Students Develop Product Designs Using 3D Printing and CAD Software

At Emanuel-Felke-Gymnasium in Bad Sobernheim, eleventh-grade students in the visual arts course have been deeply engaged in product design and digital manufacturing. In collaboration with Technische Hochschule Bingen and as part of the MINTplus funding program, participants had the opportunity to create their own designs using modern CAD software and realize them as physical prototypes via 3D printing.

The project was supervised by art teacher Alexander Esters and physicist and CAD expert Tobias Pfaff from TH Bingen. The goal was to provide students with practical insights into digital design methods and additive manufacturing. By combining art and technology, the initiative aimed to connect students’ creative skills with the technical requirements of product design. Using CAD software, they learned how to develop, optimize, and prepare digital models for printing. They then used 3D printers to bring their designs to life and directly test the functional aspects of their creations.

The MINTplus funding enabled the school to integrate modern technologies into the curriculum. Beyond the creative aspects, the project provided students with an in-depth understanding of technical processes, materials science, and digital manufacturing techniques. This hands-on approach not only enhanced their understanding of the intersection between design and functionality but also introduced them to fundamental concepts relevant to engineering, architecture, and industrial design.

The project demonstrates how interdisciplinary collaboration between schools and universities can help integrate digital technologies into education at an early stage. Students gained valuable insights into modern manufacturing techniques and were able to independently execute their designs, from digital models to finished prototypes. TH Bingen provided technical expertise, ensuring a practical introduction to digital product development.