Vocational training has been the ideal place to nurture technical experts in the mechanical engineering fields. As one of the national elite vocational schools, Shunde PolytechnicInstitute (SDPI) strives to develop students’professional skills to prepare them for the ever-changing market dynamics and continuously advancing technology. SDPI’s School of Mechanical and electrical engineering strongly believes in putting theories into practice. The school leverages innovative teaching solutions to spark the interests of students and help them consolidate knowledge in mechanical designs, engineering, and electronics. This was why, when management implemented curriculum reform, the school considered adopting a 3D printing system.
Beyond the benefits of teaching and learning, the 3D printers have bridged business collaborations between the institute and local enterprises. SDPI has helped several companies produce 3D printed prototypes for design validation, including a rearview mirror prototype for a local automotive manufacturer. SDPI also used 3D printers to create different models, including circuit board covers, packaging containers, small tools, and creative crafts.
Compared to the traditional model-making methods that required two to three days’ production time, it took only six to seven hours to 3D print the same model for tests, helping companies accelerate product development cycle and focus R&D capabilities. With growing awareness and the government’s strong emphasis on smart manufacturing and grassroots innovation in China over the past few years, Xu believes that adoption of 3D printing has become the inevitable trend to maximize manufacturing capabilities and optimize operation workflow.
“3D printing is already changing our lives gradually behind the scenes and moving up onto the stage,” said Xu. “Putting the next generation of engineers in touch with the innovative technology in their early years will benefit students in their future endeavors as well as the companies or industries that they opt for once they leave school."
Following rounds of research and comparison between various 3D printing technologies and systems, SDPI installed two Stratasys FDM 3D Printers to meet its teaching needs and growing demand for business services. Since installing the 3D printers, SDPI has started specialized modules in model designs and professional manufacturing to focus on 3D printing applications in different fields of engineering studies, such as theory, robotics structure, and computer-aided manufacturing. These modules provide students hands-on experience operating 3D printers, while the models help them better understand abstract ideas.
Under professional guidance, SDPI students can quickly transform ideas into physical models and carryout design tests. For example, a group of mechanical engineering students were asked to design their own engineering components for a robotics project. Using the 3D printers, the students performed assembly, snap-fit and ergonomic tests. Design errors were easily identified and quickly adjusted and the final design was ready within days instead of weeks.