Florida Polytechnic, MakerBot Partner to Form RAD Makerspace

Desktop 3D printing company MakerBot has teamed up with Florida Polytechnic University to create and develop a Rapid Application Development (RAD) Makerspace equipped with a total of 60 3D printers and scanners.

Florida Polytechnic will purchase from MakerBot 40 Replicator Desktop 3D printers, five Replicator Mini 3D printers, five Replicator Z18 3D printers, five Replicator 2X Experimental 3D printers and five Digitizer Desktop 3D scanners.

The makerspace will open August 16, and is housed in Florida Polytechnic’s Innovation, Science and Technology building. MakerBot is to also provide training and assist with curriculum development.

“Having a RAD Makerspace on campus is providing the students, who will shape the future, with the technology they need to succeed today,” said Tom Hull, vice president and chief information officer at Florida Polytechnic. “3D printing has many possible applications in various fields, and our RAD Makerspace will inspire students as they explore, discover, innovate and create. Florida Poly encourages research applicable to the real world, and 3D printing is at the center of the product iteration and technological innovation process. We are hoping that students will be attracted to Florida Poly in part because of our RAD Makerspace along with our modern, integrated curriculum.”

For more information, visit MakerBot and Florida Polytechnic University.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.