Among the technical equipment of the Center for Innovative Educational Technologies “PNU Ecosystem”, purchased due to the project of the EU program Erasmus + “Modernization of pedagogical higher education using innovative teaching tools – MoPED” (№ 586098-EPP-1-2017-1-UA-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP) there is a 3D printer, which is designed for three-dimensional printing using FDM technology from the most common types of plastic ABS and PLA and is used for educational purposes.
Initiated by the University, this equipment was used to print and complete protective shields for medical workers, which are one of the best types of protection against the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The material for printing was purchased at the expense of university staff. On June 11, a part of such protective shields has been already transferred to Ivano-Frankivsk Central City Clinical Hospital.
According to Mykhaylo Kotyk, a Candidate of Technical Sciences and an employee of the Center, «by selecting ready-made models, the optimal and convenient option was chosen and modernized. By selecting the printing parameters, the printing time of one piece was reduced for ABS material from 135 to 110 minutes, and for PLA material from 150 to 120 minutes, so when printing 10 pcs. 250-300 minutes are saved. Both ABS and PLA materials are resistant to external factors and non-toxic, which is an advantage when printing in a classroom».
In the future, the 3D printer will be used in teacher training courses, because the skills of working with 3D equipment are essential today.