News
3D Printing Workshop at S. Thomas’ College
By Capt. G.A. Fernando
Hony Secretary,
S. Thomas. College, Mount Lavinia, Old Boys’ Centenary Group.
3D printing is fast becoming a household name in modern usage. This is mainly due to the printers themselves becoming cheaper to purchase, and consumers realising the technology’s amazing capability to design and build components for art, science, biomedical and engineering applications, and much more.
This technology is transforming many industries by being able to customize for specific applications in industries such as construction, food, agriculture, fashion, hobbies, etc. Components can be designed and built at the site using recyclable material, thus reducing the requirement for shipping and logistics, while also benefiting from shorter lead times and reduced environmental impact.
3D printing consists of two primary activities, namely the design phase, and the printing phase. At the core of the first is 3D designing using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software and modeling. In the printing process, material in the 3D printer is deposited or solidified layer by layer according to the digital model created. This is achieved by controlling the feed rate of the material through a heated nozzle or precision head, ensuring it melts or solidifies at a controlled temperature.
The precise movement of the head along the X, Y and Z axes is managed by a computerised system with three motors, each allowing for accurate layering and creation of a three-dimensional shape. Diverse materials, including those that are wood-based, conductive, flexible and rigid, cater to a range of applications. In specialized fields such as the food industry, printers craft intricate icing designs on chocolates and cakes. In the automotive and aviation sectors, 3D printers are utilized to manufacture metal parts for applications demanding high standards of precision and reliability.
Vice President Eddie Appathurai of the S. Thomas’ College Old Boys’ Centenary Group awarding a Certificate to one of the participants
S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, with the guidance of the Warden and Sub-Warden, recently conducted a 3D printing workshop. The first venture of its kind in any school in Sri Lanka, this initiative aimed at introducing modern technology to students was proposed by Dr Chandika Wickramatillake, an Old Boy of the school, and financially supported by STC’s Centenary Group of Old Boys.
Two additional partners, a supplier, and an academic institution, combined resources to support and execute the program. They were Sri Lanka’s leading 3D printing company, ‘Thrimana’; and the Technology Department of the University of Colombo.
The two-day workshop was conducted at the Mt. Lavinia campus on 15th and 16th September 2023, with 22 college students from grades 7 to 11 registered for the program. Students interested in this technology had little or no understanding of and proficiency in the subject to begin with, nor knowledge of the physical printing techniques involved in converting the ‘raw’ material to a component, from a design.
Many printers and high-speed computers were set up by Thrimana. Students were divided into groups of four or five, with two 3D printing expert technicians allocated to each team to support knowledge-sharing, provide detailed explanations, and offer hands-on practical support during sessions.
The first day’s morning session consisted of learning basic 3D printing technology from the University of Colombo lecturer. In the afternoon, students began using the 3D design software to make small components such as chess pieces and pen holders.
On the second day, students progressed to designing components for a self-guiding vehicle, with electronic components and sensors provided by Thrimana. Next, attendees started building and testing the vehicle with their well-designed wheels, chassis parts, etc, completing the build in time to participate in a competition.
Five teams then challenged each other to have their vehicles travel accurately on a self-guided path, as well as a straight, high-speed track. The team named ‘Cyber Designers’ won the overall competition. All students were rewarded for their participation with a 3D model and an academic certificate from the University of Colombo.
The overall expectation was to equip these budding innovators with foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in this cutting-edge technology. It is hoped that the workshop, and others like it, will fulfill their goal of inspiring a new generation of designers, engineers and visionaries to play a pivotal role in shaping future of technology in Sri Lanka.
Latest News
Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 27 April 2025, valid for 28 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Latest News
People have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans sans ethnic or religious divisions- PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that for the first time in history, mosques in Kandy had opened their doors to accommodate the needs of devotees visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and that people have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans beyond dividing into ethnicities and religions.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held in the Paragahadeniya area in Kurunegala.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:
“This country is undergoing a transformation we expected,so accordingly, we must operate in new ways. People are beginning to feel that we must work towards a new transformation. We can see this change even within our ministries. These days, sometimes when we visit ministries even after 5 PM, and ask if it is possible to have discussions, the officials are always open. Today, public officials are willing to work late into the night, until 9 or 10 PM. Officials have now started working without fear.
Remarkably, for the first time in history, Muslim mosques in Kandy remained open throughout the night to accommodate pilgrims visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. They even provided space for devotees to rest. There were no ethnic or religious tensions. What we saw was respect for other ethnicities and religions. This is happening because there is now a sense of a government that represents all Sri Lankan people, not just Sinhalese, Muslims, or Tamils”.
The event was attended by the candidates for the local government election including the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has urged the NPP government to prevent Japan’s Onomichi Dockyard Company from selling its 51% ownership stake in the Colombo Dockyard Limited (CDL) to Indian government-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai, a leading shipbuilder.
FSP spokesman Pubudu Jayagoda told The Island yesterday (27) that the move seemed to be in line with the overall India-Sri Lanka understanding on the basis of the recently signed memorandum on defence cooperation.
Against the backdrop of deteriorating financial situation, the Japanese company has informed the board of directors of CDL of its plans to divest its 51 percent ownership stake in the international shipbuilding and repair company. The Japanese shipbuilder made the announcement in early Dec last year.
Alleging that an agreement has been reached on the sale of Onomichi’s controlling ownership stake to the Indian ship builder, Jayagoda questioned
the move as Mazagon primarily built a range of warships and attack submarines. Jayagoda pointed out that according to Mazagon’s profile, the Indian government-owned business undertaking was involved with European companies engaged in ship and submarine construction.
Addressing a Local Government election meeting at Weeraketiya, Pallekanda, in support of those contesting the May 6 election on the ticket of Jana Aragala Sandhanaya (JAS), the executive committee member of JAS Jayagoda emphasized that in terms of the agreement between Sri Lanka and Japan, Onomichi couldn’t sell its stake without the Sri Lankan government’s approval. Therefore, the NPP government should intervene to halt the Japanese-Indian move, the FSP spokesman said while urging the parliamentary opposition to publicly oppose the planned sale of the Japanese stake.
Among other stakeholders are Sri Lanka Insurance, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and EPF.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts
People have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans sans ethnic or religious divisions- PM
Heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Vavuniya, Mullaittivu and Kurunegala districts.
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