3D Printing and Creating Impact | Architecting AV
By Chi Hang Lo
This week, I’ll be delving deeper into the fascinating world of 3D printing and its impact on creative industries such as video sharing and social media, architects and engineers, and art. We’ll explore how higher education institutions can tap into the potential of this game-changing technology to benefit students and faculty alike. Also, I’ll discuss how centralized management approaches enable technology managers to provide efficient, cost-effective, and innovative services.
3D Printing: Unleashing Creativity in the Film, Architecture, and Art Worlds
3D printing is transforming the creative landscape in remarkable ways. YouTubers can create realistic props and costumes without breaking the bank effortlessly, while architects & engineers can efficiently produce detailed scale models for their studies.
At the same time, artists are pushing the limits by experimenting with innovative forms and materials, giving rise to impressive sculptures and installations. 3D printing technology offers many incredible opportunities, connecting students to their future professions and unlocking the potential of 3D printing in various fields.
Connecting Students to the Industry through 3D Printing
Higher education institutions can be pivotal in connecting students with these exciting industry developments. Universities can create a bridge between students and the industry by offering 3D printing facilities and fostering collaboration with creative professionals. For example, hosting joint workshops or inviting guest speakers from various creative fields can inspire students and open up new avenues for their careers.
Unlocking the Value of 3D Printing in Higher Education
To fully deliver the potential of 3D printing, universities might consider implementing a centralized management system, such as cloud-based or network management, for their 3D printers. This approach offers several key benefits for technology managers:
— Scalability: A centralized management system makes expanding and adapting to changes and technologies easy, giving technology managers the flexibility to grow their 3D printing capabilities.
— Cost-effectiveness: Streamlining the process with cloud management software allows technology managers to monitor printers and analyze 3D files more efficiently. Optimizing printing time and filament usage can lead to significant cost savings for universities.
— Innovation: Promoting collaboration and knowledge-sharing among departments helps create an innovative environment for students and faculty members. A real-life example of this collaboration occurred at my university during the coronavirus crisis. Departments shared 3D files to print N95-like masks, demonstrating the practical application of 3D printing technology in a time of need.
By adopting a centralized management system for 3D printers, technology managers can unlock the full potential of 3D printing technology, leading to greater scalability, cost-effectiveness, and innovation across various disciplines.
Here are a few tips to help higher education institutions optimize their 3D printing initiatives:
— Integrate 3D printing into relevant curricula to help students understand its potential and applications.
— Offer training and workshops on 3D printing to empower students and staff to explore new ideas and techniques.
— Collaborate with local businesses or industry leaders to create internship opportunities for students, enabling them to gain real-world experience.
— Set up a centralized management system to streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
— Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration by creating a digital creative lab that serves multiple departments, fostering innovation and discovery.
Technology managers can unlock incredible value and innovation by incorporating 3D printing into higher education and creative industries. Embracing centralized management, similar to AV-over-IP, can help technology managers deliver top-notch services that are scalable, cost-effective, and innovative. So let’s dive in and discover the fantastic possibilities that 3D printing has to offer!
If you found this article helpful, please let me know your thoughts and feedback. I would love to share more about the software innovation of 3D printing technology and how to use cloud manager solutions to help you manage your lab and evaluate the right 3D printing solutions for your needs. Feel free to contact me at chihang.lo@usc.edu or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chihanglo/
In my upcoming article, I will explore AV/IT solutions, focusing on how technology managers can utilize AV-over-IP technology to address their technological challenges. We will discuss how this approach can be seen as an opportunity to enhance staff skills, expand the range of technology options, and deliver excellent services at scale. Stay tuned!
Connect with Chi Hang Lo:
Email: chihang.lo@usc.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chihanglo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChiLo_SC
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