Laser cutter & design software encouraging student inquiry Scott Symonds Design Hangarau Teacher at Ross Intermediate in Palmerston North talks about their new laser cutter and CNC and how they have worked with MakerspaceNZ We recently undertook a substantial overhaul of our Design and Technology curriculum, facilities, and equipment with an emphasis on pulling the subject into the 21st century. We sorely lacked any sort of digital design and CAD/CAM gear, and with this as a priority we choose MakerspaceNZ based on their prompt response and excellent consultation. MakerspaceNZ supplied and installed our laser cutter and CNC, and have provided substantial ongoing support in the form of training, maintenance and the
Our laser cutter has been very successfully integrated into our curricula. What it offers as a ‘tool’ is the ability for students to create complex products with a level of finish that would have been unavailable to them previously.
supply of consumables. They have a great knowledge of the machines they sell and customers they work with and have become key partners in our redevelopment. Prior to redevelopment, our Art, Design and Technology facilities were solidly locked in the 1970’s, with vintage equipment leading to ‘vintage’ projects. Whilst students still enjoyed these lessons and learned valuable skills, we wanted to provide students with the means to design and realise
their own creations through an inquiry-based approach that more closely resembles a commercial product design process. Our laser cutter has become central to much of what we do, allowing students to rapidly prototype technical designs using vector design software, as well as producing more decorative products and finishes using tablet and stylus. We use the laser across Hard Materials, Soft Materials and Art.
INTRODUCING THE NEW GENESIS GEN2 RANGE OF LASER CUTTERS, FEATURING 2X FASTER ENGRAVING & CUTTING* AND MUCH MORE!
G630L
G750L
600X300 (50W) $6980*
700X300 (80W) $9380*
G960L 900X600 (80W) $13480*
Staff love being able to quickly create resources to inspire students, as well as making doubles of excellent examples of student work. Beyond its practical benefits, we have found that the machine along with the design software that we have available, promotes a unique level of engagement that encourages student inquiry and experimentation. Feedback from students and the parents who visit our facilities has been so overwhelmingly positive that we are now looking to invest in another machine dedicated to Soft Materials and Art.
GEN2
G139L 1300X900 (100W) $15980*
*MATERIAL DEPENDANT **ALL PRICES ARE EXCLUSIVE OF GST, DELIVERY, INSTALLATION AND TRAINING
0800 810 365 MAKERSPACE.CO.NZ LASER CUTTERS | CNC ROUTERS | CNC PLASMA | 3D PRINTERS | FUME EXTRACTION Term 2, 2022 | schoolnews.co.nz
TECHNOLOGY
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