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A1 Technologies have just introduced a new 3 D printer, the Maxit, which they claim can be assembled from the kit within four hours. The Maxit is said to be extremely reliable and the kit is price at £995 and a complete 3D studio, including the Chameleon 3D Design and David 3D laser scanner as well as a Maxit, is available for under £2,000.
HPC Laser recently handed over a laser to Sarita Sharp and Annabel Ashwell of the Mandeville School, Aylesbury.
The laser was a prize for the winners of the HPC competition to find the school or college which made the strongest case for the FREE machine.
The winning school was chosen by Andrew Morton of ICHF, the organisers of the Design and Technology Show, based on their letter. The prize was presented by Chris Jacobs of HPC Laser.
Metalcraft sales are going from strength to strength. Traffic to the product website has increased by 70 per cent since its makeover earlier this year,
For more information on Metalcraft contact J & C.R.Wood on 01482 345067 or visit the website – www.metal-craft.co.uk
In the light of proposed curriculum changes Eptsoft have added STEM software to its title for science, technology, engineering and maths.
This highly interactive software includes around a thousand topics ready for full screen IWB technology.
Developed to resemble a colourful interactive text book page on the screen, individual values can be inserted from traditional text book examples, enabling students to interactively explore the book’s topics in a more interesting and enjoyable way.
The Eptsoft STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths V10 is available as a downloadable evaluation package on this website.
IWB market leader SMART Technologies has introduced the Podium 518 and 524 interactive pen displays which provide the functionality of a SMART board interactive whiteboard, optimised for individual use and enables teachers and lecturers to turn any classroom into an interactive collaboration space.
Because the tethered pen is the point of contact, users can rest their hand on the interactive display while writing notes or interacting with the content while the smooth tilt stand enables users to adjust the angle for a more natural writing experience.
Lasers were a main feature on the stands at the recent D+T Show.
Specialist suppliers such as CTR Lasers, HPC Laser, Laserite, Solar Laser Systems, and Trotec were busy offering their machines.
Major equipment suppliers also offered a wide range of different lasers..
These companies included Boxford. C.R.Clarke, Denford, EMCO, Technology Supplies and TechSoft.
Dena of Barnsley has developed an ‘end of life’ tyre recycling technology which creates a wood replacement product while using zero emissions and zero waste.
Dena Technology uses nanoparticles of rubber to produce a new wood replacement product.
The organisation claims the end product can be used to produce over 120 different wood replacement products including outdoor flooring, roofing tiles, construction sheets and outdoor furniture.
Already, there is interest from education. For more information contact: Dena Sulaiman on dena.sulaiman@dena.co.uk
‘IDEAL FOR USE WITH VAC-FORMERS ‘
Formech have recently developed a manually operated roller press – the MRP500 – for the education market. It is said to be ideal for use with vacuum formers.
For more information contact Formech on 01582 469 797
Thinking of buying a laser?
Nick Watts, product specialist from Technology Supplies answers the top 10 questions about buying lasers for schools.
1. How do I choose the right machine?
Ask yourself what you will be using the machine for. Laser Cutters can cut and engrave a wide range of material including acrylic, wood, textiles, card and engraving laminate, so deciding which subject areas will be using the Laser Cutter, what they will be using it for and which materials will be cut, are the three most important questions to ask first. These determine which machine will best meet your needs.
2. How much power do I need?
Should you buy the highest possible wattage machine that you can afford? Not necessarily. The quality of the optics is what really enhances the machine’s performance. This means that wattage performance can vary across manufacturers, which is why it is really important to see machines in operation.
3. Why is bed size important?
The majority of Laser Cutters are available in standard bed sizes from A3 to A1. Obviously the bigger the bed, the more jobs you can produce at once time. It also depends on the material sizes you will be using with the laser. Think carefully about your requirements, but also remember, you can’t increase your bed size in the future without buying another Laser Cutter!
4. Do I need extraction?
Yes, all odours from Laser cut materials should be efficiently extracted in the classroom. Check to make sure your chosen supplier can supply suitable laser extraction. Also, look out for additional safety features such as an ‘auto cut off’ which ensures the Laser Cutter won’t operate without extraction in operation.
5. How much room/space will I need in my classroom?
With machine sizes varying from small desktop machines to larger floor standing units, this is a key consideration. Will the machine actually fit through a standard doorway? Will you need to move things around to accommodate the Laser Cutter? Laser Cutters and extraction units typically range between a footprint of 1sqm for a desktop style of machine to 2sqm for the larger freestanding models and need to be sited approx. 30cms away from a wall for ventilation purposes.
6. What materials can I use in a Laser Cutter?
You can cut and engrave a wide range of materials such as acrylics, wood, engraving laminate, fabrics and polypropylene – just some of the more popular materials.
7. Are there any materials I can’t use?
Yes, any material containing PVC is deemed not suitable due to the release of chlorine gas which is harmful to breathe and can potentially damage your Laser Cutter. Metals cannot be cut or engraved but the use of a special marking paste applied to the surface, will enable metals to be marked by the laser. Be sure to check the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for all materials you use on a Laser Cutter.
8. What else do I need to get started?
Once your machine has been delivered and installed, you need to know how to use it – so make sure your supplier provides comprehensive training. Technology Supplies offers a full onsite training session for you and your colleagues. You will also need a PC with the appropriate drivers installed, which will be covered during your training, as well as a vector drawing package.
9. Is a Laser Cutter easy for me and my students to use?
Yes, once you’ve had the training, the laser itself is so user friendly; you and your students will pick it up in no time. Your designs are produced in your vector drawing package, sent to the machine via a printer driver and the Laser Cutter does the rest. For peace of mind, ensure your supplier can offer lifetime technical support and a comprehensive warranty.
10. Can I afford it?
A Laser Cutter can look like a big purchase to make outright but there are many more affordable payment options available to make it easier than you might think to bring this technology to your workshop. How about a joint purchase with another department within the school? Laser Cutter s offer lots of cross curricular opportunities. It can also be a money saver for your school by using it to produce school signage or perhaps raising funds through ‘business enterprise’ activities such as designing, creating and selling personalised products.
For a quotation or more information on the CADCAM range from Technology Supplies Ltd, please call 01630 637370 to speak to a CADCAM specialist.
Education secretary Michael Gove warns teachers a strike on June 30 will damage their reputation and alienate the public. He said he would to everything in his power to encourage schools to keep open.
DATA has launched a manifesto to keep D +T a statutory subject. In the manifesto a host of influential people pledge their support to the campaign to keep D +T mandatory.
In the May issue of Technology in Education DATA CEO Richard Green stresses the subject has reach a critical, but exciting point in its development. In the National Curriculum currently under review, Design and Technology should stay a statutory subject for all pupils aged 5 to 14, he urges.
Students need to do more to prepare themselves for the workplace
Students want universities to better explain employability skills and to provide more support to help develop them develop these important competencies according to a CBI/National Union of Students survey published recently and reported in the May issue of Technology in Education.
The survey of 2,614 students showed that over half (57%) want universities to help them with skills such as customer awareness, team working, and self management.
Sir James Dyson recommends D+T remains a statutory subject
Dyson recommends D+T should be renamed “ Design Engineering Technology “ and should be reclassified as a STEM subject.
These suggestions came in an exclusive interview he gave to Technology in Education published in the May issue – on page 34.
He strongly advocated that Design and Technology should stay a statutory subject within the national curriculum currently under review.
