Year 13 students from The Crossley Heath School, Halifax, recently visited the 3M BIC to explore our 3D printing technology, gaining hands-on experience with advanced manufacturing processes.
The visit was arranged following a conversation with Duncan Pritchard, Subject Leader of Design & Technology, from The Crossley Heath School, at the National Manufacturing Day event at the West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services in Brighouse in November 24. The school’s current 3D printing setup is limited, with only a small, outdated printer and Duncan was keen for his students to see the latest technologies and materials in action.
During the visit, the students were given a tour of Innovation Avenue and the 3D Printing Hub, where they had the opportunity to see a variety of cutting-edge 3D printing and scanning technologies. Our technician, Steve, provided an in-depth overview of the different printers, materials and processes used in industry today, while our product designer, Anastasis, discussed different types and capabilities of 3D scanning related to Computer Aided Design (CAD).
The students were highly engaged, asking insightful questions about how the machines work, different material properties, design software and the accuracy of various printing methods. They were also able to handle a range of 3D printed samples and experience first-hand the versatility of additive manufacturing.
Each student took home a 3D-printed stainless steel keyring. One student also received extra support for his coursework, as we printed his design on one of our new Bambu printers, helping him bring his project to life.
