Design and Implementation of 3D Printers for Application in Education

Three dimensional (3D) printing is a process of making three dimensional physical objects from a digital design using additive technologies. Low-budget 3D printers have become popular in manufacturing of various models and enabled a wider population to produce a variety of items at lower cost of production and maintenance. This paper presents a process of designing and manufacturing a low-budget 3D printer through teaching activities that are carried out at the University Department of Professional Studies. Main teaching outcomes of the project are experience in practical and team work and use of open source technologies and modern software tools. In addition, 3D printing technology can be used in education to create a variety of 3D models that are used in designing different student projects and thus contribute to the further development of student creativity.