Members of the Pearce Lab at Michigan Technological University have been offering teacher workshops on the assembly of a delta RepRap 3D printer named Athena 2014. Participant teaching levels range from K-12 through university, and everyone walks away with a printer. Every aspect of Athena is open source. The frame can be constructed from plywood, and the printer can replicate all of its plastic parts. Athena can print designs created in open source CAD programs, and has its own open source interface named Franklin. Parts for the printer can be accessed locally, and "build" instructions are online. Operating costs include filament, glue sticks, and electricity. That's it! The Michigan Tech mentors feel the Athena is one of the world's most easily assembled 3d printers. It can be built by an individual or by a class. Nothing to sell, no smoke, no mirrors! This is 3D printing at the grassroots!
