improve the opportunity for students to gain jobs in manufacturing sector; helped to enhance learning through the digital literacy of students in the local schools in the partners countries through the STEM Schools Outreach and the 3D Printing Competition. In addition, the project has also helped to increase the awareness and attractiveness of careers in STEM and Art and Design through the creation of high-quality joint AM curriculum (also improving gender balance in STEM). More importantly, the dissemination of the outputs from the project through a variety of media has helped to increase opportunities for the achievement of relevant and high-quality skills and competencies in STEM which are in high demand in the aero, auto and food manufacturing sectors. In terms of outputs, the 3DPRINT project generated several innovative outputs, including:

(a). Specified and Built 3D Prototype Printer (fully commercialised version was then used University Partners in Turkey for piloting the 3D Printing Group Project curriculum developed by the consortium).

(b). Piloted the 3D Printing Group Project curriculum developed by the consortium at the four University Partners (both SAMK and UoW used the PRUSA 3D Printer Kit for Parts and sub-assemblies).

(c). Developed Online E-Learning Platform for 3D Printing which is available to Schools, Further and Higher Education Institutions and other 3D Printing Practitioners.

(d). Organised 3D Printing Competition for local Schools in the Partner Countries (Finland and Turkey).

And in terms of the results and impact attained, the project consortium was very successful in reaching all the target groups, and successfully disseminated the outputs through the project website (https://www.3dprintproject.org/) and social media platforms such as Instagram (https://www.Instagram.com/3dprint_dnb/), LinkedIn postings and live streaming of online Multiplier Events. In summary, 3DPRINT project delivered the following:

(a). National Reports on 3D Printing Education and Skills Gaps (UK, Turkey and Finland).
(b). Development of E-Learning Platform for a Final Year (& MSc) Level Group Project on the Design, Build and Assembling of 3D Printers.
(c). Curriculum for MSc Degree Course in 3D Printing Technologies.
(d). Training Seminars for Design and Technology Teachers on 3D Printing.
(e). STEM Outreach for Local School (in Partner Countries Finland, Turkey).

In terms of longer term benefits of the project there are a number of ongoing elements, for example:
– the project E-Learning Platform on Instagram, which currently has over 500 followers including people working for technology and mechanical manufacturing companies producing 3D printers and students
– the creation of the 3D Printing Education Network with members from institutions around the world, which highlights the potential sustained global impact of this exciting 3DPRINT-DnB Project
– the project website and e-learning platform, which will continue to be updated by project partners.

Project Website

https://www.3dprintproject.org/

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 252939,3 Eur

Project Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Karabuk University
• Us Mekatronik Makina Otomasyon Ltd
• Bellyfeel Media Limited
• GAZI UNIVERSITESI
• SATAKUNNAN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU OY