Case Study: Norwich University achieves durable, waterproof 3D-printed production parts for its competition AUV with 3D Systems

3D Printed Parts Drive Norwich University's Underwater Competition Vehicle

Norwich University’s Bot Rodders — a team of mechanical and computer engineering students at the U.S.’s first private military college — built Poseidon, a competition-class autonomous underwater vehicle after winning a NASA grant. Their challenge was to rapidly and affordably produce a reliable, intelligent AUV capable of autonomous vision, navigation and mission tasks for the International AUV Competition.

Instead of time-consuming machine-shop work, the team designed parts in KeyCreator and used a ZPrinter 310 to 3D print more than a dozen production components (sealed with epoxy for waterproofing), including motor mounts, sonar pods and end caps. The approach cut several months of manufacturing time, saved over $5,000, and gave students hands-on experience with advanced manufacturing while producing durable parts suitable for competition use.

Norwich University

Blake Shaffer

Mech. Engineering Major