ESU One of the First in the World and Designated as Stratasys Super Lab

Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on November 21, 2016, One Comment

One of the first three in the world. It’s hard to imagine those odds, but at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) it’s a reality as the University’s G3 Design Lab celebrates its first semester as a Stratasys Super Lab, one of the first three in the world.

When Stratasys, a corporation that leads the world in 3D printers, launched the J750 3D printer in 2015, the company provided only three universities in the world with the new printer: East Stroudsburg University, Columbia University and New York University. This technology now provides ESU students with state-of-the-art experiences in the exciting field of additive manufacturing.

‘We are proud of this global recognition and the opportunities that the Stratasys technology will provide to our students and community,” said ESU President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D. “Rapid prototyping has created a growing demand for a technically trained workforce across all industries. This innovative technology is now available at ESU and will provide current and future students with unimaginable career opportunities.”

The J750 3D printer, which is manufactured in Israel, is twice as fast as any other Stratasys printer, printing six materials at a time instead of three. It has enhanced software and can print over 360,000 color combinations, according to Jesse Roitenberg, national education manager of Stratasys.

“The J750 printer is providing our students with experiences in 3D printing that are positioning them to be among the first in the world to learn this new cutting-edge technology,” said Darlene Farris-LaBar, professor of Art + Design, who led the effort to obtain the J750. “We are proud that our students will be far more prepared for the innovative jobs of the future.”

“With the introduction of the J750, we are harnessing more than 25 years of experience to set a new historical milestone in 3D printing,” said Josh Claman, chief business officer at Stratasys.

The new 3D printing technology enables ESU students to be prepared to work not only in fine art and diverse 2D and 3D areas of design, but also medical fields, biology, aerospace, nanotechnology and more. Students have already been preparing designs and research in anticipation of the new printer, according to Farris-LaBar.

The concept for the development of a 3D additive manufacturing lab at ESU was introduced by President Welsh during her first month as president in July 2012. The model was based on the Object Design Lab at Towson University which was created by faculty and fully supported by Dr. Welsh in her administrative role as Provost. The ESU G3D Design lab officially opened in April 2014 in the Art + Design Department with 3D printers, scanners, milling equipment, laser cutters, and 3D modeling and design software. Two years later, the lab is now internationally recognized as one of the first three in the world and now joined by University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Rochester Institute of Technology, Queensboro Community College, Berkshire Community College, three schools in Asia and one in Europe.

Stratasys representatives recognized and were impressed with the work of the Art + Design Department at ESU and thought this printer would be the perfect tool to help advance the university.

“We are confident the printer will help boost the awareness of digital art and digital manufacturing in the Pocono Mountains region,” said Roitenberg.

The ESU Art + Design department recently developed the certificate program “3D Printing and Product Design.” The 12-credit program will include an introductory course in 3D design, one in graphic design and two covering product design. A new course called Advanced 3D Design is being planned for spring 2017. In addition, the department offers two major degree programs: a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Integrated Art + Design with concentrations in Design and Fine Art and a Bachelor of Arts in Art + Design, with concentrations in Design, Fine Art and Art History.

Plans for an Open House and Tour of ESU’s Super Lab are being planned for Spring 2017. ESU’s J750 3D printer was funded by The R. Dale and Frances M. Hughes Foundation and the Hayes Warner Trust Fund. For more information about ESU’s certificate program in 3D Printing and Product Design contact Professor Joni Oye-Benintende, chair of ESU’s Art + Design program at (570) 422-3216 or jbenintende@esu.edu.