Abstract:

This work presents the preliminary results of the initiative carried out in an engineering school for the implementation of 3D printing as a technological teaching tool in its training programmes through the creation of a fabrication laboratory (FabLabs). This initiative is framed within the educational innovation project "Implementation of FabLabs in the Engineering studies of the School of Mining and Energy Engineering of Madrid (UPM) ".

In terms of competences, the objective is to develop aspects such as creativity, problem solving, especially in three-dimensional design, and the use of ICT´s. Whereas, from the point of view of learning, the objective is to incorporate into teaching methodology a technology that is currently producing substantial changes in society and with a greater projection into the future. To fulfil these objectives, different actions have been applied to enable students to deal with 3D printing technology from two different aspects, training in the basic concepts and skills of 3D design, especially aimed at students in lower grades, and the design and prototyping activities for students in higher courses.

Taking advantage of the wide spectrum of solutions provided by this technology, which gives it a markedly transversal character, challenges from different knowledge areas have been included through Physics and Engineering subjects in an IT environment for graphic design and spatial visualisation of problems.

One of the most important aspects in any teaching activity is to increase the motivation and active participation of the students, in this case, this has been addressed through a voluntary design competition among the undergraduate students. All the activities progress and results will be channelled through questionnaires and surveys, to assess the impact on the learning process, as well as the level of satisfaction and interest of students in this technology.

At the same time, our project provides the necessary training to engineering students for the creation at the School of a common work space where they can materialize their ideas, creations and other engineering solutions in an autonomous and collaborative way.

Finally, based on the experience and preliminary results, a first approximation of a methodological model for the incorporation of 3D printing in engineering studies is proposed, which is expected to be feedbacked and improved with the results of the successive academic courses.

Keywords:

3D Printing, Technical Drawing, Physics.