This Baby Yoda is not on the market, but it was designed by students in Somerset Community College’s Additive Manufacturing program.
I have always wanted to do a blog in my work at SOAR. Like most things, it was all about timing. A few months ago, I was invited to join a Kentucky delegation to the Netherlands with our Grassroots Partners at AppHarvest.
Perfect timing, huh?
Like most things, they change.
On Thursday, January 23, 2020, I joined our partners at Pike TV on a trip to Somerset Community College (SCC) to film its nationally-recognized Additive Manufacturing program. In 2013, through a National Science Foundation grant, SCC created Kentucky’s first technician certificate in 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing.
Additive Manufacturing is commonly referred to 3D printing. According to SCC’s Eric Wooldridge, a professional engineer who coordinates the college’s additive manufacturing program, this method of creating is estimated to be a $12 billion industry this year alone. With Kentucky’s strong ties to advanced manufacturing, specifically aerospace and automobile production, the state is poised to benefit from such advancements in 3D printing.
Companies are quickly doing research and development in additive manufacturing. They are doing this because of cost savings, reduction of supply chain issues, and advanced products they are now able to create using additive manufacturing technology that were once impossible using conventional manufacturing techniques.
Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?
Most of that I stole from a document the college gave me.
However, witnessing this firsthand was remarkable and mind-blowing
Let me elaborate on mind-blowing. Shortly after I arrived on site, Eric used his iPad to do a 3D image of my head. We continued the tour, and he told me he could make a 3D image of my head in marble composite.
I thought: That’s nice, but was he punking me?
After arriving home, Eric sent me a video with the text: Thought you would want to see yourself 3D printed. With that being said, I made a video, and I had a little fun with the music.
Learn more about SCC’s Additive Manufacturing Program HERE.
And I don’t own the rights to Chariots of Fire.
This is a seed pod created by organic seaweed polymers. The seed is placed on the top of this holder and dirt and water break down the seaweed over time thus turning the seaweed into fertilizer.