Intuitive 3D printers improve cognitive learning

Creating a T-800 Terminator skull with glowing red eyes to hold your beret might not seem like the most ‘military’ use for the MakerSpace at Latchford Barracks, but the workshop’s value isn’t strictly in the objects created, according to site supervisor Andrew Haines.

CAPTION: Personnel at the Army Logistics Training Centre use the MakerSpace workshop on Latchford Barracks. Story and photos by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree.

“The bloke who made that skull had to teach himself 3D printing and how to do the basic circuitry to get the LED eyes in,” Mr Haines said.

The site’s 400-500 visitors a month must learn the fundamentals behind producing objects, making their newly acquired skill more important than their creations.

Personnel must learn how to set 3D printers and produce designs using CAD (computer-aided design) software before they can walk away with something they’ve made.

Mr Haines said the goal was to improve cognitive learning and knowledge of emerging technologies.

Despite the majority of work produced for personal use, medics have printed training aids and RAEME (Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) instructors have made miniature working gear sets to help trainees visualise gearboxes.

Regular MakerSpace user and Army School of Logistic Operations instructor Sergeant Steven Richardson used the space’s 3D printers to create terrain for Latchford’s wargaming simulation centre.

“There’s a lot of design, problem-solving, creativity skills being developed,” he said.

“In future, there’s going to be more 3D printing of stuff as it becomes more commercially available.

“You can buy 3D-printed stuff off the shelves now. I can see it being in the wider Army more and more. So it’s handy to pick up those skills.”

While users prefer 3D printing because it’s easy to learn, the space also includes more complex tools such as a CNC (computer numerical control) router and laser cutter for computer-controlled object shaping.

CAPTION: Personnel from the Army Logistics Training Centre conduct 3D printing at the MakerSpace workshop on Latchford Barracks.

Popular activities include creating items to hold hats and laser engraving corps badges on metal drink bottles.

“You’ll get a run on things. Someone will do something and then everyone else will say ‘I want that’; then everyone’s tripping over themselves to do something like printing on T-shirts,” Mr Haines said.

The space is also open for a few hours after work and Mr Haines said it had also served a de-facto mental health function, where personnel could relax and work on a project.

“There will be a lightbulb moment. You’ll show them something they’ve been stumbling on and then bang, they’re right into it,” he said.

“Most of the equipment is quite intuitive. You can jump on and start creating stuff pretty quickly.

“If you get someone in and interested, then they walk out with something – they’re pretty happy.”

There will also be challenges undertaken, including who can print something the fastest with the most detail or who can convert a mousetrap into a car to go the furthest distance.

The Latchford MakerSpace is open to all military personnel from the surrounding area. It is one of the most popular sites and has a third of total users across the MakerSpace sites.

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