3D printer lab at UPEI open to public this summer

A new lab is being built at the University of Prince Edward Island for 3D printers.

University students are using the lab now but design technician Jeff Bowser says the plan is to open it to the public in a few months. 

• How exactly does 3D printing work?
• Will 3D printers, bioprinters change the future of surgery?
• 3D printing's 'incomprehensible' beauty on display in Toronto

"Well, the hope is to kind of have a place where people can immerse themselves in this kind of high-tech sort of thing," said Bowser. 

The technology allows people to make three dimensional objects in a matter of minutes.

"There's not many other places where people can you know, go and have access to these kind of things," said Bowser. 

"We have 3D printers, 3D scanners, laser cutters, CNC machines, that kind of stuff. So it's things that people aren't normally immersed in." 

Bowser said they plan to offer children's workshops. The lab could also be used to help inventors and business owners create prototypes.

The funding for the 3D printers came from ACOA, Innovation PEI and UPEI. 

The printers range in cost from $2,000 to $200,000.