A few weeks ago I followed up an invite from the House of Science to visit RAM 3D in Tauriko. So here in a new industrial area of Tauranga were some pretty switched on people doing some pretty neat stuff. 3D metal printing is essential using a laser to weld really fast. A thin layer of metal power is laid down then a power laser fuses those metal particles together to build a shape.
The Chief Executive, Warwick Downing, hosted the visit and made a number of interesting points in relation to the type of employee a business like his is looking for (and therefore the type of student we should be trying to produce):
- Every one needs to know CAD
- Attitude trumps everything
- Attention to detail
- Problem solver – “If I do this – what are the consequences?”
- Importance of material science as well as chemistry & physics (although he pointed out that high level qualifications are not essential)
This field of 3D Rapid Additive Manufacturing has huge potential and we can do it right here in NZ, just see the example set by Rocket Lab. There is even the ability of bio 3D printing (and some boffin even managed to print a stem cells to create a ‘brain on the bench‘)! So the challenge is, how to we engage our students into this type of technology and teach them the skills and dispositions these type of agile industries are after?
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- Parts of a 3D printed bike by Bastion Cycles (http://bastion-cycles.com/process/)
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- Bottom bracket showing honey comb
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- Complete bike
