When Jared and I proposed purchasing a 3D printer for Lawton Public Schools’ Transportation Department, we had some specific projects in mind. We wanted to explore whether we could use 3D printing to make replacement parts for our buses, create customized tools for our maintenance shop, and ultimately save the district money.

Six months after receiving the printer, we are still experimenting and learning. What we originally thought would be a useful tool for making a few replacement parts has turned into something with far more possibilities than we anticipated.

I received a grant from the Lawton Public School Foundation to purchase a Bambu Lab H25 3D printer and filament materials. In my grant application, I envisioned using the printer to manufacture replacement transportation parts and customized tools that could improve bus performance, increase efficiency in our shop, and reduce costs.

Since the printer arrived, Jared and I have been identifying standard bus components that could potentially be printed. We have also been looking at maintenance tools and other items that can be designed and created specifically for our needs. Some of our projects have included brackets, knobs, screws, door pullers, fan motor casings, and, most recently, hinges for bus doors.

One of the first things Jared began making was plastic screws that can be used to hold hardware mounts and other items in place. We can purchase an entire bag of these screws commercially, but we can also make them ourselves for approximately eight cents each. That difference may seem small, but when we begin looking at the number of items we use throughout the district, those savings can add up.

We have also experimented with knobs and door pullers. Some are traditional designs, while others can be customized for specific needs. For example, we have looked at door pullers that can be operated with an arm for individuals who may not have full use of their hands.

Another especially rewarding area has been creating assistive devices and toys for students with special needs. These items can give students something to occupy their time while riding the bus to and from school and can be customized to meet individual needs.

The printer has also allowed us to solve specific maintenance problems. One example is a small fan motor casing that Jared created. That part is now being used on one of our LPS buses.

In the case of the fan motor casing, a vendor would have charged approximately $90 for the part. Jared was able to make it with our 3D printer for approximately $5, including the parts and materials.

One of the strongest arguments I made for purchasing the printer was the potential for long-term savings. If our Transportation Department can manufacture certain parts in-house ins