3D Printing: The tool that democratizes STEM education

In a classroom at the Universidad del Valle (Univalle), a professor and his students assembled a robotic gripping arm and conveyor belt made of plastic blocks - but this is not child's play, but a didactic and inexpensive way to train the next generation of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) professionals.

Global robotics market revenue is expected to reach US$34.94 billion by 2023, according to statistics from Statista and Colombia risks losing its share of this market because of an engineering skills gap. 

Lewin López, professor of the Industrial Electronics Technology and Electromechanical Systems Maintenance Technology programs at the regional campus of Univalle in Yumbo, developed a research project that uses a 3D printer to build modular mechano-electronic platforms with the use of freely licensed technological tools; in collaboration with the Research Group on Innovation and Development in Applied Electronics. (Giidea).

The 3D printing revolution is making it possible for students to achieve mechatronics engineering skills that are crucial for the 21st century. Fifteen years ago, technologies for manufacturing plastic parts were expensive, but through rapid prototyping of models, researchers can produce kits at low cost, in a shorter timeframe.

 "With a commercial solution with similar characteristics, we are talking about around 500-600 USD (more than two million Colombian pesos), but in our project the price is about a fifth of this, thanks to simple sensors, open source solutions and access to a 3D printer with inexpensive filament," Prof. Lopez said.

Lewin López, professor of the Industrial Electronics Technology and Electromechanical Systems Maintenance Technology programs at Univalle's regional headquarters in Yumbo. Credit: Alexander Bejarano.

The Research

According to Professor Lopez, the use of 3D printing provides students with a tool at their fingertips, they learn in a practical way and develop their design and programming skills.

In the scientific paper “Mechatronic conveyor belt system using 3D printing for emulation of industrial processes,” professor Lopez shared the method of making the conveyor belt. 

 "3D printing is not as easy as printing on a sheet of paper, it takes 8 to 16 hours of training to understand the setup and configuration of the machine," Profesor Lopez said; adding that it can take about 80 hours to print all the components of the developed conveyor belt.

 The researchers have a Web page (https://univallesedeyumbo.com/investigacion/rele-y/) to openly publish the code, designs and guides developed with all the information to facilitate learning worldwide. 

 "We want this project to be able to show students leaving school that higher education can be related to what they learned in school in a way that will later be deepened... and that parents can see that this is a good option for their children to study in the city of Yumbo," said Professor López.

 

Video: DiiDEA Group Project Credit: Communications Team Univalle Yumbo

Professor Edward Jhohan Marín García, Univalle professor at the Cartago campus and Director of the GiiDEA explained that developments in 3D printing are gaining strength in research and development applications, since their applicability is given in a large number of projects. 

 "Taking into account the development made by Professor López, 3D printing has helped us to enhance some equipment and applications in the laboratories," explained Professor Marín and added that with the conveyor belt made in 3D printing, some sensors and actuators, teachers can develop practices in courses such as engineering workshop, technological workshop and electronic instrumentation, among others.

Read more from the School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering: Autonomous Greenhouses Can Be Run Remotely, Thanks to Regional Researchers

Photo: Univalle's regional headquarters in Yumbo, Colombia. Credit: Univalle

Univalle's Yumbo Campus

The Universidad del Valle began its presence in the municipality of Yumbo in 1994; in 1995 the Yumbo campus made its first academic offerings and in 2010 the extension of the Information Systems Technology and Electronics Technology programs was made official at the campus.

 Adriana Valencia Espinosa, director of Univalle's Yumbo regional campus explained that the teaching staff have a high degree of training in engineering and robotics.

"Our proposal focuses on STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), whose purpose is to contribute to the integration of robotics articulating with the development purposes of the municipality, closely linked to the mission axis of the campus," Professor Valencia said, adding that integration projects are also advancing, as well as contributions to the development of the municipality of Yumbo declared by the Ministry of National Education as a STEM+ municipality.

Luisa Fernanda Yanten, a graduate of Univalle in electromechanical systems maintenance technology; and a research monitor at GIIDEA, said that research groups are created at each of the sites, where each program provides additional knowledge to what their basic training offers, which is important for a student who wants to graduate and go out to work, which is something that often happens in these communities.

"My main interest was to expand my knowledge on the topics of 3D printing and how to be able to use it to create instruments or educational tools that would be available to anyone who needed it or wanted to learn more," Yanten said, adding that it was rewarding to see how each piece fulfilled its function and learned from the printing process, among other technical things for designing parts.

If you wish to contact the researcher or learn more about the project, please write to the Communication Office of the School of Engineering: comunicaingenieria(at)correounivalle.edu.co.

Cover photo: Professor Lewin Lopez and students in Yumbo, Colombia. Credit: Univalle Yumbo communications team.