Case Study: University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten achieves rapid production of a fully functional self-balancing scooter with Stratasys

3D Printing Gives Students Real-World Experience Creating Self-Balancing Scooter

The University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten tasked its mechanical engineering department and students with developing a first-of-its-kind self-balancing scooter but encountered a major manufacturing challenge: the organically shaped frame that houses the motor and electronics was too complex for subtractive methods and traditional processes were too slow. The team turned to Stratasys additive technologies — including Fortus 900mc with FDM Nylon 6 and multi-material printing on the Connex3 with Agilus30 — to overcome those constraints.

Stratasys’ 3D printing solution enabled the production of large, one‑piece functional frames and a rubber-like platform cover, giving students greater design freedom and customization. The vendor’s technology cut the manufacturing phase from roughly three weeks to four days, produced fully functional prototypes faster, and accelerated the overall development cycle—results that led the university to expand 3D printing across courses and attract greater industry interest.

University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten

Markus Till

Head of Mechanical Engineering