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3D Printing Workshop at S. Thomas’ College

Published

2 years ago

2023/12/5

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.

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PM on inspection tour of newly renovated Colombo Central Bus Stand

Published

10 hours ago

2026/04/10

Priyan

The Colombo Central Bus Stand, which has a history of over six decades and had remained without a proper maintenance for many years, has now been renovated under the current government’s development programme and vested to the public. Following that, the Prime Minister undertook an inspection tour of the newly renovated Colombo Central Bus Stand.

Originally constructed in 1964, the bus stand was refurbished with modern facilities to meet current needs and was officially reopened to the public on April 8. The primary objective of this initiative is to provide passengers with a higher-quality and more comfortable transportation service.

During the renovation process, special attention has been given to the comfort and safety of women, which was commended by the Prime Minister. In particular, a modern rest area designed to ensure privacy for nursing mothers travelling from distant areas received special praise.

The Prime Minister also reviewed the newly introduced passenger seat reservation system and information services established to assist commuters. In addition, the modern surveillance unit and other security measures installed within the premises to ensure passenger safety were also inspected.

During the visit, the Prime Minister engaged in conversations with passengers at the bus stand and inquired about their views on the newly renovated facilities and the quality of transport services.

It was emphasized that the government’s objective is to transform public transportation into a safe, technologically advanced service that can be used with convenience by all citizens.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

Latest News

Sun directly overhead Nagawilluwa, Galgamuwa, Sigiriya, Palugasdamana and Mankerni about 12:11 noon today (10)

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/10

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from the 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (10th) are Nagawilluwa, Galgamuwa, Sigiriya, Palugasdamana and Mankerni about 12:11 noon.

News

Opposition tells Minister Kumara Jayakody to resign

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/10

Thilina Walpola

Prof. Peiris

No-faith motion to be taken up today

Former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (9) said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should remove Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody unless the minister stepped down on his own.Prof. Peiris, addressing a press conference called by the Opposition, said that Jayakody couldn’t under any circumstance continue to serve as a minister after the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) moved the Colombo High Court against the government member over a previous financial scandal.

Pointing out that Minister Jayakody had been indicted of a corrupt deal struck during the yahapalana regime, Prof. Peiris said it was wrong for the NPP to retain him as a minister, claiming that the offence was not committed during his tenure as a Cabinet minister in the current government.

Prof. Peiris and several other Opposition members dealt with the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against Jayakody that would be taken up today (10) with the academic calling the vote an acid test for the NPP. Having campaigned on an anti-corruption platform at presidential and parliamentary polls, the NPP couldn’t protect Jayakody though he was widely believed to be close to President Dissanayake.

As the Manager of the Procurement and Import Division of the Ceylon Fertilizer Company, Jayakody is alleged to have committed the offence of corruption, according to CIABOC.

Jayakody has been accused of causing a loss of Rs. 8,859,708 to the State by influencing and exploiting the procurement process.

Following the serving of indictments on 27 March, the judge ordered Jayakody’s release on two personal bail bonds of Rs. 1 million each. The court directed that the defendant’s fingerprints be obtained and a formal report be submitted. The case has been scheduled for a pre-trial conference on 6 May.

Prof. Peiris stressed that the CIABOC action against Jayakody is central to the NCM primarily moved over the irregularities ridden coal procurement process launched in 2025 that caused severe disruption to the power generation. Responding to The Island query after the media briefing, Prof Peiris expressed surprise that the JVP/NPP accommodated a person under investigation by the CIABOC. Having taken an utterly irresponsible decision, the JVP/NPP were now playing down the developing issue, prof. Peiris said.

The entire government parliamentary group faced the prospect of having its image tarnished by defending Jayakody, the former lawmaker said.

Prof. Peiris said that they intended to build a campaign around the issues involving the energy minister to expose the government. With yet another electricity tariff hike in the offing due to the growing demand for thermal generation as a result of coal-fired Lakvijaya power plant’s failure to meet the requirement[RA1] , the energy minister and ministry’s performances have to be examined, Prof. Peiris said.The timely release of the Auditor General’s report on controversial coal procurement should compel the government to decide on the energy minister’s fate or be prepared to face the fallout.

By Shamindra Ferdinando