Tongji University

Tongji University, College of Architecture and Urban Planning

To prepare for the future, the teaching staff at the College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP) at Tongji University believes that creative thinking is just as important as professionalism. The teaching method at CAUP reflects this belief by integrating theoretical foundations with professional skills. The goal: to prepare students to meet the challenges of modern scientific developments while also accommodating social demands in all facets of their work.

Recognizing that being able to fully visualize design ideas was crucial to meeting this two-part goal, the college sought a 3D printing solution that it could install onsite for easy and cost-effective student use. The intent was that it would allow students to easily modify their designs and maximize their creativity to deliver more diversified designs. The Objet Alaris30 Desktop 3D Printer, from Objet Geometries, fit all the requirements, making it a straightforward choice for CAUP.

Prior to installing the Objet Alaris30 printer, CAUP had relied on FDM, CNC and SLA prototyping technologies. However none of them satisfied the college, as the faculty felt the various technologies’ shortcomings seriously limited students’ creativity.

Ease of use makes the teaching process more effective
The Objet Alaris30 Desktop 3D printer allows students to realize their 3D designs quickly and with a very high degree of accuracy. The students and teaching staff were pleased with the fine level of detail and smooth surfaces. The system is user-friendly and easy to use, enabling students with no prior machine experience to easily produce their designs safely and efficiently, and no need for complicated post-processing.
The Objet 3D printer has opened the way to enhanced educational and research possibilities for the department’s students, as well as providing opportunities to share information and technology with other departments, helping to further academic developments.

“Objet’s Alaris30 3D printer allows students to bring their unlimited creativity to a physical real model,” said Chengyu Sun, Xxxtitle, College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP), Tongji University. “Its user-friendliness and personalized workflow make both teaching and learning much easier and more efficient,” he added.

Working professionally; thinking creatively
The Objet Alaris30 printer provides students with an opportunity to use an up-to-date innovative component of modern integrated product design and development during their professional education. This allows them to become aware of the potential benefits of this technology before beginning work in their selected fields and promotes a higher level of professionalism.

The model material used by the Objet printer, and its high-resolution, thin-layer printing technology, together ensure high-quality models. This enables students to realize their 3D designs, giving them a real opportunity to easily visualize their creativity and enhance their enthusiasm for creation.

“The passion of creation is the essence of our students,” says Mr. Sun. “The Objet 3D printer has stimulated strong interest among our students, greatly encouraging them to try out their ideas. With lots of trials, modifications and creation, students are much more familiar with what they learned, which is beneficial to students as well as teachers.”