VIDEOS: Why We've Added the M3D Micro to Our 3D Printing Toolbox

With our 3D ThinkLink Initiative now in its fourth year, and 3D design and printing technology evolving faster than ever, we're always on the lookout for new tools that are well-suited to our work with at-risk youth. We've been testing the Micro 3D printer made by M3D and are quite pleased with the results. 

Our Director of Instruction, Tom Meeks, is so impressed that he's making a series of video tutorials about the M3D Micro. The key to the successful use of any 3D printer is to understand how it works and what the operator can do to ensure the best performance and reliability. That is what our M3D video series will try to address.

The videos are primarily for our teachers and students in the programs we serve, such as National Guard Youth ChalleNGe, the PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families and AMIkids -- but we're happy to share them with all 3D printing enthusiasts. Here are the first two:

The Micro is a valuable addition to our 3D ThinkLink toolbox for many reasons. First of all, it makes high-quality prints. It's easy to use, reliable, compact and quiet. It can handle more types of material than the 3D Systems Cube printers we use at most of our class sites, including flexible and thermochromic filaments. And, yes, it's quite affordable for such a versatile machine. 

Each 3D printer in our toolbox is chosen to fill a unique role. While the M3D is a bit slow to be used in the classroom when compared to our Cube 2 and Cube 3 machines, it is the perfect "personal printer" to be used by teachers and our Youth Mentor students outside the classroom. It extends our educational work beyond the classroom and into the community.

Better Tools, Better Teaching

Although we haven't deployed Micros at program class sites yet, we have purchased several for our 3D ThinkLink Creativity Lab, where we've introduced our teachers to them. Our expectation is that teachers will enjoy using the Micro so much that they'll greatly increase their own 3D design and printing skills, then use that knowledge to better tailor our 3D ThinkLink curriculum to their students' particular needs. 

Tom Meeks demonstrates the M3D Micro during 3D ThinkLink teacher training

The Micro is also part of the Tech Pack we give our top students when they complete training to be Youth Mentors. Their mission is to use the printers in sharing their 3D skills with people in their communities, acting as role models to promote positive change.

Freestate ChalleNGe Academy grad Aunya' Jones, our first Youth Mentor,
works with her M3D Micro printer

As Tom noted in his Idearoom3D blog, we're eagerly awaiting the release of the bigger, faster M3D Pro, which won't have to be connected to a laptop while printing. Meanwhile, keep an eye on our YouTube channel for more tips about using the M3D Micro.

Exploring New Materials and Printers in the 3D ThinkLink Creativity Lab

One of our favorite parts of summer is having students come to the 3DThinkLinkCreativity Lab. We invite outstanding graduates of our introductory 3D ThinkLink classes to attend advanced training sessions in the lab at our headquarters in Chantilly, Virginia.

NeLazjay Brown and Kelvin Stoddard from Washington, DC’s Capital Guardian YouthChalleNGe Academy and Henry Spiegelblatt from the PHILLIPS School in Annandale, Virginia, spent two days in the lab last week exploring 3D printing methods and materials that go far beyond what they experienced in their schools.

On Wednesday, Director of Instruction Tom Meeks introduced the students to the new M3D printer and the many types of filament it can use. The Cube machines they had in their classrooms print only with hard PLA or ABS plastic, but the M3D can handle flexible filament that feels like soft rubber and comes in many eye-catching translucent colors.

Henry Spiegelblatt, NeLazJay Brown and Kelvin Stoddard test materials

Tom also showed the kids Chameleon filament, which changes color when the temperature rises or falls. They did experiments with hot and cold water to record temperature points that produced color changes for various types of thermochromic filaments.

Because our 3D ThinkLink project is as much about thinking as it is about 3D printing, the students spent the rest of the day coming up with ideas for things they could make with the new materials they’d learned about – then designing and printing their creations.

Kelvin Stoddard removes powder from
a model car printed on the Z450

We also demonstrated our Z450 printer, a full-color inkjet and powder bed machine, to teach the kids about a 3D printing method that’s quite different from the FDM (fused-deposition modeling) they used at school. Instead of extruding layers of melted plastic filament like the Cube or M3D, the Z450 builds layers of ink and liquid binder on super-fine gypsum powder. 

IMade3D CEO Ladi Goc explains the JellyBox 3D printer to the lab class 

Thursday’s lab session was devoted to the JellyBox, a unique 3D printer kit from IMade3D. It’s designed to be assembled, operated and taken apart over and over again so students can understand how 3D printers work. Besides being a great teaching tool, the JellyBox produces beautiful, high-quality prints in a variety of materials.

IMade3D CEO Ladi Goc and outreach director Bruce Troutman spent the day with the kids in the lab, but didn’t give them any written instructions. Instead, the students examined a fully assembled JellyBox, asked questions and figured out what to do through trial and error. This helped strengthen their problem-solving skills, a key element of 3D ThinkLink training.

Our lab students assemble JellyBox 3D printers  

NeLazjay, who has strong mechanical abilities, especially enjoyed the hands-on learning activity. In about three hours, the kids finished building their JellyBox and started doing test prints. Ladi and Bruce said they’d never seen a group complete the project so quickly.

Tom and the students at
YouthQuest's VIP Reception

The big payoff came on Thursday night, when the students attended our annual VIP Reception to meet some of our leading supporters and show off their 3D printing skills. Our guests at the event hosted by Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar in Tysons Corner were fascinated to see the JellyBox and M3D printers in action and impressed by what the kids had accomplished.

Last week’s experience was a confidence-builder for Henry, Kelvin and NeLazjay. We hope it inspires them to go further with 3D printing and to build on the thinking skills they’re developing.

We also want to thank technology teacher Jim Field from the PHILLIPS School and CGYCA staffers Tonya Lewis and Ricardo Abbott for being with us during the lab sessions. They seemed to enjoy the activities as much as the kids!

Henry Spiegelblatt, NeLazJay Brown and Kelvin Stoddard receive certificates from YouthQuest President Lynda Mann and Director of Instruction Tom Meeks