We took a look at a new educational 3D printer from the Tutolino Educational Network.
The project’s goal is to provide kit-style desktop 3D printers for schools. Currently the project operates in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, where they have equipment placed in 47 cities and over one hundred schools. They’ve also received an official certification for school use, which will certainly encourage more use by school authorities.
The 3D printer, shown at top, might look a bit familiar. It seems to be an ANET A8, and this is mentioned in their documentation:
“The schools receive the Anet A8 3D-printer as a kit, as well as various 3D-printed and mechanical add-on parts that greatly improve the function and handling of the printer.”
This is quite curious, because I had not heard from ANET for a considerable length of time and assumed they had ceased operations. However, it seems the company does have a website and is apparently still operating, including several new models. They still sell variants of the A8 machine.
Note that early versions of the A8 machine were notorious for starting fires. Several serious incidents occurred, but soon thereafter ANET rectified the problem with improved firmware. The A8’s used by Tutolino will certainly be safe for use.
In fact, Tutolino wrote:
“School safe. After thorough testing, the completely assembled printer received the V3 seal in Berlin according to the regulations of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGVU). After successful assembly and a passed inspection, this seal can also be attached in the school and thus certifies the printer as safe for school use!”
The machine has a build volume of 220 x 220 x 240 mm, has a heated print surface, and LCD display. It is able to print the basic materials, including PLA, ABS, PETG, etc.
Tutolino is not designing the 3D printer, but they are packaging it all up in a way that is conducive for learning by students. The basic concept is that by building the machine themselves, a class of students will become far more knowledgeable about 3D printers, and will be greatly interested to make parts with them.
Tutolino provides a complete kit for assembly, but also adds a tempered glass enclosure, key-lock door, charcoal air filters and more. You’ll also notice the angled rods in the image above, which were also added for print stability; the stock A8 does not include this feature. The entire package is sold to schools for €750 (US$830).
We were told they are also working on lesson plans, which will greatly add to the utility of the machines: once built the lesson plans will allow teachers to use them to build instructive objects.
The material is currently all in German, hence their current operating area. However, we were told they are “working on English versions”, so we might expect them to appear in other regions in the near future.
Via Tutelino
