Foreword
The story I am posting today I wrote a few weeks ago. Had no specific time frame for it, so I held onto it. Then, in today's local daily I saw an article about NASA preparing to launch a 3D printer into space next year which would serve as a flying factory of infinite designs, creating objects by extruding layer upon layer of plastic from long strands coiled around large spools. Spaceship parts and rocket pieces will be made while on the go in a galaxy far, far away. Knew it was time to let you read my story, which by the way has absolutely nothing to do with spaceships.It was an ordinary day. Just got home from the high school where I work part-time. Was talking to Mike, my summer partner in the print shop, and he told me he heard that the school district has a 3-D printer. Was wondering where it might be in the district. The next time I had a need to travel to the district office, I inquired and found out they had no idea where it might be. Then checked with the Tech-Media department who are right down the hall from the print shop in the high school. "We have one of those here?" said Randy, one of the technicians. After a few weeks I gave up hope of ever finding the printer and figured there was no such animal in the school district. That was until a few days ago when I happened to take my wife on a date to the Mt. Gretna "Jigger Shop" for lunch. Sat down next to a young couple and the fellow was wearing a shirt that said Manheim Township Football across the front. "You go to township?" I asked the boy. "Yeah, I'm on the team," he replied. I told him I used to teach Industrial Arts there and still do some printing for them during the year. He told me he enjoyed his tech-ed classes he has had and that he is taking a course with Mr. Nolt this year. "I want to learn how to use the 3-D printer," he said. Wow! BINGO!! Carol could see the excitement I had on my face as I asked a few more questions of our neighbor.
The 3D Printer |
The door to the 3-D printer is open. |
This shows the strand of plastic-like material that will be fed to make the item that you have programmed into the printer. |
Final results. On the top car you can see the layers that are produced in the printer. They will need to be sanded to remove the ridges. Click on the photo to enlarge. |
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