NORFOLK, Va. - Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center's (MARMC) Fab Lab hosted Marines from Fort Lee's machinist school Jan.28.
The visiting Marines, set to graduate next month, requested to visit MARMC's Fab Lab before graduation.
"This was a pretty cool opportunity for us," said Fab Lab Project Officer Lt. Todd Coursey. "We as Navy Sailors deploy with the Marines. The Marines are starting to latch onto additive manufacturing and this training is going to help them define their product."
MARMC Sailors trained the Marines on 3D rendering programs and showed them how to use Fab Lab's laser cutters, wood cutters and 3D printers.
"We gave them an opportunity to use our computers and equipment, and they quickly picked up the 3D program and started to create tools and solutions for their daily work life," said Coursey. "That is really what the fab lab is all about: using your imagination to create real work solutions."
The Marines left excited for what the future holds for them and the Marine Corps.
"We had an interest in additive manufacturing and with our proximity only being two hours away we came down to work with MARMC," said Gunnery Sgt. Carlos Lemus. "The goal is for us to collaborate with MARMC and show our students some of the tools that they may be using in the near future. As machinists, we can fabricate anything but this additive manufacturing adds a new dimension."
The Marine Corps expects to receive two fab labs in the near future.
"What I see coming out of the Fab Lab is a Marine opportunity to broaden his or her scope on their new skills as a machinist and that their true capabilities go beyond metal working," said Marine Ordnance School Director Maj. Michael Gasperini. "Also, it will give them skills to be thinking outside the box. As the Marine Ordnance School Director I see the equipment enhancing our curriculum for entry level students and it will enhance our future machinist course."
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