How PrintAcademy 3D started in Stellenbosch
PrintAcademy 3D in Stellenbosch helps schools, teachers and young people learn 3D printing through hands-on training, classroom lab kits and setup support. Our work is shaped by South African classrooms, where power cuts, limited lab time and shared equipment affect how lessons run, so our training and kits stay clear, practical and manageable.
We work from our Western Cape base but support schools in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Gqeberha, Paarl and Somerset West, as well as other towns and districts across the country. Some schools come to us for a first introduction to 3D printing. Others need support setting up a new lab or improving how the equipment is used after hours. The common thread is a need for straightforward guidance that fits the school environment.
What we believe classroom technology should do
Our values are shaped by the classroom. We believe technology should help learners solve problems, test ideas and improve their work through practical application. A 3D printer is only useful when people know how to plan a model, prepare a print, handle the machine safely and understand what went wrong if a print fails. That is the kind of learning we focus on.
We also believe teachers should not be left to figure it out on their own. Good support matters, especially when a school is introducing new equipment for the first time. Our role is to make the process easier with usable advice, reliable setup guidance and training that respects the time teachers already have.
- Practical learning that can be used in real lessons
- Clear steps for teachers, learners and support staff
- Respect for school budgets, schedules and room constraints
- Simple safety habits and responsible equipment use
How our courses support teachers and learners
We offer 3D-printing courses for different levels of experience, from first contact with the equipment through to more structured use in a classroom or maker space. Some sessions are designed for teachers who need a solid introduction. Others suit staff who already know the basics and want more confidence with printer operation, project planning or design work. We also support learner groups, holiday programmes and maker clubs.
Our approach is hands-on. People learn by setting up a file, preparing a printer, checking materials and working through a real project. We keep the pace practical and manageable, with enough detail for school use but without overcomplicating the process. If a class only has one afternoon a week, or a room that must double as another teaching space, we plan for that reality.
- Teacher Introduction and Teacher Intermediate sessions
- Learner Foundations and CAD Basics
- Printer Operations and Maintenance Basics
- Maker Club Training and Holiday Programme support
School lab kits built for local conditions
Our school lab kits are prepared to help institutions set up a workable 3D-printing environment without unnecessary confusion. We supply the equipment and guidance needed to get started, from the layout of the space to day-to-day use and care. Schools often ask for help balancing access, supervision and maintenance, so we keep the system practical and easy to manage.
We take local conditions into account, including load-shedding, coastal humidity in places like Durban and Gqeberha, and the need for secure storage in busy school buildings. We also advise on basic room planning, ventilation, safe cable management and the sort of routine checks that help equipment last longer. If a school is in a municipal area with specific room or safety requirements, we encourage those to be checked before the setup is finalised.
- Support for lab setup and equipment placement
- Guidance on storage, supervision and daily use
- Maintenance Basics to help with routine care
- Training for school teams that will manage the lab
The people behind the training
Our team brings together different strengths, which helps us support schools in a more complete way. Ettienne Truter leads the business from our Stellenbosch base. Lwazi Molapo coordinates training, Lizanne Rossouw works with school lab planning, Lwandle Msiza handles technical support, Hlengiwe Mabunda develops learning content, Rivaaz Nair facilitates workshops and Amahle Mkhwanazi keeps operations moving. That mix matters because schools usually need more than one kind of support at the same time.
We try to stay close to the practical side of the work. A teacher may need help preparing for a session, a technician may need help with printer care, and a school manager may want a brief overview before signing off on a lab. By keeping roles clear, we can respond properly instead of sending people in circles. That saves time and avoids confusion.
How schools usually work with us
Schools contact us through the enquiry form on our contact page, then we match the request to the right service or combination of services. Some need a short management briefing. Others want a custom group workshop, a lab setup course or ongoing support for staff and learners. We also work across multiple centres, including Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Gqeberha, so schools can ask about the most suitable training option for their area.
We aim to be clear from the beginning about what a school needs, who will attend and what equipment or room conditions should be in place. That includes basic safety reminders such as keeping learners supervised around hot surfaces, storing tools properly and making sure the work area is tidy before a print starts. The aim is steady, usable progress. Not a once-off event, but a learning process schools can continue with confidence.
Across every project, our focus remains the same: help teachers and learners use 3D printing in a way that is useful, safe and suitable for South African classrooms.