The Glen Art Theater is one of the most recognizable presences in the landscape of downtown Glen Ellyn, and now the 1920s-era building has been immortalized in gold filament by a middle school student whose replica won a prize in a 3D printing contest sponsored by the public library.
Beckham Ytterdahl’s entry took the “most complex’ prize for middle school-age entries.
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“It was a really impressive design,” said Christina Keasler, middle school librarian at the Glen Ellyn Public Library. “Seeing that type of caliber of design from a middle school student was particularly impressive.”
The first 3D printing contest received about 15 entries with winners announced in December. Middle school student Evan Stevens won for most creative for his Freddy Fazbear design; Andrew Park won most creative in grades three to five for a space ship, and Beau Bixler won most complex for a military planetary base design. Will Roberts won best overall for his bird design in the high school category and Erin Kuhl won most creative for her shuttle design and Gail Jo Kelley won most complex for her PicTel design in the adult category.
The contestants presented their designs, which were then printed using the library’s 3D printer. The winning designs were printed a second time in the special gold filament the library purchased for the contest. Beckham’s complex Glen Art Theater design took about six hours to print, Keasler said.
The contest highlighted the library’s 3D printer and 3D printing classes it offers. The winning designs are on display through the end of the month in the youth section of the library.
Several patrons regularly bring in 3D design files to be printed in layers of plastic filament, Keasler said. Common designs include keychains, animals and buildings. Printing time ranges from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the size of the item. Contestant Robert Dieter Jr., 13, has used the printer to make components for a printer he built at home, she said.
A second 3D printer is expected at the library by the end of the month, Keasler said.
Alex Keown is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.