News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A Tennessee Tech Professor is training educators from all over Appalachia on the benefits of 3D Printing.
Manufacturing and Engineering Technology Professor Dr. Ismail Fidan said the class started about 20 years ago. Fidan said the training helps educators who are not very close to the industry keep up with the changes.
“Once in a while, we have been doing this training,” Fidan said. “Why? because the technology is called the latest revolution or the latest technology in the entire manufacturing field.”
The class teaches participants about material extrusion and fuse deposition modeling. Fidan said training educators is important as they teach students who are the core of workforce development.
“We train the trainers which are the STEM educators and we expect that they go back and do those things they learn from us for their students,” Fidan said.
Fidan said 3D printing is a high demand for manufacturing companies.
“You can produce the complex parts,” Fidan said. “You can produce the lightweight parts, you can produce the quick parts that you need for your product development or your need for quick and operatable solutions.”
Fidan said they do an extensive review of all applicants and pick 20 applicants and four hold list applicants.
Participants in the class not only learn important information but also receive printing equipment and materials. Fidan has partnered with Somerset Community College in Kentucky to acquire grant funding from the National Science Foundation.
