Introduction to 3D Printing Training Workshop Held in St. Lucia
St. Lucia – Ten residents from the south of the island recently participated in an Introduction to 3D Printing training course held at the Laborie Digital Development Centre.
Course Overview
The comprehensive one-day course, held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, introduced participants to the exciting world of 3D printing, exploring its transformative impact across various industries, as well as on a consumer level.
What is 3D Printing?
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an additive manufacturing process that creates a physical object from a digital design. The process works by laying down thin layers of material in the form of liquid or powdered plastic, metal or cement, and then fusing the layers together.
Course Content
Participants learned the fundamentals of 3D printing technology, including the different types of 3D printers. The course also covered key concepts in 3D modeling, guiding students through a hands-on design exercise where they created their own 3D models. Organizers hope that by the end of the course, participants will not only understand how 3D printing works, but will also have the opportunity to print their designs, providing a practical experience that bridges theory and application.
Sponsorship
The course was sponsored by the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) and the Government of Saint Lucia, which are now undertaking a four-year “Application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Digital Capacity Building Project. The project aims to develop and nurture the ICT capabilities and competencies as part of strategies to enhance Saint Lucia’s human resource capital.
Expert Insights
During the workshop, Mr. Simon Chen, Project Manager for ICT at the Taiwan Technical Mission, gave the participants a brief introduction to artificial intelligence (AI), showing them ways in which they can incorporate both AI and 3D printing to create quality finished products.
Mr. Chris Tanner, Lead Technician from Real 3D Solutions, facilitated the workshop. He spoke to the importance of 3D printing, which has been revolutionary in solving many everyday problems.
Participant Feedback
Ms. Jerliene Moncherie, one of the participants, said she attended the workshop to acquire a better understanding of the technology. "I’ve heard about 3D in movies, but not 3D printing," she said. "I want to become more familiar with it so I can share what I learned with my students at the summer camps I host. I can use 3D to help bring out their creativity."
Another participant, Mr. Kyle Charlemagne, said he learned a great deal from the workshop and hopes to make the best use of the knowledge he acquired. "It’s a very useful skill to have, especially in times of modernization," he said. "I’ve always heard about 3D printing, but this was my first time being involved in learning this much about it. I believe that skills can bring us a long way in life. As a young man, I think it’s best that I learn as many skills as I can. Also, since the workshop was free, I decided to give it a try."
Conclusion
The Introduction to 3D Printing training workshop was a significant achievement for the work being done in the community. The collaboration between the Taiwan Technical Mission and the Government of Saint Lucia has set a strong foundation for future innovation in Laborie.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is 3D printing?
- 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that creates a physical object from a digital design.
- What was the purpose of the workshop?
- The workshop aimed to introduce participants to the exciting world of 3D printing, exploring its transformative impact across various industries, as well as on a consumer level.
- Who sponsored the workshop?
- The workshop was sponsored by the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) and the Government of Saint Lucia.
- What skills did participants learn?
- Participants learned the fundamentals of 3D printing technology, including the different types of 3D printers, and key concepts in 3D modeling.
About The Author
