Afinia is always looking to improve the user experience for educators, which is why they asked for your feedback, and incorporated your suggestions into the new and improved H800+. The updated 3D printer includes: 

• Fully-enclosed system with HEPA filtration
• Fully-automated platform leveling and height sensing
• *WiFi Connectivity
• *Power loss print recovery and “out of filament” pause switch
• *Customizable nozzle and platform temperatures
• 30% faster
• Ultra-fine 100-micron print resolution
• One button filament color changing
• *Upgraded printhead and gantry system
• Smart support material technology
• Easy filament spool loading
  

*  New to the H800+

Award-Winning InnovationThe Afinia H800+ 3D printer won the RAPID 2015 Exhibitor Innovation Award, which recognizes the most innovative new products or services exhibited at RAPID that are judged to have the greatest potential impact on the industry. Afinia 3D was selected as the recipient by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers’ (SME) Rapid Technologies & Additive Manufacturing (RTAM) Committee.
TechZone 360 also chose the Afinia H800+ 3D Printer for their 2015 3D Printing Excellence Award, citing Afinia 3D as a leader within the 3D printing industry. The TechZone 360 3D Printing Excellence Award identifies products, services, and applications that are driving the growth and evolution of 3D Printing from niche market hype to mainstream reality.
Learn More
This printer boasts the largest print surface for large-format designs, and superior print resolution to similar 3D printers on the market. Download an updated spec sheet, or contact Moss for more information. 

Weigh in: will these improvements make a difference in your classroom? How will you incorporate this updated technology? 

​At the beginning of the academic year, you looked ahead, scheduled Professional Development days, worked hard to line up speakers and resources…. And you are noticing that participating is dwindling. Teachers are electing to stay in their classrooms to catch up on grading or reporting. Making the sessions mandatory improves this, but you haven’t had 100% participation in these sessions since early September.
 
As an administrator, you understand that developing your teachers is as important as supplying the correct classroom materials. Providing engaging PD sessions can have a measurable impact on teacher satisfaction (and ultimately student performance), as long as teachers are attending and benefiting from the resources you share. Teachers skip when they are over-committed with classroom duties, or don’t think the session will benefit them. We’ve compiled a few tips to help you make the most of your Professional Development time and dollars.

1. “The subject matter doesn’t pertain to my classroom.” Great PD transcends subject matter; English teachers can take tips they learn in STEM PD and apply it to their classrooms because it is about bringing subject matter to life. Great PD drives creativity, and helps teachers bring their subject matter to life for their students.
2. “The session is being put on by a teacher I work with every day.” If teachers aren’t sure if they would learn anything new from their closest peers, consider bringing in an expert. Pitsco Education supplies experts that will join you on site for half day, full day or two day PD sessions. Sessions are customizable – they can present on the subject matter of your choice. They are all classroom experts, and can provide a fresh perspective for all attendees.
3. “The session is on policies and procedures. It’s not developing me as a teacher.” Look, Policies and Procedures are important – we get it. But, if you are using PD time for subject matter that can be explained in an email, you’ll lose your audience. Keep topics relevant to enhancing the skills of your staff.
4. “Instead of feeding me information, I want to be engaged in the process.” So often, we forget to make PD sessions interactive. Teachers learn the same way their students do: by getting hands on and engaging. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make it effective. (Pitsco Education provides all supplies for PD sessions they offer, and provides memorable and engaging content.)
5. “We are learning to use equipment or technology that I will never use.” Are you looking to instruct teachers on how to use technology (like a zSpace or 3D printer)? If so, make it relevant to attendees – demonstrate how this technology could be used in their classroom. Not sure how to do this? Check out this blog post about the unlikely ways 3D printing is being used in classrooms for ideas!

 
​Making Professional Development engaging and worthwhile is a challenge most administrators face. We can help you make PD something that your teachers look forward to with Pitsco Professional Development. You don’t have to have a Pitsco STEM lab to benefit, either. No sales pitch – just great content for your teaching staff, tailored to your needs. PD sessions are standards based, so you can rest assured you are providing the right content at the right time.

​Whether you are building a Makerspace of Fab Lab, you have undoubtedly considered a CNC Router. CNC technology is a key component of fabrication, but the technology is as diverse as the applications. CNC equipment is designed to route, carve, drill, and engrave in wood, plastic, foam, aluminum and other materials for a wide range of applications.
 
CNC routers, plasma cutters and laser equipment make it easy and exciting for educators to prepare students for the technical manufacturing jobs of tomorrow. Students understand modern manufacturing challenges, turning design concepts into reality on industry standard equipment.
 
Choosing a CNC Router
When choosing a CNC Router, consider the following components:

• Quality: Economical and Technologically Advanced CNC Control Systems - Techno CNC’s high performance industrial quality CNC equipment enables students to learn on full scale production systems guaranteeing that they are well prepared for real-world applications upon entry into the workforce.
• Ease of Use: User-friendly, with a short learning curve - Techno CNC’s routers, plasmas cutters and laser equipment make it easy for educators to prepare students for the technical manufacturing jobs of tomorrow. Students can quickly and easily assimilate the new technology and how it can be applied to real world circumstances.
• Compatibility with available CAD/CAM Software - Open architecture that works with all industry standard software programs is essential. This enables educational institutes the flexibility to integrate their CNC’s throughout a variety of STEM electives and curriculums, such as manufacturing, architectural design, prototying, and pre-engineering.
• Curriculum: Learning with certified instructors - FANUC’s comprehensive curriculum teaches the critical aspects of CNC machine setup, operation and programming using industry-leading equipment and providing sufficient repetition to ensure effective learning.  Student certification requires passing both an academic and practical skills test to ensure competence. 
• System Integration - With FANUC’s Certified Education CNC Training program, students will first write, edit and proof programs using 3D solid model animation in NCGuide software running on a PC.  Using a USB memory stick, they then transfer the part program from NCGuide to the CNC on the machine either in the classroom and/or a workshop and then perform setup and testing.
• Resources: Tools and Resources make the difference – From live training, webinars, guides, and back-end support, it is important to choose a provider that will ensure you are successful in your classroom.

 
At Moss, we represent Techno CNC Systems, FANUC, and ez Router – we can provide options based on your program goals and budget considerations. Let us help  you develop your FabLab or Makerspace.
 
Tell us – what is the single biggest consideration you have when looking at CNC Routers? 

Are you looking for ideas on how to integrate 3D printing into your existing STEM curriculum? You're not alone! Project-based learning and 3D printing are pivotal avenues for teaching STEM subjects, engaging students on new levels, and preparing them for future careers. Afinia offers several 3D Printing STEM Kits, which support project-based learning in the classroom.

Each pack comes with student workbooks and a teacher’s guide to help you seamlessly integrate the projects into your curriculum.

Available STEM Kits include:

• Derby Dash - This is a great STEM project for teachers to further teaching on topics such as electric motors, gears, kinematics and basic principles of physics, such as the conservation of energy.
• Balance Bot - In this project, students get to design and build their own robot, while learning about servo and stepper motors. The science of simple machines is also a focus of this lesson.
• Spirobot - Enrich students’ understanding of robotics, mechanics, simple programming mathematics, and art. Students will use browser-based programming apps to direct the Spirobot.
• Heart Rate Watch - In this project students will design, print, and build their very own heart rate monitor. This project is great for further teaching on topics such as 2D drawings, electrical energy storage, voltage conversion and electronics.
• LED Digital Clock - In this project, students will design, print, and then build their very own LED digital clock. This is a great STEM project for teachers to do further teaching on topics such as time, temperature, LEDs, and electronics.
• Solar Battery Charger - In this project, students will design, print, and build their very own solar battery charger. This is a great STEM project for teachers to do further teaching on topics such as solar power, renewable energy, and electronics.
• USB Power Bank - In this project, you’ll learn about the basics of 2D drawings, interpreting 2D drawings, CAD modeling, 3D printing, and assembling electronic components. A great project to enhance lessons in electricity!
• M.I.R.A - 5 Axis Mini Industrial Robot Arm - Robotics and 3d printers are the fastest technologies used in education and research. MIRA is the ideal platform for teaching for teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) principles at all levels.
• Mini Boom Box - Turn up the music! Students can build a speaker that connects to their phone, MP3 player, or other portable device. This project is great for further teaching on topics such as sound and sound waves, amplifiers and speakers, circuit diagrams and electronics.
• Night Light - In this project, you’ll learn about the basics of design and development, following design requirements, market research, creating and developing concepts, CAD modeling, 3D printing, and assembly electronic components.

Integrating 3D printing into existing STEM programs is easy with these project-based units. Learn more - download this informational file today, or contact your Education Specialist for more information.