Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers
Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers
(With Lasers and “Cake”)
Back in 2018, Chantelle, one of our stellar former engineers, snagged her mechanical engineering technology degree from Portland Community College.
She didn't just grab her diploma and run. Instead, she spent two years chairing the college's advisory committee to help shape the future of the civil and mechanical engineering program. To show Portland engineering students what a real-world manufacturing facility actually looks like, civil engineering instructor Peter Kazarinoff brought a fresh batch of aspiring engineers to our shop for a manufacturing field trip. We gave them the grand tour and a 3D printing education to show exactly what a day in the life of an SLS 3D printing service entails.
From Classroom Theory to 3D Printed Reality
Chantelle kicked things off in the conference room. She walked the students through the fundamental differences between various rapid prototyping techniques. It is one thing to read about these manufacturing methods in a textbook. It is entirely another to hold the actual parts in your hands. We showed off a variety of design examples to prove a simple point. From early prototypes to highly complex geometries, if you can dream it up, our custom 3D printing services can probably manufacture it.
Getting Our Hands Dirty with SLS “Cake”
Next up was the production floor. This is where the real magic happens. We introduced the students to what we affectionately call the “cake.” For the uninitiated, this is the dense block of unfused nylon powder that surrounds newly printed parts inside the build chamber. Chantelle broke down the selective laser sintering process step by step. She also explained the rigorous quality checks we perform to guarantee parts are ready for end-use applications. Yes, that includes trying to break things on purpose to test tensile strength. It is all in the name of science.
Adding the Final Polish in the Finishing Department
Raw prints are great, but sometimes they need a little extra love. We guided the group into our secondary operations department to see how parts transform before shipping. Our team can tumble, paint, plate, or dye components to meet exact specifications. We also tackle hardware installation. While you can certainly 3D print built-in threads, plastic threads wear out fast. We always recommend using threaded metal inserts for a durable connection that survives multiple uses. The students got a firsthand look at how these finishing processes elevate a simple prototype into a professional product.
Shipping Out and Looking Forward
We wrapped up the 2018 field trip in the shipping department. Our shipping guru, Bud, graciously allowed us into his domain to see where finished projects get prepped for their final destinations. Custom 3D printed parts can sometimes be delicate before final assembly. We take the utmost care packing every box to ensure everything arrives flawlessly.
Seeing the next generation get so excited about manufacturing technology absolutely makes our day. We love showing off the sheer power of SLS 3D printing and rapid prototyping techniques. If you know a future engineer looking to explore this career path, send them our way. If you have a project of your own ready for production, do not hesitate to reach out. Request a quote and upload your files today to get started!