Llamas and 3D printers: how does the "Prusa Research Centre" in Prague look like?

October 13, 2022

It's hard to believe (or maybe not) that where some of Europe's most popular 3D printers are born, the "Prusa Research" centre is also home to llamas and sheep, named after Josef Prusa and his fellows. In mid-September, the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) Creativity and Innovation Centre "LinkMenu fabrikas" team visited the European capital of 3D printers – Prague. During the Erasmus+ study visit, the team not only saw the "Prusa Research" Innovation Lab but also attended the "Maker Faire Prague" 2022, a festival dedicated to makers across Europe. 

A day at the "Prusa Research" Innovation Lab with Josef Prusa himself

"Prusa Research” is a 3D printer company founded by Czech hobbyist, inventor and developer Josef Prusa. Starting with the idea of 3D printers in 2012, Josef Prusa now has more than 700 employees and sends more than 9000 printers worldwide every month directly from his headquarters in Prague.

"At "LinkMenu Fabrikas", we teach students to work and prototype with Prusa 3D printers. So it was interesting to learn about the production line and the most frequent challenges the company faces," says Rokas Bagdonas, robotics and mechatronics specialist at VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenu Fabrikas".

During the visit, the participants consulted about how universities and schools could use Prusa 3D printers for laboratory and practical work. 

As R. Bagdonas says, the most fun part of the day was an unexpected and unplanned meeting with Josef Prusa. Even the meeting location was extraordinary – his llama and sheep reservoir, right next to "Prusa Research" leading innovator incubator. 

A "Maker Faire Prague" 2022 with more than 140 innovative projects

It goes without saying that the "LinkMenu fabrikas" team got some inspiration and ideas for future projects by participating in the makers' festival. But they also saw some of "Prusa Research" novelties – the latest Prusa 3D printer and the next-generation Prusa Pro AFS (Automated Farm System) printing farm.

"Prusa's latest print farm features 34 new original Prusa CoreXY 3D printers, automated print pick-up and output. The management of such a 3D printer farm is based on a system controlled by autonomous control algorithms," says R.Bagdonas.

In addition to the projects mentioned above, other innovative installations were also on display at the fair, including "Fluidum", – an intelligent mirror installation shown for the first time in Europe. This installation came straight from "EXPO 2020". Created at Prusa Lab, "Fluidum" steals an image of reality and breaks it into individual fragments using a jigsaw of moving mirrors. 

The fair also showcased the Dutch installation called "Algorithmic Perfumery", the world's first artificial intelligence-based perfume creation platform, and even a 3D-printed underwater drone.

According to the VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenų fabrikas" team, this Erasmus+ learning visit was genuinely memorable: from the unexpected meeting with 3D printer designer Josef Prusa to the eye-catching maker installations.
 

 

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New doctoral dissertation
New doctoral dissertation
VILNIUS TECH Library invites you to follow the published new dissertations. The dissertation „Resistance of technological waste-modified concrete to freeze–thaw cycles and alkaline corrosion“  („Technologinėmis atliekomis modifikuoto betono atsparumas užšaldymo ir atšildymo ciklams bei šarminei korozijai“) prepared at VILNIUS TECH by Edvinas Pocius. The dissertation was prepared in 2021–2026. Scientific consultant – Prof. Dr Džigita Nagrockienė. The dissertation was defended at the public meeting of the Dissertation Defence Council of the Scientific Field of Materials Engineering in the Aula Doctoralis Meeting Hall of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University at 10 a.m. on 8 June 2026. The dissertation investigates concrete modified with glass processing waste, concrete sludge, and a crystallizing additive. The goal is to develop concrete that is resistant to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction (ASR) by replacing part of the cement with glass waste and sand with concrete sludge. By selecting the optimal amount of technological waste, the aim is to improve the basic properties of concrete while maintaining its resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction. The tasks addressed in the work include the analysis of glass processing waste and concrete sludge, evaluating their impact on the properties of the cement paste. After determining the recommended waste content, the physical and mechanical properties of the modified concrete are investigated, focusing on resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction. This research sequence aims to substantiate the basic properties and resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction of the newly developed material. The dissertation consists of an introduction, three chapters, general conclusions, a list of references, a list of the author‘s scientific publications, and a summary in English. The Introduction discusses the research problem and relevance, describes the object of research, formulates the aim and tasks, and outlines the research methodology, scientific novelty, practical significance, and statements for defence. The First Chapter discusses active mineral substances, their formation and use in concrete production. It discusses the generation of concrete sludge and glass waste, as well as the impact of their use on the physical and mechanical properties and durability of concrete. The durability of waste-modified concrete and the assessment of carbon dioxide emissions are also described. Conclusions are formulated, and the objectives of the dissertation are refined at the end of the chapter. The Second Chapter presents the materials used, their properties, and their formation. It describes the research methods and equipment chosen to investigate the structure and properties of the concrete and to calculate its CO2 emissions. The Third Chapter substantiates recommended dosages of glass waste and concrete sludge and their effects on cementitious systems. Glass waste was found suitable for cement replacement, and dry sludge for fine aggregate. An environmental impact assessment was also performed. Five scientific articles were published on the dissertation topic in the Web of Science database, Science Citation Index Expanded, peer-reviewed publications with a citation index. Doctoral dissertation readers can search via VILNIUS TECH Virtual Library.
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