FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2014

For More Information:
Glenville State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115

GLENVILLE, WV - The Fine Arts Department at Glenville State College is keeping pace with technological trends with the addition of a 3D printer to its Graphics and Digital Media program. Assistant Professor of Art Chris Cosner announced recently that the program was able to acquire a fifth generation MakerBot Replicator printer through funding from the Glenville State College Foundation.

The new printer has an area of about 10 inches by 8 inches by 6 inches in which items can be created. The printer is capable of a myriad of outputs by layering polylactic acid (PLA) filaments onto a moveable platform. The filaments are deposited from a nozzle which is similar to a printer head on a traditional ink jet printer.

"We'll be able to use the printer for rapid prototyping, visualization, manufacturing, and many other things," said Cosner. He adds that students in the program will be able to use the 3D printer for design visualization, introduction to print-on-demand manufacturing, creative and artistic uses, design projects, and 3D modeling and printing techniques. "This new printer has the potential to be used on campus for everything from research projects to replacement parts," he added.

Students and faculty in the program have already made several test prints and are hoping to begin making their own original designs soon. The 3D printer joins a high-end Epson Stylus Pro 4900 large format professional 2D printer that was already in the arsenal of tools available to students in the program. It is used by the photography class as an important tool to demonstrate printing, proofing, and color reproduction techniques.

For more information about the 3D printer or the Graphics and Digital Media Program at GSC, contact Cosner at Christopher.Cosner@glenville.edu or (304) 462-6349.