J. Technology and Education, Vol.21, No.2, pp.53-62 (2014)

教育論文

 

3Dプリンタの現状と今後の展望

−体感できる分子モデルの教材作り−

 

吉村 忠与志*

福井工業高等専門学校名誉教授 (〒916-8507鯖江市下司町)

*tadayosi@fukui-nct.ac.jp

 

Present status and prospects of the 3D printer

Making educational materials of a molecular model that we can touch

 

Tadayosi YOSHIMURA

Fukui National College of Technology (Geshi, Sabae, Fukui 916-8507, Japan)

 

 (Received June 16, 2014; Accepted July 10, 2014)

 

The 3D printer was invented in 1980, 34 years ago. Today, there are signs of its spreading for personal use. I will describe the history of the technological innovation of the 3D printer and survey the future. I will discuss the various techniques of 3D printing, including the fused deposition modeling method, the stereo lithography method, the projection method, the selective laser sintering method, the ink-jet method, the ink-jet powder laminating method, and I will also describe the manufacturing process. The activity of the RepRap Community has become the driving force in the spread of low-priced personal 3D printers.

I will describe the present status of molecular modeling using a 3D printer. Teruo Nagao’s achievements in the field of 3D molecular-model making were splendid. I will report on the making of educational materials of molecular models that can be touched.

Key words: 3D printer, Making educational materials, 3D molecular model, RepRap community