Written by: Sudyen Navarrete/Staff Writer
New MakerBots 3D printers were installed at the College of Architecture + The Arts Urban Studios to bring computer-made designs made by students and professors to life.
The Urban Studios Innovation Lab was launched on Tuesday, Sept. 29, bringing with it 30 Makerbot 3D Printers for students.
Brian Schriner, dean of CARTA, said that they are the first arts college in the country to work with MakerBot, the 3D printing company.
The significance of the innovation lab that has brought 3D printers to Urban Studios lies around global innovation for future CARTA students, said Schriner.
“This new creative space can prepare students for tomorrow by exploring the arts, design and technology,” said Schriner. “Our students are highly skilled and are fully prepared with the technical and creative skills that are needed to be competitive in the 21st century’s global, creative economy.”
“I believe it’s a great opportunity for architecture students, we sometimes forget that there is a whole technology wave going on,” said graduate architecture student, Sharit Ben-Ahser. “Three years ago, it was harder for students because we had cut cardboards and glued things together.”
With this new innovation, students will struggle less on their designs.
Amanda Guyah, a graduate architecture student that works for Urban Studios, learned to use the 3D printers and constantly checks on them to make sure they’re running properly.
She said it has helped her in her design projects.
“I began using the printers at the main campus, and it’s pretty easy after getting used to them,” said Guyah.
In order for the printers to build a specific design, it must contain plastic — which slowly melts inside the machine.
“It’s called PLA filament,” said Guyah. “The printer reads it and melts it to create a model. We use a 3D software program to design the model and we send it to the printer.”
Through this innovative technology, students have been able to present their models to professors and interested clients.
“Professors invite people from the community, mostly firms, and we present to them our models,” said Guyah. “Most of our projects are based off of real findings or sites, then we have to calculate everything as if it was a real-world situation.”
The clients invited are typically involved with the specific thing that the student is presenting.
”The CARTA innovation lab is a major milestone that establishes FIU as a national destination for innovative teaching, research, entrepreneurism and creativity,” said Schriner.
Jacqueline Thompson, manager of the office at Urban Studios, has been present to see the installation process and training sessions to use the printers.
She is optimistic about the innovation lab coming to the Studio, due to the fact that, before, the 3D printers were only installed at MMC.
“We have 30 Makerbot printers, thanks to the Knight Foundation for giving [us] the grant,” said Thompson. “Jon Stuart saw the vision on what Makerbots can produce and be beneficial to FIU.”
John Stuart is the associate dean for cultural and community engagement and the executive director of Miami Beach Urban Studios.
CARTA’s Urban Studios applied for a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. After receiving the grant, it made it possible to purchase the printers and prepare the innovation lab.
Makerbot employees were present to help train professors on how to use the printers.
According to Thompson, faculty were taught on the basics of the printers, changing filaments and timing process — such as waiting for plastic strings to melt and to change or install another one.
The innovation lab had a positive response and was launched with a grand opening.
After a few days of training, the printers were ready to be used by students and professors in the Studio.
“We are open to all disciplines from FIU, you don’t only have to be from CARTA to come to our innovation lab,” said Thompson.
All students and faculty are welcome to visit Urban Studios and take advantage of the printers and lab equipments.
The regular-sized printers, located in the lab, can print nine-inches by five-inches.
There is one mini-printer available, which prints four-inches high and four-inches wide.
The studio also features a large-sized printer that can print up to 14 inches high — big enough to print a 3D design of a skyscraper.
“With this, we get the advantage of experiencing technology 24/7 by innovating and printing whatever we want,” said Asher. “We’re embracing that new technology and learning how to be creative with it.”
-sudyen.navarrete@fiusm.com
Photos Courtesy of Sudyen Navarrete
About Post Author
