During film photography class, the gear in the print dyer broke. The discontinued model would not have been able to be repaired if 3D printing had not popped on the scene at Bluffton University. Digitally replicating and printed a polycarbonate gear ended up fixing the machine.
Professor Andi Baumgartner works with the new 3D printer in the Art Department. Photo by Claire Clay.
Assistant Professor of Art Andreas Baumgartner has taken the initiative in teaching “3D Modeling and Printing” this semester. This is the first time the class has been offered and depending on how the class runs, it will be added as a regular course. In preparation for the class, Baumgartner bought a few printers and refurnished a section of the Art Building so there could be a small studio space for 3D design.
Michael Short, explained how he took the class in order to challenge himself.
“I wanted to learn how to take an idea and transform it into a model,” Short said. “Andi’s class even takes it a step further with 3D printing the model. I enjoy drawing simple, geometric shapes and ending up with something so beautifully complicated.”
Baumgartner’s first exposure with 3D design and printing came as a result of his interest in building and flying drones. After buying his own printer and through the process of designing his own drone frames and parts, he realized this is something students could apply to their design work. There are a variety of applications that 3D design can be used for, he said, such as product and industrial design, packaging and prototyping.
While the class does not relate directly to graphic design, in a quickly changing world, it is important to learn about 3D design, Baumgartner said. He described about how working on a 2D plane in graphic design is different from modeling in 3D space, but that it is important for students to translate their ideas back and forth between graphic design and some of these other areas of design.
Acquiring these new tools increases students’ skill sets and in turn makes them more marketable explains Baumgartner. Amanda Diller, a graphic design student, said 3D modeling experience is important as she considers careers in animation as well as designing props for films.
But the class and the equipment are relevant to other fields of study. Caitlin Haab enrolled in the class because it counted toward her information technology major and ended up adding a graphic design minor because she enjoyed the class so much.
“I was intrigued about the concept of 3D modeling going into the semester, but never really knew anything about it,” Haab said. “Since the beginning of the semester, I’ve been able to successfully model several vases, some tools, a box and a phone case. And, I was able to print one of the vases I made and was amazed when I saw the actual process of 3D printing and was shocked when I saw the end result of my vase. Overall, it’s a great class, and I can’t wait to see what else the semester holds.”
As for what the semester holds, Baumgartner said he excited for the class to design birdhouses and then print them out of biodegradable algae. After finishing, the students will be able to place the birdhouses in nature without worrying about harming the environment.
Baumgartner is already focused on future plans of incorporating two new additions to the art program: a glow forage, a laser etching device, and a Shaper Origin, which is a handheld digital device that can make repeatable, extremely accurate wood cuts.
