Contributing to the Appeal of Craftsmanship at Shizuoka University’s Techno Festa

11/28/2023　Corporate Activities, 3D Digital Fabrication

Shizuoka University’s Hamamatsu Campus (Engineering and Informatics faculties) hosted the Techno Festa on November 11 and 12, 2023. Continuing our participation from last year, Roland DG provided digital tools for the Faculty of Engineering’s fabrication workshop.

Concurrent research experience event with the Shizuoka University Campus Festival

Located in Hamamatsu City, Roland DG has many graduates on its staff from Shizuoka University. In 2022, we acquired naming rights for the refreshment space at the Faculty of Informatics which is popular with students and now known as the “Roland DG Lounge” (click here for further details).

Held simultaneously with the Shizuoka University Campus Festival in Hamamatsu, the Techno Festa is a popular annual event where children can experience research through workshops, experiments, and exhibits by the Faculties of Engineering and Informatics.

Workshop for students and children to create together

The laboratories of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, once again jointly organized the workshop to create one-of-a-kind keychains from favorite photos, which received high praise last year. Like the previous year, Roland DG provided five units of the MPX series photo impact printers, enabling easy imprinting of photos, illustrations, and text on metallic items. During the workshop, students from the laboratories guided the participants, creating designs based on their preferences.

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  Venue at Shizuoka University, Faculty of Engineering Building 1

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  Customized keychains imprinted with photos

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  Creating designs by inserting text into photos

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  Imprinting keychains with the MPX series photo impact printer

Parents and children, as well as high school students contemplating further education, participated in the workshop and were fascinated by watching designs being marked onto keychains. Some returned due to enjoying last year’s workshop, with children expressing, “It was so much fun making a keychain with a beautiful photo,” and parents noting, “I’m surprised by how well my child picked a fitting photo for the keychain.” Additionally, high school students shared, “It was refreshing and enjoyable to operate machines I don’t normally use.”

The workshop was run by Associate Professor Hiroo Shizuka (2nd from right in the back row), Professor Katsuhiko Sakai (1st from right in the back row), and Associate Professor Kengo Yoshida (1st from left in the back row), pictured here alongside research lab students from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering.

Student instructors expressed, “Since I don’t usually engage with children, I was initially anxious, but I’m really glad that everyone enjoyed it. Pre-practice among students made the product operation smooth, and I found the software easy to handle.”

Associate Professor Hiroo Shizuka said, “I’m grateful for the provision of products again this year, following last year’s highly praised workshop. In fact, about 20 years ago, we conducted a workshop using Roland DG’s digital tools to decorate medals. We’ve always wanted to provide a program for experiencing manufacturing and taking home something memorable, and I’m delighted to see it realized again this year.”

Over the two days, approximately 120 groups joined us, fostering shared experiences and memories in the fabrication workshop. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants and stakeholders.