Empowering Education Through 3D Printing

UltiMaker is a global leader in professional desktop 3D printing, renowned for delivering accessible, reliable, and high-performance additive manufacturing solutions. In the world of education and technical training, UltiMaker's printers are empowering instructors and students alike by turning ideas into tangible models—bridging the gap between theory and practice. From middle school makerspaces to advanced engineering labs, UltiMaker’s user-friendly ecosystem provides educators with the tools they need to build 21st-century skills through hands-on, project-based learning.

Built for the classroom, UltiMaker’s printers—such as the S3 and S5—offer seamless workflows, intuitive software integration, and a broad material compatibility, making them ideal for cross-curricular applications in STEM, CTE, and design programs. Educators can unlock student creativity while teaching real-world problem-solving, prototyping, and design thinking—critical skills that prepare learners for success in today’s rapidly evolving industries.

With an extensive library of lesson plans, curriculum support, and a global community of educators, UltiMaker is more than a technology provider—it's a partner in shaping the future of education. Whether you’re launching a makerspace, enhancing a Fab Lab, or incorporating additive manufacturing into your existing curriculum, UltiMaker provides scalable solutions to fit your goals.

Improve Safety and Performance for Waste Management Drivers—Before They Take the Wheel

Monday, February 23, 2026

Driver Training Solutions’ Sanitation Simulator provides immersive, scenario-based training designed specifically for waste collection and sanitation fleet operators. Trainees can safely develop critical skills such as route navigation, vehicle handling, stop-and-go operations, backing, tight turns, and hazard awareness—all within a controlled virtual environment.

By removing the risks, costs, and wear associated with on-road training, organizations can deliver consistent, repeatable instruction while protecting both equipment and personnel. The simulator allows drivers to build confidence and competence before ever operating a real vehicle.

Ideal for municipalities, private waste contractors, and fleet training academies, this solution supports safer operations, reduces accident rates, and improves overall efficiency across a wide range of waste management applications.

  • PLC adaptor modules for Matrix Automatics training system

Download the Matrix Automatics PLC Adaptor Guidelines to learn how to connect PLC systems to pneumatic training platforms for advanced automation instruction.

Available through Tech-Labs, these adaptor modules allow educators to bridge pneumatic fundamentals with real-world PLC control, helping students build practical automation skills.

What’s Covered in This Guide

  • PLC input, output, relay, and power interface modules
  • Wiring diagrams and connection examples
  • Module compatibility with different PLC types
  • DIN rail mounting options and configurations
  • Suggested setups for Siemens and other PLC systems

The guide outlines multiple module options for connecting PLC inputs, motor outputs, relay outputs, and power connections to the Automatics training platform.

Why PLC Integration Matters

Integrating PLCs into pneumatic training allows students to move beyond basic circuits into industrial automation concepts such as digital inputs/outputs, relay logic, sequencing, and control system design.

  • Bridges foundational skills with advanced automation
  • Supports real-world industrial control workflows
  • Enhances troubleshooting and system design skills

This guide is ideal for programs looking to expand into Industry 4.0-aligned automation training.

  • Matrix EBlocks3 modular embedded systems training platform featuring touchscreen controller, microcontroller programming boards, sensors, communications modules, and rapid prototyping hardware for engineering education

EBlocks3 from Matrix TSL is a modern, modular embedded systems platform designed to simplify the teaching and learning of microcontrollers, electronics, programming, and rapid prototyping. Whether students are just beginning their journey in embedded systems or advancing toward complex IoT and automation projects, EBlocks3 provides a flexible and scalable learning environment.

The platform combines powerful upstream processor boards with a growing ecosystem of downstream modules, allowing learners to build complete embedded systems quickly and easily. With support for PIC®, Arduino®, ESP32, and FPGA technologies, EBlocks3 enables institutions to teach multiple hardware and software platforms using a common modular architecture.

  • Modular design for rapid system development and experimentation
  • Compatible with PIC, Arduino, ESP32, and FPGA platforms
  • Integrated color touchscreen display with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities
  • Automatic hardware detection through Matrix Auto-ID technology
  • Support for Flowcode, MPLAB X, Arduino IDE, and other development environments
  • Extensive range of sensor, communications, actuator, and interface boards
  • Designed specifically for educational environments
  • Fully compatible with existing EBlocks 2 downstream hardware

EBlocks3 helps bridge the gap between theory and practical application by allowing students to build real-world embedded systems using industry-relevant hardware. Learners can explore digital electronics, sensor integration, communications protocols, control systems, wireless technologies, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications through hands-on projects and experimentation.

The modular architecture allows instructors to create learning experiences that grow alongside student skill levels—from introductory electronics concepts through advanced embedded systems development and engineering design projects.

  • Overview of the EBlocks3 platform architecture
  • PIC, Arduino, ESP32, and FPGA programming solutions
  • Communication and networking modules
  • Sensor and actuator expansion boards
  • Prototype and project development boards
  • Wireless, RFID, Ethernet, CAN Bus, and IoT technologies
  • Software integration and Flowcode support
  • Technical specifications and system configurations
Download the catalog to discover how EBlocks3 can support embedded systems, electronics, mechatronics, automation, engineering, and computer science programs.
  • Cover of our Instructor Training Brochure

Build Confident Instructors. Strengthen Your Program.

Build confident instructors, strengthen your technical education program, and maximize your training equipment's value with Tech-Labs. Our instructor training services combine hands-on equipment instruction, curriculum integration, new instructor development, customized professional development, and preparation for SACA Silver and Gold certifications.

With nearly 50 years of experience supporting educators and industry, Tech-Labs helps instructors develop the technical expertise and classroom confidence needed to deliver engaging, industry-aligned training. The result is stronger instruction, greater certification attainment, improved student outcomes, and a more sustainable workforce-development program.

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  • Welding Technology Learning System
    Item Number:
    950-WT1
    Welding is central to many industries including manufacturing, construction, and aerospace to name only a few. Welding is a blend of both art and science, joined together to create enduring bonds that allow us to create structures and machines on a scale impossible to achieve without it. The 950-WT1 teaches how to safely create an array of high quality weld types.
  • DAC | 295-703
    Item Number:
    295-703
    DAC's Wellhead Backpressure Regulator Cutaway (295-703) is a sectioned specialty regulator example for training in the operation, construction, and maintenance of three industrial back pressure regulators (BPRs), as used in gas and oil service in the oilfield.
  • Cost-Effective Heavy Equipment Training Solution
    Simlog’s Wheel Loader Personal Simulator is equipped with either a bucket or forks, at work in a typical construction site with a dump truck or flatbed truck. Configuration options are offered for both “Steering Wheel Steering” and “Stick Steering”, to reproduce the operator controls of (real) small, medium, and large-size wheel loaders.
  • Simlog Personal Simulators for Training Heavy Equipment Operators
    Item Number:
    WMH
    Simlog's new Wheeled Material Handler Personal Simulator puts you at the controls of a typical wheeled material handler equipped with an articulated boom, four-tine grapple, elevating cab, and outriggers. Many different kinds of situations typical of (metal) scrap recycling yards are presented, in order to address the training needs of a wide variety of customers using different operational practices.
  • Wind Energy Technology Foundational Skills
    Item Number:
    950-WC1
    Amatrol’s Wind Concepts Learning System (950-WC1) introduces learners to a broad range of basic concepts in wind energy technology. Learners study how wind power systems work and what it takes to generate electrical power with wind.
  • Virtual Reality Safety Training
    The Warehouse Working from Heights simulation is ideal for future employees or supervisors who work in or around warehouse operations.
  • DAC Mechanical Drives
    Item Number:
    200-2203
    DAC Worldwide’s Wrap-Spring Clutch Sample (200-2203) depicts a modified industrial in-line, wrap-spring-type clutch for mechanical drive training in a classroom or laboratory.
  • Stokes Education
    Z1
    Unitree Z1 is a super-lightweight robotic arm with great payload capacity designed for Unitree robot dogs. It can cooperate with AlienGo or B1 quadruped and other mobile robots to complete complex tasks and explore various scenarios.
  • ASE L3 Trainer Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist
    Our newest Hybrid and Electric vehicle trainer now covers all topics related to the New ASE L3 test. Allow your students to build confidence by knowing they can safely work on a state-of-the-art real-world system that performs the procedures needed for both hybrid and electric vehicles.
  • Lincoln Electric Robitc Welding Trainers
    Item Number:
    AD2446-20
    The ClassMate® M cell is a complete robotic training solution designed to meet the need for advanced manufacturing training. Instructors can teach robotic concepts in the classroom and quickly move to the lab for welding practice.

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