New 3-D printers for Durham College

Ask a student in Durham College’s electronics engineering technology or mechanical engineering technology programs to print something off, and they might hand you something more than a piece of paper.

That’s because the college has recently acquired six new rapid prototype 3D printers to help create mechanical structures.

“3D printers are commonly used in both the electrical and mechanical fields,” states Chris Daniel, a professor in the college’s School of Science and Engineering Technology, in a news release.

“These printers allow students to inexpensively create custom computer-aided designs (CAD), which help them build the skills their future industry demands and allows them to explore their creative side; the student’s imagination is the limit.”

Three of the printers will go to the electronics engineering technology program, which will allow students to use designs to create enclosures and supply boxes for their circuit board creations.

The other three for the mechanical engineering program will be able to create engine components.

“The beauty of this technology is that students can quickly and inexpensively create their structural designs without the time, safety or expertise constraints associated with using a traditional machine shop,” Daniel states.