Schools, colleges and universities are increasingly adopting 3D printing to put physical objects into the hands of the students who conceived them, bringing the design education process to its logical conclusion. Rapidly transforming ideas into real-world objects firmly engages developing minds while exposing them to advanced technologies that will propel their careers, say educators.

Design students at the University of Huddersfield School of Art & Design, UK, first create their designs in SolidWorks®, AutoCAD®, Alias®, 3ds Max® or RhinoTM software. The printer accepts this data and produces a 3D physical model. "Students love watching the 3D printer work, and they love watching their parts come to life," says Chris Charlesworth, technical team leader at the school and manager of the university's 3D Design Workshop. "They're very intrigued by the technology, which allows them to produce parts they wouldn't have the time or skills to craft by hand."

"Students get an idea, sketch it out, develop it, animate it, print it, and hold it in their hands," Bruce Weirich, computer drafting instructor at Ontario H.S. in Mansfield, Ohio, USA. "When they hold it in their hands, they're closing the loop, which really brings the value of the exercise home. Until then, it's all conceptual and virtual. Completing the circle is important. It turns kids on."

Staten Island Technical H.S. New York. "It gives students a better understanding of their design," says CAD coordinator Frank Mazza. "What looks good on the computer screen doesn't always translate to the real world, so 3D printing is enhancing and reinforcing students' CAD and conceptual skills. There's just something very valuable from an educational standpoint in holding an object in your hands at the end of the design process - especially for engineering-oriented students. Overall, it's a distinct advantage for our students to be able to use technology that is important and current in industry"

These examples are among hundreds taking place at the more than 750 secondary schools, vocational/technical schools, colleges and universities around the world that have invested in Z Corporation 3D printers. Z Corporation printers are the device of choice for schools that value:

Speed - Z Corporation printers are the fastest 3D printers, critical in producing an entire class's models.

Color - Z Corporation makes the only 3D printers capable of printing in colour, heightening appeal and ability to inform.

Affordability - Z Corporation 3D printers have the lowest operating costs, important for every institution on a fixed budget.

Versatility - Z Corporation printers are ideal for uses beyond creating manufacturing prototypes. Architecture students can create building models.

Geography/geology and civil engineering students can create landscape models. Medical students can create models of body parts. Art students can create digitally generated sculptures.

Education's adoption of 3D printing follows a wider trend in manufacturing. Annual sales of rapid prototyping systems have been escalating at a 37 percent/annum over the past 18 years, driven most recently by the popularity of 3D printing systems. (Wohlers Associates consulting).