[3D Printing Applications] Five Creative Proposals from Atlantic University Students!

[3D Printing Applications] Five Creative Proposals from Atlantic University Students!

A social mission focused on technology
Atlantic University is a non-profit higher education institution that continuously cultivates outstanding students for the ever-evolving field of technology. Renowned for its exceptional game and programming talent, approximately 75% of game engineers in Puerto Rico are Atlantic University alumni. With a focus on the future of business technology, one of Atlantic University's future plans is to launch the first 3D printing course in Puerto Rico, further inspiring the university's ability to cultivate technology leaders.


Students Zohary Oquendo and Bryan Berdecia created and printed animal- and child-friendly alternatives to the live animals used in dissections. Photo credit: Joshua Montalvo

While Vincent primarily teaches undergraduates and focuses on product prototyping, his courses offer a broader overview of the 3D printing manufacturing field. Students receive training in relevant software, applications, hardware, and a wide range of 3D printing technologies , from desktop printers to industrial machines.
"It's crucial to give students hands-on experience with 3D printers to ensure the lab continues operating and that every project is completed on time," Professor Vincent said. With a strong belief in "learning by doing," Professor Vincent's course also includes a month-long thematic course where students must learn the entire 3D printing process from start to finish. He understands the importance of rapid prototyping in 3D printing and data; students can integrate these methods into their research topics by working directly with the Ultimaker machine.

Professor Vincent has about five years of experience in 3D printing and uses 3D printers almost daily. When he proposed setting up a lab at the university, they were open-minded and understood the value these processes could bring to eager students. Ultimaker 's quality, image, and user-friendly, simple operation were the reasons he prioritized recommending it to the university. "Ease of maintenance, ease of use, and reliability are very important. If you're experienced in this industry, you'll even understand that these are Ultimaker's key advantages."

"With the development of related industries over the past few years, having reliable and consistent 3D printers has become increasingly important for educators," he said. "This is invaluable for the long-term development of the 3D printing industry, passionate students, and rapid prototyping ."


Smart cutlery designed by student Steven Arroyo is suitable for people with movement disorders or difficulties. Photo credit: Joshua Montalvo

To accommodate diverse themes, Professor Vincent purchased two Ultimaker printers, including the Ultimaker 2+ , for greater flexibility. He hopes to expand this line of 3D printers in the future, such as the Ultimaker S5 , to take advantage of the dual printheads and allow students to use them for month-long projects. Since the Ultimaker 2+ is primarily used for organic form and character-related designs at Atlantic University, students have found the printer easy to handle supports and large prototypes. While they primarily print with PLA and ABS , they also use PET and other flexible materials; he is excited about acquiring the more advanced Ultimaker , which allows them to use PVA supports and experiment with diverse new materials for busy classes. The university's demanding environment means the printers operate 4-5 days a week, sometimes delivering results overnight.


The booth, designed by student Jeremy Muñiz, can simultaneously display a Samsung S6 Edge phone and a wireless charger. Photo credit: Joshua Montalvo

Saves time and money
Best of all, they can completely trust the 3D printers without having to check them frequently, allowing them to focus more on other parts of the project. Cost and time savings are among their biggest benefits to date, with faster printing times accelerating the completion of classroom topics; through Ultimaker's software and hardware integration and continuously improving quality, these advantages provide students with unparalleled possibilities for rapid prototyping from concept to finished product.


Student Ramphis Rios created textured Rubik's Cubes that visually impaired people can also enjoy playing with. Photo credit: Joshua Montalvo

Other faculty and students at Atlantic University are also eager to use the Ultimaker printer , especially those in the graphic design and animation departments. In addition to students integrating 3D printing into classroom projects and entrepreneurial initiatives, community members can also experience the university-sponsored machine.
Through this project, Vincent has already seen inspiring results: a student designed a durable and sturdy hand part with a superior grip specifically for a neighbor suffering from arthritis. She not only learned a great deal about 3D printing through the design and printing process, but also gained valuable experience outside the classroom—the most precious value of hands-on work.

"I believe that 3D printing allows students to put their career plans into practice, especially if they work in teams." Teamwork and communication give students the opportunity to improve prototypes through testing. "3D printing helps them trust each other and understand that successful ideas may require some experimentation. It's a continuous learning process, and hopefully they can extend it to both personal and industry levels." He hopes that as 3D printers evolve rapidly, he will be able to reach more students and see more of their work.


A wheelchair combined with a mobile phone grip, designed by student Gustavo Agosto. Photo credit: Joshua Montalvo

"The core of pre-printing is 3D modeling; 95% of proposals depend on 3D modeling skills. In addition to using Ultimaker Cura , they can also use software such as Maya, Rhino, Fusion 360, ZBrush, and Meshmixer. These tools are essential for the 3D printing process because students must be able to turn their ideas into practice," Professor Vincent emphasized.

Looking to the future of 3D printing , Vincent understands that the biggest challenge for educators is how to solve problems. He hopes the education sector can further develop 3D printing curricula so that other schools can also enjoy the benefits of digital creation. We are also happy to share information related to new technologies, hoping that these technologies can drive progress in the world.