3D PRINTING: FROM AN IDEA TO A PHYSICAL MODEL

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze current trends in the formation of future specialists' skills in design and implementation of 3D printing and 3D modeling as an important component of the modern educational process in professional pre-higher and higher education institutions. It is determined that developing students' competence to implement 3D printing from an idea to a physical model makes the educational process attractive, forms the professional identity of future specialists, and promotes their competitiveness in the modern labor market. The article addresses effective interactive methods of organizing students' learning during the process of mastering 3D modeling technology.

The authors examine the principles of creating spatial models and their use in various sectors of the economy. The article also analyzes the sequence of model construction for editing and subsequent use. The authors highlight innovative methods and approaches in students' preparation for the effective acquisition of educational 3D printing and 3D modeling material to form the necessary professional competencies. It is found that students' involvement in 3D modeling is due to urgent tasks in the context of the reformation of the Ukrainian professional pre-higher education system, and the increasing popularity of three-dimensional printing technologies in modern industrial enterprises, in the field of ecology, modern medicine, etc. The authors give an overview of 3D printing technology, covering manufacturing methods, necessary materials, and practical aspects of use. Special attention is paid to the creation of digital 3D models using TINKERCAD and AI services. The approaches for 3D model generation using Text-to-CAD and Image-to-CAD services are demonstrated, and online services for preparation and converting images to the STL format are substantiated. Moreover, the authors discuss the importance of preparing 3D models for printing, including slicing, testing, and export; the 3D printing process that contributes to more thorough acquisition of the educational material by students and the development of appropriate competencies.