Updating the High School Technology Lab
The Technology Department at Lewisburg Area High School offers a wide range of courses designed to provide students with experiences applicable to real-world situations. In these courses, students learn how to use computers and software to program machines to accomplish complex tasks. Over the past twenty years, the Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) equipment and Robotics Station have become outdated to the point that it is becoming increasingly difficult to program the equipment with the newer computer operating systems. More importantly, students are no longer receiving a real-world experience due to the outdated equipment.
In addition to updating the existing equipment within the Technology Lab, the purchase and addition of a 3-D Printer would greatly enhance the Computer Assisted Drafting and Design (CADD) programs. Students enrolled in these courses use the latest drafting software to learn how to design objects. Currently they can only print a two dimensional picture of the object which may not always capture the nuances of the object in all dimensions or any moving pieces within the design. A 3-D printer would allow students to create a working model of the object and use it to visually inspect and make adjustments in the design. This skill would also transfer over to possible Mechanical Engineering problems and applications.
The purchase/replacement of the following items would greatly enhance the high school technology education program.
Robotics Workstation Approximate Cost: $14,000
A Robotic Workstation allows students to write programs that control the movement of a robotic arm to simulate modern manufacturing processes. The Robotics station would allow students to create manufacturing environments that simulate how industry uses materials handling robots on an assembly line. The robot can pick up and place a piece of material into another machine thus allowing the machine to create a part and then the robot would pick up the finished part from the machine, place it onto a conveyor belt and transport it to another station to continue with the manufacturing process.
CNC Router Approximate Cost: $9,000
A Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Router is a machine designed to create 3-D parts using the same concept as a CNC Mill but with added advantages. Students design a part on a CADD program and then convert the drawing into CNC code using software included with the CNC Router. The Route station creates parts out of a wide range of materials from metal to plastics or wood. Different from the 3-D printer, the Router can produce finished products of student’s designs using a variety of materials.
Three Dimensional Printer Approximate Cost: $23,000
Instead of merely showing an object or design on a flat drawing, students can pick up a 3D model and examine it from every angle. 3D printers are ideal for determining form, fit and function in everything from ergonomics to manufacturing processes. Architectural designs can be printed to create a scale model of the overall 3D architectural plan.
A 3D printer helps students visualize ideas and designs. It allows students to see how multiple parts fit together to make multi-part devices. The 3D printer requires students to create stereo lithography files which are objects broken down by layers similar to the way a CAT scan machine creates image layers. The printer builds one thin layer at a time, from the bottom up, until the object is created. It is accurate enough to model tiny gears and makes fine details clearly visible.