<p>I've been asked to come up with a grant proposal for a new 3D printer. My question is:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>What supporting components and training would be most beneficial to support educational use in a K-8 school? In other words what things am I missing in my list below? </p>
</blockquote>

<p>Specific suggestions for things on my list that I may not have thought of are welcome too. A specific tool, etc.</p>

<p>The suggestion was to include a base proposal with stretch goals that include everything needed. </p>

<p>My current ideas are:</p>

<ul>
<li>3D Printer - option of a Prusa Mk3 or a Railcore 300ZLT. Possibly add another Prusa Mk3 kit as a stretch goal for students to assemble.</li>
<li>Replacement and optional parts such as a hardened nozzle.</li>
<li>Training and professional development</li>
<li>Filament - a variety of kinds such as PLA, ABS, flexible, conductive, etc.</li>
<li>Dry box or supplies to make one.</li>
<li>HEPA filter.</li>
<li>Enclosure - heated and/or soundproofed.</li>
<li>Maintenance tools or supplies. Lubricant, etc.</li>
</ul>

[{'answer_id': 8567, 'author': 'The Thrifty Engineer', 'author_id': 6287, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/6287', 'pm_score': 2, 'selected': False, 'text': '<p>Typically the black pigments in polymers are mineral based. If you are having true WiFi issues then it sounds like your filiment is using black iron oxide also called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetite" rel="nofollow noreferrer">magnetite</a> for the black pigment. This is the same material they use in radar absorbing paints which would make sense as to why you are having radio related issues.</p>\n'}, {'answer_id': 8576, 'author': 'Kjell', 'author_id': 14969, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/14969', 'pm_score': 2, 'selected': False, 'text': '<p>It could be several problems</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Shielding from the material</li>\n<li>Heat</li>\n<li>Mechanical load from the casing</li>\n<li>A metal screw next to the antenna</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>To learn more about the problem, comparing different configurations is the only way to got (As you guessed, it might be shielding, so you could see how the same shape works when printed in white PLA).  Since comparing wifi signals is very prone to random changes, it is important to get better information than "random drops". Signal strength is a much better indicator.</p>\n\n<p>A wifi signal test is shown here, comparing a bare PI with one in a aluminum case\n<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26OxCwEHoTk" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26OxCwEHoTk</a>\nIndeed the aluminum case reduces the signal strength, as it was to expect.</p>\n\n<p>For a faster comparison you can use the command \'iwconfig\'. It usually shows a signal strength (Tx-Power)</p>\n\n<pre><code>&gt; iwconfig\nwlp4s0    IEEE 802.11  ESSID:off/any  \n      Mode:Managed  Access Point: Not-Associated   Tx-Power=20 dBm   \n      Retry short limit:7   RTS thr=2347 B   Fragment thr:off\n      Power Management:off\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>A possible workaround might be to add an external antenna. The raspberry pi actually has solder points to add an antenna connector.\n<a href="https://www.mictronics.de/2017/10/raspberry-pi-3-with-external-antenna/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.mictronics.de/2017/10/raspberry-pi-3-with-external-antenna/</a></p>\n\n<p>However it might be simpler to produce several iterations of casings and compare the signal strength, depending on availability to SMD soldering.</p>\n'}]
['https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/8577', 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com', 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/13841/']