The second term of Mechanical Engineering Practice Workstation at SITI began recently and the opening ceremony was held with attendance and lectures by Prof. Changsheng Liu, CAS member and vice president of East China University of Science and Technology, Ms. Li Zhu, analyst of 3D Science Valley. Dr. Weimin Zhou, Director of the workstation, relevant cadres from Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology, Municipal Science Promotion Center, SITI, and practice bases as well as more than 50 senior high students participated the event.

During the event, the organizer presented with several showcases to the students about the 3D printing principles, methods and materials, as well as the 3D printing technologies that have been applied to the industries, its industrial values and its promising future in the space and aeronautics industry. After the interesting lectures, the students visited the workstation where tens of 3D printers from desktop to large scale with a wide range of printing materials including ceramic, plaster and metals, and got a better understanding of 3D printing technologies. In the future, the workstation will combine 3D printing technologies with science, technology, mathematics, art and engineering with versatile theme designing so as to stimulate the creativity and capability of the students.

In 2016, the workstations for “Shanghai Youth Scientific Innovation Practice” was initiated by Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and Science and Technology Commission by integrating various resources from universities and research institutes. The Mechanical Engineering Practice Workstation at SITI is one of the 25 workstations and carried out 3D printing innovation courses for the students to know more about the advanced manufacturing technologies with the aim to stimulate students’ innovation interest and commitment. During the first term, the students independently accomplished some research projects under the guidance of their