Vol. 18, No. 20Feb. 18, 1999

Students move into the third dimension

Faculty in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, including Tony Wexler and Michael Keefe (left and center), are using a high-tech printer to help undergraduate students rapidly model three-dimensional objects. Use of the machine is supervised by Roger Stahl (right). To study the movement of tiny particles through the human respiratory system, for example, Wexler recently created a 3-D model of the nose.

The printer created a template for the model, which was solidified and preserved using water-soluble glue, followed by a rubber coating.

This semester, Keefe is introducing the technology to sophomores in his "Computer-Aided Engineering Design Laboratory" course. "In automated manufacturing, the 3-D printer is an important design tool for rapid prototyping," Keefe explained. "I'm introducing sophomores to this technology, so that they can use it to solve real problems, as part of their senior design project."

Photo by Robert Cohen