Innovative 3D Printing Project Produces New Perch Product

In Bloomfield Hills High School’s Introduction to Engineering Design course, students explore engineering tools and learn how to apply the engineering design process to solve problems. This process requires students to use planning, documentation, and professional communication skills. Students also develop skills in technical representation and documentation through 3D computer modeling, using a computer-aided-design (CAD) application. 

During the first semester, students learn to design parts and create 3D models using proper engineering techniques, dimensioning, and drawing layout. For the end-of-semester project, engineering/business/computer science teacher Dave Zulkiewski asked students to design a product focusing on school spirit that could be sold at the school store. This product would be created using the school’s new multicolor 3D printer. Students investigated ideas and discussed them as a class. Suggestions ranged from keychains and challenge tokens to supply boxes and personalized sports bag tags. The engineering students then consulted with their peers in the School Store Operations class and after testing different prototypes, they selected Black Hawk keychains as their first product. The keychains are currently for sale at The Perch. 

Business teacher Dan Whitmire and Zulkiewski are excited to continue and expand the collaboration between their classes. Zulkiewski commented, “Our goal is to work with the school store in the coming year to find other products to produce and sell. We feel the integration of the two classes would bring together some interesting lessons and topics that will help students with careers in business, design, and customer service, just to name a few.” 

Students interested in business and/or engineering principles, processes, and design are encouraged to explore course offerings in the BHHS Course Description Book and to review the new BHHS Professional Studies online folder, specifically, the Business, Entrepreneurship, Engineering, and Technology Pathway.