Case Study: Lake Zurich High School achieves rapid, cost-saving, lighter prototyping with Stratasys 3D printing

Rapid Prototyping Helps Lake Zurich High School Student Make Their Designs Come Alive

Lake Zurich High School in Lake Zurich, Illinois faced limited ability to turn student CAD designs into physical prototypes for class projects and FIRST® robots—the school relied on expensive, slow machine-shop parts. Through a Bright Minds grant they received a Dimension BST 1200 (Dimension) 3D Printer from Stratasys, giving students direct access to additive manufacturing for classroom use.

Using the Stratasys Dimension 3D Printer, students quickly printed tough ABS prototypes from STL files with minimal cleanup, enabling same-day iteration and parts that could be used directly on robots. The Stratasys solution reduced part cost from about $200 to roughly $50, cut lead time from seven days to one day (a 6‑day/86% improvement), and lowered part weight from 16 oz to 6 oz (63% lighter), improving learning outcomes and competitive performance; the school purchased the printer after the grant.

Lake Zurich High School

John Keyzer

Technology Education