The Brownwood Public Library, in partnership with a local nonprofit organization called Soldier’s Cross, is offering classes on beginner, intermediate advanced levels in 3D Design and Printing.

The first session of beginner classes was recently completed, and the library invites anyone interested to sign up for another session of beginner classes that start Monday, March 9.

The classes are made possible by a grant from the Texas State Library, which paid for construction of a classroom in the library, equipment and instruction.

“This is an amazing opportunity in Brownwood,” library director Becky Isbell said.

To sign up, click here.

Participants can sign up for one of the following beginning classes:

• Mondays, March 9 through March 30, at 10 a.m.

• Tuesdays, March 10 through March 31, at 5 p.m.*

• Thursdays, March 12 through April 2, at 5 p.m.

• Saturdays, March 14 through April 4, at 10 a.m.

A press release from the library states:

“This will give wounded veterans, high school students, college students and lifelong learners the skills they need to develop valuable workforce skills. Whether they are looking to start their own 3D design business or learn basic skills in 3D modeling software that will prepare them jobs in architecture, fabrication, engineering, manufacturing, design and much more. We also welcome those who are just curious about 3D printing.”

The classes are taught by Russell Davis, a 79-year-old Lake Brownwood resident, who began the process of creating Soldiers Cross about two years ago.

Isbell explained how the partnership between the library and Soldier’s Cross began..

“Russell reached out to me with his nonprofit Soldier’s Cross and needed a place for his 3D printers, and at that time we did not have (space),” Isbell said. “But then a grant opportunity came up through the Texas State Library and it just tied in perfectly, so we applied for and received the grant.

“We’ve completed the classroom and we’ve just completed our first round of beginner courses.

Davis said, “the full name is Soldiers Cross Training Center. The Internet name is soldierscross.org. What it was formed to do originally was to teach disabled veterans to be able to 3D print and supplement or make a living from heir own homes.”

Davis, a Houston native, said he created Soldier’s Cross in honor of his cousin, Marine First Lt. Richie Muckleroy, who was killed in Vietnam in 1968.

“He and I were in the military at the same time,” Davis said. “I did a lot of this as a tribute to him because he was like a brother to me.”

Davis served in the Navy and Coast Guard for a total of 13 1/2 years.

“When I got out of the military I had other things that I did,” Davis said. “I manufactured, I had a company  and we made things. I’ve always built stuff.

“I’ve always had an appreciation to build and create things. You can have an idea as an individual and if it’s a good idea, you can determine if it is sellable, and determine whether the organization or you alone can print it to produce it.”

Davis said the 3D classes are structured “to teach someone the basics to be able to move forward with it  because it is a technology that is growing like wildfire.”

The website 3Dprinting.com describes 3D printing as “an additive manufacturing  process of making three dimensional objects from a digital file.

The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is created. Each of these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced cross-section of the object, the website states.

Isbell said, “of the 32 people enrolled in the inaugural class, at least 19 have signed up to take an advanced class, so that’s encouraging to me that this is something they see as interesting and valuable.

“We’ve received a lot of good feedback. I think overall it’s going really well. We’re really excited to offer this to our community. There’s so many possibilities for 3D printing and digital modeling.”