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JVS enhanced with 3-D technology

BLOOMINGDALE — Multimedia and design students at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School have some extra tools to enhance their learning capabilities with the addition of two professional-grade 3-D printers.

Instructor Cody LaRue said the MakerGear M3ID machines were acquired this summer.

“They will be incorporated into the class through 3-D modeling, sculpting and printing, and we want to incorporate more S.T.E.M. education,” Larue said, adding that the printer could also generate items for other JCJVS programs. “If auto body needed a part, we may be able to scan and replace parts with durable plastic in our 3-D lab.”

LaRue said the devices provide state-of-the-art production for his students.

“Now we’re expanding to professional-grade ones, and I don’t think any other schools have the same level of equipment,” he continued. “I’d like to incorporate more S.T.E.M. education, and it gets complicated because we’re dealing with things down to the millimeters and it needs to be very precise For the past couple of years, we’ve had the MakerBot duplicator and 3-D printer and my students have always expressed interest, and I wanted to expand upon that interest because 3-D is very vital right now.”

He said computer-aided design has changed through the years.

“It is becoming more popular in the tech field, especially for graphic design. They can design things in three-dimension and make them a reality. Multimedia is an evolution of what the class used to be from CAD into more exciting technology.”

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