Digital Fabrication of Mathematical Models via Low-Cost 3D FDM Desktop Printer

Abstract

Additive manufacturing technology is developed throughout the 1980's and 1990's. This technology makes the realization of mathematical models much easier. The challenge focused is here to fabricate real objects from very complex mathematical models by using a low-cost 3D fused deposition modeling desktop printer. Thus this brings the intangible mathematical expressions to life. In this study it is illustrated that complex mathematical expressions are not only numbers and symbols but also they are real life objects. In the examples, some mathematical functions such as Möbius strip, Schwartz functions and their boundary conditions are introduced and then digitally fabricated. This work shows that how complex functional mathematical models that cannot be manufactured with classical engineering methods or very difficult to produce can be fabricated by using a 3D FDM desktop printer.

Teaching math modeling through 3D‐printing: Examining the influence of an integrative professional development

“…3D printing has made the realization of mathematical models easier than ever, and it helps bring intangible mathematical expressions to life. These 3D printed mathematical models are important for hands-on learning and can also be used as functional prototypes (Gür, 2015). Additionally, 3D modeling software allows students to design things they could not create without the program.…”

“…Although 3D printing technology is a powerful tool that can promote I‐STEM, the research on the integration of mathematical modeling and 3D printing is limited. Using technologies like 3D printing to apply mathematical modeling concepts enables students and teachers to utilize and improve their mathematical abilities and skills (Gür, 2015). Therefore, this study examined how the integration of 3D printing, an emerging technological tool, influenced educators’ teaching and learning of mathematical modeling practices through an integrative professional development (PD) workshop.…”

“…The use of 3D printing technology in schools may also provide an effective method for exploring modeling in a more realistic context; and can be used as the basis for students' mathematical modeling experiences. This evolving technology makes the realization of intangible mathematical expressions much easier by creating tangible representations that were not possible using traditional subtractive manufacturing technologies (Gür, 2015). Although 3D printing technology is a powerful tool that can promote I-STEM, the research on the integration of mathematical modeling and 3D printing is limited.…”

State of the art on stylized fabrication

“…Some researchers have started to use 3D printing techniques for this purpose [KS13,Gür15], but the possibilities are still largely unexplored. It has to be noted that in the classical models, various solutions were adopted to portray specific mathematical characteristics and properties of the surfaces, such as parametric isolines, straight lines embedded in the surfaces, and singularities.…”

State of the Art on Stylized Fabrication

“…Some researchers have started to use 3D printing techniques for this purpose [KS13, Gür15], but the possibilities are still largely unexplored. It has to be noted that in the classical models, various solutions were adopted to portray specific mathematical characteristics and properties of the surfaces, such as parametric isolines, straight lines embedded in the surfaces and singularities.…”