Makers Empire Short Course – Introduction to Prototyping with 3D Design & Printing

Curious about 3D Printing? Wishing you could learn more about 3D technology? Explore the potential of 3D design and printing as a valuable prototyping and additive manufacturing tool with a new introductory, hands-on, two-day course.

Presented by Makers Empire and the Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and Innovation Centre at the University of Adelaide, this course is for people with little or no 3D experience. Learn how to harness 3D technology to develop your own ideas and products.

People who complete this two-day introductory courses can go on to do an Advanced Prototyping Course taught by the University of Adelaide, which will occur two weeks later. Completing the two courses counts as one credit towards an undergraduate course at the University of Adelaide.

Explore the potential of 3D design and printing as a valuable prototyping and additive manufacturing tool with this introductory, hands-on, two-day course. Learn how to harness 3D technology to develop your own ideas and products.

• Dates: October, 2018. Exact dates TBC.m
• Time: 9am to 5pm
• Venue: University of Adelaide, Nexus Building
• Address: Corner Pulteney Street & North Terrace, Adelaide

Participants will also experience taking an idea through the complete design cycle: inquiring and analysis, developing an idea, creating a solution, and evaluating your design. The course will also include a tour of Adelaide University’s 3D printing program.

The cost of the two-day course is $500. This includes access to 3D printers, software and tools. Students under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact us for pricing and to ensure we can accommodate your learning needs. There is a discount available for teachers – please contact us for details.

“All presenters were excellent. It went beyond my expectations. I genuinely enjoyed designing and making 3D designs.”

“Really good, enjoyed different examples of design thinking. Learnt a lot of useful information about 3D printing. Great for a beginner just starting out with 3D printing.”

“A wonderful introduction to 3D printing.”

“High level of expertise and knowledge.”

“All presenters/staff/helpers were very helpful. The quality of presentations and support material was excellent.”

“Content was delivered well. Timeline allowed for ample time to use software and hardware. Presenters were all excellent.”

“Very clear and lots of information for a short course – learnt a lot.”

Day One

Module 1: Introduction

Current and emerging applications of 3D printing:

• Manufacturing
• Design
• Medical
• Engineering
• Education
• Consumers

Identifying personal goals and project ideas

Module 2: 3D Printing

Current and projected 3D printing technology:

• How do 3D printers work?
• Different types of 3D printing hardware available
• 3D printable materials
• Capabilities and limitations of 3D printing
• Future projections

Module 3: 3D Design

3D Design Software:

• Range of design software available
• Terminology and design concepts
• Makers Empire 3D: working with entry level design software

Module 4: First Project Printing

All participants will take home their first 3D printed design:

• Tips for successfully printing projects
• Safe operating procedures
• 3D printers in action

Day Two

Module 5: Planning a Mini Design Project

Participants will create individual ‘mini’ project plans:

• Identifying needs and opportunities
• Visualising and generating ideas
• Planning and developing 3D design solutions
• Evaluating process and products
• Collaboration and project management

Module 6: 3D Design Software Options

More about 3D design software:

• Introduction to Fusion 360
• Tips for selecting 3D design software

Module 7: Project design and printing

Hands-on session:

• Support with 3D design
• Designing and printing a prototype for mini design project

Module 8: 3D Printing at the University of Adelaide

3D printing tour:

• How are 3D printers being used at the University of Adelaide?
• Where are they being used and by whom?
• Current and future use of 3D printers at the university.

For more information see the course brochure. Bookings for this course will open shortly. To go on the waiting list, please email echallenge[at]adelaide.edu.au

The course is presented as a partnership between Makers Empire and the Entrepreneurship Innovation and Commercialisation Centre (ECIC), the University of Adelaide’s entrepreneurship research and teaching centre.

With world-leading programs such as the Australian eChallenge which is an entrepreneurship course run in countries all over the world, along with Thinclab, a leading business incubator, the Entrepreneurship Innovation and Commercialisation Centre (ECIC) both promotes and fosters entrepreneurship in Adelaide and internationally.

Makers Empire 3D software is the cornerstone of Makers Empire’s award-winning paid subscription option for schools, which delivers genuinely transformative learning outcomes.

School subscriptions include 130+ lesson plans aligned to American standards and the Australian curriculum, professional development, training and ongoing support for teachers, an implementation plan, and a Teacher’s Dashboard.

Ready to start your Makers Empire journey? Click on one of the buttons below.

“This has been a wonderful new way to teach and motivate my students… They are beginning to see real-life implications to what they learning to do in class and how they could develop prototypes of objects that they could develop and then produce to sell… At first, I preferred Tinkercad because I knew this software better. However, now that I have had some time to work with Makers Empire it is so much better…The overall enthusiasm towards school and learning has increased tremendously. Students who are typically reluctant learners have come to life,”

Robin McGinnis,Teacher
North Elementary School, USA