Junior Justin Nesselrotte, a computer science major from Little Rock, Ark., has built what many consider to be a hot commodity in the industrial world today: a working 3D printer.
“I got into computer programming in about sixth or seventh grade, so I’ve been doing this for awhile,” Nesselrotte said. “I remember reading about this new technology called 3D printers in seventh grade. I basically became obsessed with it.”
Nesselrotte is a McNair Scholar, a program that works with undergraduate students in order to get them into grad school, according to the Harding University McNair Program documentation. Nesselrotte said he asked Rich Wells, assistant professor of engineering, to be his adviser in the McNair Scholar Program.
“Justin sought me out to learn more about the 3D printer we have in the engineering department,” Wells said. “On his own initiative, he would periodically stop by the office and discuss various mechanical and electrical aspects of 3D printing technologies. Early discussions focused on Justin’s plan to design and fabricate his own printer based on multiple open-source designs available. Recently, he asked me to be his adviser in the McNair Scholar Program, in which he (was) developing the software and firmware for a new 3D printer being developed by a private company.”
Nesselrotte said he built his printer, which he has affectionately named Jasmine, in only a month. He said it cost him a little over $1,000.
“I got an internship with Potomac Fusion, which provided me with the income I needed to build Jasmine,” Nesselrotte said.
Nesselrotte said that while building the printer, he utilized pieces that were created by the printer itself, essentially printing upgrades to the machine while building it.
“I print in the same material as LEGOs,” Nesselrotte said. “It’s called ABS plastic.”
Wells said that the market for 3D printing technology is booming.
“3D printers can produce … dental crowns, human skeletal replacements, new tissue cell growth and several industrial and consumer products,” Wells said. “Some aircraft jet engine parts are now fabricated from metal produced by 3D printers. NASA is developing 3D printers to build repair parts on the International Space Station.”
Nesselrotte said he is now working a new project: a powder-based 3D printer.
“To explain the difference, Jasmine is like a hot glue gun, only with plastic,” Nesselrotte said. “A powder-based printer will compress objects into the desired shape.”
Wells said he has high hopes for someone with Nesselrotte’s talent and capabilities.
“Justin’s passion for self-learning software technologies will impress prospective employers in the 3D printing market and others,” Wells said.
