A global distributor for engineers has made a very generous donation to our Academy.

RS Components has presented CBA with a state-of-the-art RS IdeaWerk FDM 3D Printer which retails at about £600.

The 3D Printer will be used by our Design Technology, Art and Textiles students.

RS Components Product Compliance Engineer Andrew Shorley said: “I am a great advocate of getting technology in front of people and I hope this 3D Printer will the inspire the students.

“3D printing technology is always changing so we hope to continue to provide the Academy with support in the future.”

CBA Teacher David Harley said: “We are very grateful to RS Components for this incredibly generous donation.

“This extra 3D Printer will enable our students to develop their projects and coursework independently.

“Students will be taught how to draw their project ideas using CAD software such as Pro Desktop or Sketch up.

“If they can draw it they can print - this is the reality of 3D printing. Our students will develop their designs in the same way that designs are developed and realised in industry and this will increase their confidence and skill set.

“Students will be able to design and print unique components for their projects such as hinges, knobs, storage draws, brackets, cases and speaker housing.”

In the past our students have used 3D printing for a number of projects, including creating iPod docking stations, a rocket shaped desk tidy, spinning tops and cable clips.

(Pictured above are RS Components Product Compliance Engineer Andrew Shorley, with CBA Year 9 students Melissa Walker and Jessica Gibbons, teacher David Harley and our new 3D Printer)