Laser Cutters versus 3D Printers for Mechanical Engineering Projects

The use of laser cutters versus 3D printers for mechanical engineering projects is discussed in this paper.Projects with a physical build are often included in lecture-based classes and 3D printing is a viable option to efficiently fabricate plastic models for the prototypes.3D printing is also an attractive fabrication option to students because they learn to create solid CAD models that are ready for 3D printing during their first year.However, 3D printers are often overused or misused when students print readily available components or structural components.Making a platform by drilling a few holes into a flat plate can be dismissed from the student's design considerations due to the ease of use of 3D printers and their hands-off nature (i.e., they can start a print and leave).The objective of our research is to evaluate the impact of introducing laser cutters in the first-year mechanical engineering program as an intermediate link between 3D printing and traditional manufacturing.The precise and fast laser can cut into thin flat plates allowing the students to think about designing parts in the flat and building more traditional assemblies.The use of 3D printing remains attractive, but it should be reserved for parts with complex geometry.