A Project-Driven Teaching Reform for Mechatronics Courses Based on a Virtual 3D Printer

To address the current issues in the mechatronics course, such as redundant textbook content, a monotonous teaching model, undistinguished course objectives, a shortage of qualified instructors, and inadequate experimental facilities, this study proposes a project-driven teaching model based on a virtual 3D printer. This model restructures the theoretical curriculum around six specialized topics: mechanical design for non-standard equipment, computer control system, microcontroller control system, PLC control system, numerical control system, and communication protocol. Corresponding experimental assignments for each topic were designed to foster a tight integration of theory and practice. In the practical section, a virtual 3D printer project is designed to effectively enhance students’ understanding, integration, and application of knowledge in microcontroller control, computer programming, and mechanical design. This project-driven practical approach eliminates the hardware, manpower, and material resource demands associated with physical projects, enabling a comprehensive simulation of both mechanical and electronic control. The implementation of this teaching model has proven to be effective in improving students’ practical and innovative capabilities.