Making at UWSP: 3D Creativity

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“Wow, you must have lines of students waiting to use it!” said someone recently after learning the Library has a 3D printer. While there may not be lines waiting at the 3D printer, that statement does not accurately reflect the activity and creativity that we have seen from students inspired by 3D printing.

Within days of the 3D printer arriving in the summer of 2014, our first student found the printer and presented his problem.  He had purchased an old Brownie camera, but it had a broken film spool. His solution? Use his 3D design skills to create and print his own spool.  Problem solved!

  
Our first student-created, 3D printed piece:
a spool for a Brownie camera.


















Another student took on the daunting task of creating a 3D model of the entire UWSP campus. Working with Facilities Planning and the Disability and Assistive Technology Center, the Interior Architecture student used CAD files to 3D print all campus buildings, sidewalks, and streets. He then labeled everything in Braille, so that the model can be used by people with low vision to help orient themselves on campus. Accessibility improved!

 
3D model of the UWSP campus. The finished product is on display on the 6th floor of the library. Head on up to check it out for yourself.





  
Even students from the UWSP Fly Fishing Club were inspired to use the 3D printer. One student found a file for a fly fishing reel in an open online repository where people share 3D designs.  He downloaded the file and printed it out. Turns out it worked great, and soon the rest of the Fly Fishing Club was printing out their own reels. And each reel cost just $8.00 to print. Money saved!
  
Other students have printed phone cases, Raspberry Pi cases, GoPro accessories, chess set pieces, and a plethora of fun figurines. There is no shortage of ideas when it comes to 3D printing. From the student who is quite adept at using 3D design software to create their own digital 3D models, to the student who simply downloads a file from an online repository. All agree that the experience is easy, engaging, and fun. Several students have excitedly exclaimed, “Now I can say during a job interview, that I have used a 3D printer!” Something learned!



Online repositories, such as Thingiverse.com, are full of 3D files created and shared by others, that are available to download and print.








Interested in using the Library’s 3D printer? Read more about it here: http://www.uwsp.edu/library/Pages/3D-Printing.aspx

The library will also be offering a workshop on 3D model design for beginners on Tuesday, May 3rd at noon. Come learn and get inspired!
http://www.uwsp.edu/library/Pages/workshops.aspx

And while we’re talking about creativity, don’t forget to take advantage of these exciting opportunities available in the Stevens Point community.
·        
    The Scarabocchio Art Museum currently is hosting the exhibit Maker: People,Places, Things which features photographs from Wendy (Schmidt) Hynes world-wide travels and studies of different makerspaces as well as objects she has created herself. The exhibit is open for viewing through April 30th. Read more about it. http://www.cwso.org/events/scarabocchio-art-museum/2016-04/maker-people-places-things-2016-03-11
·         
    The Arts Alliance of Portage County has re-launched as CREATE Portage County with the mission to develop a more vibrant and engaging community through arts & culture advocacy and creative placemaking. Learn more about this exciting initiative. http://www.createportagecounty.org




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