Utilizing the 3D printing machines and technology would greatly impact and benefit the Robotics Minor at James Madison University.This may be the most applicable class you could take in a robotic minor, being able to integrate all the objectives of the minor with hands on experience by building the robot yourself. For example, students will have a greater understanding of robot control systems, sensors, motion, circuits, and the overall design of the robots, while being able to design and develop every part of the robot control software. They will be able to take what they learned in the classroom and apply it to real-life application.
In addition, using 3D printing allows the students to be creative and develop further investigation and exploration of robotic systems. 3D printing has the potential to create new robotic technology by combining the digital modeling with the physical manifestation.
In fact, other universities are already implementing this sort of technology into their curriculums. The Southern California Institute of Architecture has developed classes on how to create complex robotic designs and movements through 3D printing. Students are using their machines to make robotic arms that are based on a molecular structure. They are able to create a large number of similar pieces for the robot and bond them together, making the structure synthetic and custom-made.
Also, they are using the 3D printing machines for further application and experimentation with robotic fabrication, which make the system more inventive as they continue to use it.
The following is a list classes that are included in the Robotic Minor curriculum, and ideas on how to implement 3D printing within each class.
GSCI 104: Physics, Chemistry, and the Human Experience:
One of the required basic preparation classes for Robotics Minor is GSCI 104. In fact, this class is already established at JMU and is the only class that currently offers 3D printing training. This class would be a perfect beginner class for robotic systems and could even be expected of students to take for the minor. In this class, we learn the basic principles of 3D printing, using computer design and the printing machinery itself. In addition, we are trained in the skills, safety, and mastery of the equipment. In fact, there are already blueprints for 3D printing that is available and can be utilized in this beginner class. Overall, this would be a great way to introduce students to the machinery of 3D printing.
CS 354 Introduction to Autonomous robotics:
This course is one of the staple classes for a student pursuing a minor in robotics at JMU. This class teaches students fundamentals of autonomous robots and the basic tools of how to develop and control these types of robots. Autonomous robots of course are robots that can perform with a high degree of autonomy or freedom, performing tasks such as space exploration, mowing lawns, or waste water treatment. Its hard to think of ways that 3D printing technology cannot benefit this program in the sense that this class essentially teaches students how to control robots such as a 3D printer.
One way that this class can be benefitted by the availability of a 3D printer to the students and professors is that this technology allows them to create parts for robots that they may need or may not have access to otherwise. Individuals could build unique parts that they cannot maybe get anywhere else or build extra parts incase something may break. This technology proves to expand the possibilities of what sorts of robots these students can make. Along these lines this 3D printers would benefit the professors in allowing them to develop teaching tools and other robots that teach students certain tools that benefit their learning. If the students have access to more resources then they’ll be able to learn more about the possibilities this field has to offer.
Another aspect of how this technology could benefit this course is a method that is actually being researched by a computer science student currently at JMU. This aspect is learning how to program and control the nozzle head of the 3D printer. By having hands on access to 3D printers student could learn basic ways to program different kinds of autonomous robots. For example the professor could maybe have the student first learn how to program that 3D printer before they would be allowed to use it and such.
PHYS 386 Robots: Structure and Theory:
This is one of the core classes that are required for a robotics minor at JMU. It includes topics such as robot structure, motion, sensors, propulsion systems, and sensor integration. 3D printing would be a perfect way to give the students hands-on experience by designing, building, and testing the robotic parts themselves. In fact, by designing your own robot, you can learn how to cater the prototype to any design that you want. A group of French researchers has found that 3D printing allows you to make human-based robots that are biologically inspired. With 3D printing, you can fabricate the robot’s structure in order to operate like a human. For example, 3D printing allows you to make toes that bend, a spine with 5 motors, and upper legs that can bend inward. These new advancements allow students to learn how to make a biologically inspired, humanoid robot, which would greatly add to the content of this class.
PHYS 372: Microcontrollers and their Applications:
The microcontrollers class offered by the physics department shows students how to make use of microcontrollers (circuit boards) and how to connect nodes and operators that control them. The aspect of this course that can be benefited from 3D printers is a little different than other applications of 3D printing. As if the possibilities of these printers couldn’t be more endless, a research team has been developing a printer that uses fine metals and silicon to actually print out custom circuit boards for use.
Conductive 3D Filament video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIKztL0X638
The advancement of this technology is not only quicker in manufacturing circuit boards, but also produces almost no waste allowing for more reusability of resources than other methods. The ability to design and build custom circuit boards for students and teaching purposes allows for more depth and customizability for this course. Professors would be able to create unique examples for use in class and teach students how to use different kinds of circuit boards that might otherwise be too costly or unavailable. The implementation of this technology not only benefits the course but allows the students to have access to almost endless information.
As if implementing 3D printing capabilities into the robotics minor at JMU didn’t sound perfect enough, these examples shown above really show how beneficial it could be to this minor. From hands on experience designing and building custom robots, programming custom built robots to maneuver in a realistic manor, to developing and printing custom circuitry this technology poses only benefits to the minor. Allowing students and even professors the ability to customize their learning and bringing even more creativity into such an expansive curriculum allows students to learn more advanced skills and techniques that expand and benefit their learning. It’s surprising that this incredible technology isn’t already apart of robotics courses world wide already!
Recent Comments