Updated in April 2021
The purpose of software is to help people.
A statement from an author and principal staff software engineer at LinkedIn. A simple quote, sure, but advanced technology is all about making complex processes easier, faster, increasingly accessible and more widely available.
In the education sector specifically, we are seeing a plethora of new technologies - particularly in STEM, but also in subject areas such as design, biology, history and geography.
3D printing lies at the heart of this innovation.
Indeed, 3D printers are being increasingly adopted to improve teaching methods and further prepare students for the workplace where such technology is evermore commonplace. Between 2017-2025, the 3D printing industry at large is set to expand by a whopping 17.5%.
It comes as no surprise therefore that the right 3D shop management software can take the learning experience to new heights. Not only do students and teachers thrive, curriculums stand out from the crowd for their innovation.
The Reality of a University Shop Setup
While top universities offering additive manufacturing studies – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) , University of Cambridge and Univeristy of Michigan included – will be utilizing high caliber shop management software to streamlines the learning process, anyone can tap into manufacturing prowess. It need not matter where you attend.
Wherever you are carrying out your studies, most students and professors find that managing workload can prove challenging, for multiple reasons. For course operators, it can be tough to juggle multiple projects within one class - let alone across multiple classes for which they are responsible. It can also be time consuming when you need to manually set up virtual workshops for each student.
Students are often required to submit files in certain format for different projects, which can often cause data to be lost or work quality to be compromised. If they need to manually check in to a system to keep up to date with project statuses, grades or comments from tutors this can also lead to frustration and confusion.
With orders and requests coming across various classes and departments, from students to professors, between students themselves and amongst professors, it’s easy to see how workflow can be disrupted.
The Need for Shop Management Software in the Education Sector
There are numerous benefits to using 3D printing shop management software in schools but the most significant is a smooth, obstacle-free workflow.
GrabCAD Shop is one example of state of the art management software that simplifies the traditional 3D print preparation workflow. It provides intelligence around printer usage so that 3D printing in the classroom is carried out in the most efficient and effective manner possible. The unique software can take 3D printing in the education industry to that next level.
What’s more, improvements in the range of resources makes 3D printing more accessible than ever before in the education sector. It’s as simple as downloading the right software, and then it can be accessed by both student and teacher via desktop, tablet or a mobile device.
With GrabCAD Shop, a standardized order process ensures teachers and students can communicate quickly with each other, ensuring that no information is lost in translation. A centralized, organized system means less time spent going back and forth between stakeholders and more time to focus on the task at hand.
It’s easy to keep track of requests —by class, project, or department for example, making it simple to charge costs back to the department or professor.
Administratiors and IT teams will GrabCAD Shop because it's a web-based application that can be set up in less than 30 minutes, so you spend less time on administrative tasks and more time making waves in the exciting world of 3D printing.
Talk about cutting back on stress and extra work.
The Future of 3D Printing in Education
According to a study commissioned by Ricoh Europe, nearly 90% of higher education professionals believe that skills developed using digital manufacturing and 3D printing technologies are vital for graduates entering the current job market.
As 3D printing continues to play an increasingly important role in today’s education landscape, in subjects both specific and related, the right the software to go alongside such technology is imperative.
As stated in the 3D printing directory: “3D printing is not only transforming classroom learning...[it has] the prowess to break the classroom walls.”
There can be no doubt that 3D printing is changing the world. By giving teachers and students access to such life altering technology, we are putting them at the heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
If you want to learn more about and creating an additive manufacturing shop, check out this webinar.
