Keeping up with the latest advances and releases in terms of STEM solutions for education is a bit of a challenge—especially for the teachers who use them. It’s also a fun undertaking a lot of the time, too, especially for those of us who have the time. Fortunately, we found some time to research and try different versions of the 3Doodler 3D printing pens, the 3Doodler PRO. Compared to the 3Doodler Start and 3Doodler Create, the PRO version is a bit more advanced and a bit more powerful, making it a great ‘next step’ option in maker education.
As we alluded to, the 3Doodler PRO is the next model in the 3Doodler line of 3D pens. Looking at it, it’s fairly easy to see that it’s a bit more robust than the 3Doodler Create, which is the pen that comes before the PRO in the progression. It’s a bit bigger in size, too, and the 3Doodler PRO is actually designed to be used in more prolonged 3D design projects. Not only is it a great tool for students, it actually has plenty of potential for creative professionals, engineers, artists, and designers as well thanks to its increased power.
The best part about the 3Doodler PRO is that it can be used by educators to supplement content in almost any school subject. Whether in English, math, history class, or something else, topics and concepts will be discussed and students will start forming internal visions for what those concepts really mean. Wouldn’t it be great, however, if they could act on the creative interpretation they formulate and design a 3D rendering of what they are thinking? Not only is this a great way to engage them and get them working in a hands-on way, it’s a perfect opportunity to introduce them to the world of 3D printing while staying within the curriculum.
The minds behind the manufacturing of the PRO pen designed it to be able to offer the highest quality mobile 3D printing experience. Students can load in two strands of filament at the same time, which helps them be able to design more robust structures without having to stop and reload the pen. Students and makers can use this pen to design small and sturdy structures or some that are larger in size than they would have previously been able to do. Thanks to its technical upgrades and built-in speed settings, the 3Doodler PRO certainly allows students to achieve all they desire in terms of engineering and design.
Another improvement in the 3Doodler PRO that other versions did not include is dial-controlled temperature changing. This allows students to manipulate the temperature of their pen more easily. While this is an important update, especially when you consider that this pen is used a lot in educational settings, some of its other features are cool as well. Speaking of educational settings, the 3Doodler PRO is great for use in makerspaces particularly at the middle and high school levels thanks to its advanced power and speed. It allows students to more quickly turn their ideas into objects and helps them see the connection between engineering and 3D design.
Okay, so now here’s the coolest part of the 3Doodler PRO. It can be loaded and print with the same ABS, PLA, and FLEXY filament as the other 3Doodler pens. Oh, and it can also print with wood, metal, and nylon! That’s an incredibly cool added element to 3D printing in education, giving students the chance to see how they can make useful objects out of a much greater variety of materials. The wood filament, for example, is made from real wood fiber and can be used to build lightweight structures. Students could also use it to repair structures that already exist—whether they were originally made out of wood or not! It can also be sanded or stained to provide a totally unique finish.
In addition to wood, the 3Doodler PRO also supports printing with nylon. This filament is very strong and durable and has a fabric-like feel. It can be used to create small parts for existing structures or students can use it to create entirely new ones. The metal filament is made with real bronze and copper and results in structures that are more on the brittle side. The strength of this material increases with each additional layer and can also be sanded or polished to give it more of a shine after it’s been printed.
The 3Doodler PRO is definitely the real deal when it comes to maximizing maker education. Whether you’re looking to integrate it in an academic setting or afterschool arena, it makes a great addition to creative activities and engineering experiences. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram as well and stay tuned for the return of our Tips & Tricks blog next week! Find the rest of our 3Doodler offerings on the 3Doodler section of our store.