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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  • Portable Electronic Sensors Learning System – 990-SN1
    Item Number:
    990-SN1
    Amatrol's 990-SN1 includes various electronic sensors, such as capacitive proximity, inductive proximity, magnetic reed, hall-effect, and photoelectric. These sensors can be used with a provided test materials to teach how each sensor completes industrial tasks. Combined with Amatrol’s curriculum, this innovated tool provides a thorough understanding of electronic sensor applications.
  • Amatrol Portable Learning Systems
    Item Number:
    990-BH1
    Amatrol’s Portable Basic Hydraulics Learning System allows learners to gain skills by studying basic hydraulic circuits, pressure control circuits, hydraulic schematics, and sequence valves. The system includes a robust, portable case, eLearning curriculum, and student reference guides.
  • Item Number:
    990-PC1
    Amatrol’s Portable Process Control Troubleshooting Learning System – Level & Flow (990-PC1F) provides a skill-rich, portable troubleshooting training system for two of the most common types of process control systems, flow and liquid level.
  • Amatrol Portable Troubleshooting 990-PAB53AF
    Item Number:
    990-PAB53AF
    Amatrol’s Portable PLC Troubleshooting Learning System - AB CompactLogix L16 (990-PAB53AF) teaches programmable logic controller (PLC) programming, operation, and applications used throughout industry.
  • Portable PLC Troubleshooting Skill-Building
    Item Number:
    990-PABCL1F
    Amatrol’s PLC Troubleshooting Learning System for the AB CompactLogix provides comprehensive PLC operation and troubleshooting knowledge in a portable format for when training space is constrained, but skill-building cannot be sacrificed! Learners will study topics like Programmable Controller Operation, PLC Ethernet Communication, Basic PLC Project Elements, PLC Motor Control, Event Sequencing, and more!
  • Amatrol 990-PAB53AF Portable PLC Training and Curriculum
    Item Number:
    990-PAB53AF
    Amatrol's 990-PAB53AF Portable PLC Troubleshooting Learning System provides a comprehensive curriculum and a cutting-edge workstation to teach PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) programming, operation, and applications used in industry. The 990-PAB53AF uses FaultPro, Amatrol’s unique electronic fault insertion, to teach PLC troubleshooting skills, such as PLC input and output testing, software testing, and application troubleshooting.
  • Portable Pneumatics Learning System 990-PN1
    Item Number:
    990-PN1
    Amatrol's Portable Pneumatics Learning System (990-PN1) offers hands-on training in basic and intermediate pneumatic concepts. Featuring real-world components in a portable case, this system enables learners to practice cylinder operation, flow controls, valves, air motors, and gauges, fostering skill development and workforce readiness.
  • Amatrol 990-ELE1 Portable Electronics Trainer
    Item Number:
    990-ELE1
    Amatrol's 990-ELE1 features a various electrical components and circuits, including: AC and DC power supplies, ΔV potentiometer, thermocouples, resistive temperature detectors, thermistors, electronic sensors, solid state relays, transistor and operational amplifiers, field effect transistors, silicon-controlled rectifiers, triacs, and phase control circuits.
  • Amatrol’s Portable Precision Gauging Learning System (990-PG1)
    Item Number:
    990-PG1
    Amatrol’s Portable Precision Gauging Learning System (990-PG1) covers the fundamentals of basic measurement, precision measurement, direct gauging, indirect gauging, and dimensional measurements using both the U.S. customary system and the SI metric system all within a mobile, highly durable product. Measurement is a cornerstone of all technical career paths and a major part of quality assurance, which helps to keep product quality high and costs low.
  • Amatrol Portable Trainer 990-SM10
    Item Number:
    990-SM10
    Amatrol's newest advanced manufacturing trainer is the Portable Smart Manufacturing Learning System (990-SM10). Developed in partnership with CESMII, this system is designed to provide hands-on learning in Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies.

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