Combining 3D printing and electronics as a strategy for improving the learning experience

Abstract

Today, 3D printing has become a technology that has created a new paradigm of learning communities, constituting a contemporary culture or subculture, colloquially known as “maker culture”, which can be considered an extension of DIY (Do It Yourself) culture. It is a new culture based on technology and the use of tools that has been widely accepted in diverse fields such as medicine, architecture and handicraft. This article shows an experience of integration of learning of 3D printing with electronics within the curriculum of the Industrial Engineering degree, specialty in Mechanics. The methodology of Service Based Learning has been used for this purpose. A possible social need has been identified and, based on this need, the design of a solution by the students has been proposed. The selected example has been the development of a robotic hand capable of communicating through sign language. With this work the students have reinforced their knowledge of 3D modelling using the software Solid Works, as well as their knowledge of electronics, having to develop the control system for the motors of the hand’s joints using a system based on the popular microcontroller Arduino.