De Anza College’s Manufacturing and CNC Technology department will deploy its new FORTUS 250mc 3D Printer and Optix EScan 3D scanner in fall quarter 2014.

The technology will allow students to fabricate their creations quickly with minimal equipment set up time.

“There is a lot of “gee-whiz” stuff going on, but probably the most quick to come online would be in the area of Rapid Proto-typing,” said Paul Klingman, computer aided design instructor.

“This field is huge, going from medical devices and implants to R&D in automotive, aeronautical fields.”

Klingman said it is bound to make a large impact for the students.

3D printing and scanning is being adapted into major technological industries.

For students who are interested in breaking into the field, the 3D printer and scanner will give them great experience.

“By exposing our students at De Anza College to 3D printing, they will be looked upon more favorably by high-tech companies seeking to fill positions in their 3D printing facilities or a high-tech company gearing-up to jump into the 3D printing technology,” said Mike Appio, department head of manufacturing and CNC technology.

“They’ll be looking for individuals with some 3D printing background,” he said.

Appio said funding to purchase the 3D printer came from Measure C bond funds.

The money to operate the machine will come from the annual operations budget.

Many of the costs were reduced significantly because of the department’s close ties to the industry.