[3D Printing News] Cabrillo Maker Lab Revives Art with 3D Printing

[3D Printing News] Cabrillo Maker Lab Revives Art with 3D Printing

After acquiring Ultimaker 2 in 2014, Payson McNett's Cabrillo University Maker Lab is on the road to success.
Fab Lab benefits faculty, students, and community members, providing a whole new opportunity for designers and entrepreneurs.

Bridging the gap between art and science

For Payson McNett, an adjunct professor who joined Cabrillo University in 2014, reversing an eight-year decline in art department enrollment was the top priority. Cabrillo graduates know that revitalizing the arts department means maintaining the school’s reputation as a leader in arts education, a crucial factor for success.

The Ultimaker 2 printer at the Cabrillo University Maker Lab

Payson believes that despite a successful program, these art courses still lack the necessary content to challenge students from diverse backgrounds and with more experience.
His envisioned transformation requires not only donations to establish a completely new design space, but also the creation of courses to support newer technologies, such as...
Ultimaker for 3D printing.

"I have students from different industries, from retired Silicon Valley computer engineers to high school graduates."
Today, four Ultimaker 2 printers at the Cabrillo Maker Lab are humming and running, used by more than 50 people.
Students, teachers, and community members kept the space busy, and Payson often brought his Ultimaker 2 home to alleviate production bottlenecks during the busy school year.


A student's project, Ultimaker, currently in operation.

Students from all walks of life love Fab Lab, whether they are interested in engineering, nursing, digital media, or have not yet decided which career to choose.
Payson believes that integrating 3D printing into his curriculum helps bridge the gap between art and science and can create interdisciplinary collaborations through student societies and local organizations.
He found that it was also very beneficial to effectively demonstrate the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset through product development and self-management labs.

The best "time machine" solution

McNett embarked on the path to Ultimaker after careful consideration. When he began building his Fab Lab, he spent several years extensively researching 3D printers and their assembly. When he discovered Cura in Ultimaker, he was impressed by the machine's ease of use and consistency. He found other 3D printers far too complex; "the printing process before using Ultimaker was slow, complicated, and full of unnecessary obstacles."
The Cabrillo School of Art accepted his proposal and decided to incorporate it into their future curriculum, as other administrators and professors understood the immense value of 3D printing technology.
Payson decided to use the Ultimaker 2 and pack up the rest of the 3D printers, without looking back.
Since upgrading to a 3D printer, the art department has been enjoying the benefits of 3D printing.
They not only understand complex concepts, but Payson has also made significant progress in managing plans.
The Ultimaker 3D printer on campus has even earned the nickname "time machine," highlighting how it saves Fab Lab customers time and effort.


Cabrillo Lab's student art project

In order to have better community collaboration plans

Cabrillo Fab Lab launched its digital production courses in the fall of 2016, and the program shows no signs of slowing down. Colleges and universities across the country are incorporating similar technologies into their curricula, and Payson sees this as a significant opportunity to share the knowledge of creating these 3D printing courses within schools.

Designs created by students using 3D printed objects

Art students at the Fab lab are also working closely with the engineering department on a prosthetics project. By designing and manufacturing prosthetics for children and veterans, Cabrillo hopes the project will benefit the community while teaching students valuable lessons about entrepreneurship.

As the Cabrillo Fab Lab continues to generate interest on campus and in the community, Payson says it’s necessary to expand the Ultimaker printer and offer additional courses and workshops.
With students anticipating future possibilities, the Cabrillo Fab Lab is sure to have many more exciting plans in store.


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Original source: https://ultimaker.com/en/stories/50256-reviving-the-arts-through-3d-printing-at-the-cabrillo-fab-lab