Indianapolis, Indiana – In a world where technology is constantly redefining possibilities, Indiana University’s Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering is playing a surprisingly versatile role. From ancient Greek temples to futuristic robots, the school’s 3D Fabrication and Design Inquiry Labs are helping researchers, educators, and even students bring bold and sometimes centuries-old ideas into physical form.
The Luddy School, located in Bloomington, has positioned itself at the forefront of 3D printing technology. Its extensive network of four advanced makerspaces—ProtoLab, Luddy Fab Lab, Innovative Lab, and Luddy Workshop—provides a combined 6,000 square feet of creative and technical space. These facilities are home to 41 3D printers, including large-format machines capable of high-resolution work, as well as laser cutters, CNC mills, waterjet cutters, and traditional shop tools.
Whether it’s reimagining ancient ruins or helping teenagers design their own robots, the school’s labs are constantly busy with innovative projects. Nicole Miller, director of the 3D Fabrication and Design Inquiry Labs, summed up their impact in a single sentence: “We’re helping solve problems with 3D printing all of the time.”
One recent high-profile collaboration has taken IU’s 3D work all the way to Greece. At the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, an exhibition titled Imag(in)ing Samothrace: From Homer to the HoloLens features detailed 3D-printed replicas of sculptural fragments from the Sanctuary of the Great Gods on the island of Samothrace. These replicas—produced with stunning precision at IU—allow visitors to interact with history in a whole new way.
The exhibition runs through June 29 and invites participants to piece together the “pediment of the Hieron,” a monumental element from the sanctuary. The physical act of reassembling these sculptural elements mirrors the decades-long scholarly debates over how the original fragments might have fit together. Thanks to IU’s technology, visitors now have the chance to try it for themselves.
“This collaboration is about taking an intangible object — a file of an ancient sculpture that has been 3D scanned for the purposes of preservation — and turning it back into a tangible object that people can pick up and handle,” said Miller. “It’s the sort of project that we’re well set up to assist with.”
The pieces were printed in ProtoLab, one of the Luddy School’s most advanced spaces. Located in Myles Brand Hall, ProtoLab serves faculty, students, and collaborators from across campus. Its machines are specially designed for high-quality surface finishes and intricate detailing, making it ideal for cultural heritage projects like the Athens exhibit.
At the other end of the innovation spectrum is a project that looks toward the future of technology and education. Associate Professor Goren Gordon is using the Luddy School’s resources to develop an affordable, easy-to-build social robot aimed at high school and middle school STEM programs. The goal is not just to give students a cool gadget, but to empower them to build, fix, and even redesign it themselves.
“This is going to be something that high school or even middle school students in STEM can build by themselves start to finish with a 3D-print file and some links to resources on Amazon,” Gordon explained.
What makes this project particularly exciting is its focus on accessibility. The entire robot can be constructed from off-the-shelf parts and printed pieces for under $300. The open-source design doesn’t require any coding knowledge, making it a perfect hands-on learning tool for younger students.
“Even more significant than the low cost is the fact that this robot is designed to provide students a true sense of ownership,” Gordon added. “If a part breaks, they can fix it because they built it from scratch.”
To ensure that the robot kits are reproducible by anyone with access to basic 3D printers, Gordon worked with the Luddy School labs to print prototypes using lower-end, consumer-grade equipment. This way, schools and maker clubs without access to industrial machines can still successfully replicate the parts.
Gordon also created software for the robot that would allow it to help facilitate group discussions, especially in educational settings. His earlier research has shown that AI-driven agents can encourage more balanced participation in classroom conversations, making the robot potentially useful for teachers and online learning programs.
While students and researchers often submit digital files through the lab’s online portal for 3D printing, Miller emphasized that staff are always available for consultation. Whether someone is printing a robotic limb, an engineering component, or a puzzle-like sculpture from ancient history, the lab’s experts are eager to help.
“We support tons of curriculum and research with our labs,” Miller said. “Students especially are printing all kinds of things. We see everything you can imagine: an arm, a ball joint, a connector, and plenty of objects that we often can’t even identify.”
From ancient artifacts to next-gen robotics, the projects coming out of IU’s Luddy School showcase the true range and promise of 3D printing. The technology continues to evolve, but it’s the creative energy and real-world application that make the labs a dynamic part of the university’s mission.
The school’s participation in the Athens exhibit was made possible through Bernie Frischer, a digital archaeologist and emeritus professor at the Luddy School. His expertise in combining archaeology with modern tech helped connect the art historians with the resources they needed to bring their vision to life.
As the Luddy School continues to grow its makerspaces and refine its tools, it’s clear that 3D printing at IU is more than just an academic resource—it’s a bridge between the past, the present, and the future. Whether you’re a museum curator or a student tinkering with your first robot, there’s a place for you in this ever-expanding hub of innovation.
