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Jan.20, 2012

Stratasys uPrint SE 3D printer is selected by the Department of Defense (DoD) as classroom technology in its nationwide program "STARBASE youth program". According to a new release from Stratasys Inc., DoD has placed a $1 million order for more than 100 Stratasys 3D printers aiming to raise interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers for at-risk youth.

Stratasys says one-half of the 3D printers have shipped to DoD STARBASE, and it expects the remainder to ship before the end of February.

The uPrint SE and SE Plus 3D printers are the replacement of the original uPrint and uPrint Plus and has been packaged with price starting at USD $15,900.

Why the uPrint SE 3D Printer is chosen for the STARBASE youth program? First of all, the uPrint SE 3D Printer is designed for office use which requires only a 25-by-26-inch space but has all the basic features of 3D printer. It is very easy to use and can precisely deposit layers as fine as 0.010" (0.254mm) thick.

Secondly, the uPrint SE 3D Printer is the ninth generation of Stratasys 3D Printers, it uses patented Stratasys FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) technology to print 3D model and its support material. Material spools contain 42 cubic inches of material and allows longer print runs and requires less frequent spool change.

Additionally, the uPrint SE 3D Printer has a waveWash Support Cleaning System that helps you very quickly remove support material hands-free. The uPrint SE 3D Printer series uses Soluble Support Technology (SST) so that the support material dissolves away in a water-based solution.

All these make a perfect combination for an good investment in STEM education.

Here is more from the press release:

The Stratasys announcement comes less than two weeks after the Commerce Department issued a report calling for investment in STEM education. The report says investment in STEM is needed to help the U.S. regain its lead in innovation, which will help fuel economic growth.

"Increasingly, the specific skills embodied in STEM education fuel the innovative processes that are especially valuable to our economy," the report says.

"Engineering is a vital part of our nation's hopeful future," says DoD STARBASE RAC and Co-Founder Barbara Koscak. "We need to instill the concept of engineering early in a child's education."

Through the program, students in grades four through six participate in hands-on activities that emphasize teamwork to explore various STEM-based theories. For example, using PTC Creo computer-aided design software, students design model submarine, land rover, UAV, scalextric car and rocket components and use 3D printers to produce them for functional testing.

"3D printing, also called rapid prototyping, has become a key component of many science and technology curricula across schools nationwide," says Stratasys Education Manager Jesse Roitenberg. "Students apply the knowledge they learn in the classroom to real-life models. When they can actually see, hold and touch the results of their work, it's a very powerful lesson. Looking at the STARBASE curriculum, they're light years ahead."

In November 2011 we reported "Shanghai Government Technology committee in China has issued a call for a proposal to build 100 community hackerspaces with government funding for equipment" - we are wondering which type of 3D printer they are going to choose? Anyway it is great that government in many countries are aware of how important innovation and engineering are for the country's economic growth and willing to support.

Source: Stratasys

Posted in 3D Printer

 

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