At most college libraries, students print things like worksheets, notes and term papers.
But at Indiana University Southeast, they may also print parts for a shiny, full-body ‘Iron Man’ suit, like computer science student Laura Rich did at the school’s newly opened MakerSpace 3D printing lab.
Rich built the costume herself, and used the printers for detail pieces, like the round, red-plastic disc that slowly took shape last week in one of the lab’s two MakerBot Replicator 3D printers, installed this fall for use by students, faculty and staff.
The ability to design and almost instantly create is the “strength” of 3D printing, said IUS informatics professor Chris Kimmer.
When students have an idea, “not only can they conceive of it in their mind, but at the end of the day, they can hold it in their hand,” said Kimmer, who helped establish the lab with computer science professor John…
