Innovation Lab: 3D Printing and Modeling

The AU Library's Innovation Lab has hardware and applications available for 3D editing, design, and manufacturing

Microsoft HoloLens

Oculus 

Steam

Windows Mixed Reality

HTC VIVE Pro

Samsung Odyssey

Unity

MSI Gaming Laptops

ASUS Predator Gaming Laptops

Open Broadcaster Software

DoD Maker Communities

MakerBot

MeshLab

Meshroom

Simplify3D

TinkerCad

Unity

Sketchup

Visual Studio

CUDA capable GPUs

3D printable 3D objects from NASA: 

https://nasa3d.arc.nasa.gov/models/printable

Air Force maker community:

https://innovatedefense.net/afmaker

3D Printing:

Create physical objects with additive manufacturing

AU Librarians recently assembled a large format Modix "Big 60" 3D printer with a huge printing area of over 8.6 cubic feet! For comparison, that's approximately the same volume as a portable cement mixer or a Galapagos Tortoise! The "Big 60" is now available and printing in the Innovation Lab at Air University Library. 

An Air University instructor inspects a fresh batch of 3D printed items. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, can disrupt traditional supply chains and logistical models. Prototype or replacement parts can be manufactured quickly and cheaply in-house, without having to contract out or rely on expensive OEM components. 

(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samuel Contreras)

"Using the 3D printer in the Innovation Lab at the [Air University Library], research assistants have developed prototype parts requested by C-130 aircrews. Once such part was manufactured for the Air Force Reserve’s 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell. The part is used to support crew seat armrests on the unit’s C-130s. Getting a replacement part from the original manufacturer would cost roughly $300 and an untold amount of time to get; however, a former research assistant, Capt. Ian Watkins, a B-1 crewmember at Dyess AFB, Texas, was able to manufacture the prototype in about four hours for less than $2 in materials."

-Phil Berube, Air University Public Affairs

Aside from a few nuts and bolts, this scale model of a turbofan engine was entirely 3D printed in the Innovation Lab. The cutaway exposes the engine internals, which can be further explored using augmented reality. The model is on display in the Innovation Lab at AU Library. 

3D Modeling:

Create or edit 3D digital objects or environments

3D modeling is highly accessible today, as many applications are open source and designed to be as intuitive as possible. No prior experience, computer science degree, or engineering background is required to develop original models and plans. The model above (a bracket for virtual reality sensors) was designed in less than two hours by an AU Librarian who had no previous CAD or 3D modeling experience. The bracket uses just a few cents worth of material, but saves hundreds of work hours when setting up a large inventory of VR equipment. 

3D object libraries contain countless virtual models for editing, printing, and uploading to VR/AR applications. A user can insert three-dimensional models into virtual or real-life environments, and manipulate the models as if they were real objects. Here, a Library patron interacts with an animated 3D virtual astronaut projected by the Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality visor (While wearing a 3D printed replica of an Apollo 11 spacesuit glove).