Laboratory Assistant
Spring 2023
Spring 2023
During my last semester of grad school, I was a laboratory assistant for a graduate-level additive manufacturing class. When I had taken the course, my previous experiences with 3D printing combined with my enthusiasm for the topic made me stand out to the TA and professor. The thing I missed most from my undergrad was the Forge, a makerspace where I spent my time volunteering to teach students about prototyping and how to use machines, so I was thrilled when I was offered a position that would allow me to once again share my passion for 3D printing.
In preparation for the semester, I built four Creality Ender 3 printers, reorganized two labs, and devised a system to track machine usage. This allowed me to jump right into maintaining 12 FDM printers and 3 SLA printers as 50 students learned how to use and trouble shoot them while working on class assignments. Of the four projects assigned, I had the opportunity to design one myself (BU Magnet and Keychain) and aid the professor in creating another (Optimized Catapult Arm). The remaining projects were carried over from the previous semester, so I was still familiar with them even though I did not have a hand in planning them.
Software used throughout the semester: