Tool Tech Spotlight: Luis Rodriguez on the Evolution of Make48 & 3D Printing
- Make48+Team
- 17 minutes ago
- 4 min read
One of the most recognizable faces in the Make48 arena is Luis Rodriguez, an Applications Engineer for Ultimaker and a veteran Tool Tech.
Luis has been with us since the very beginning, and we mean the very beginning. Before Make48 even hit television screens, Luis was there. He worked with the team during early pre-TV competitions, including the historic event at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in June 2016.
From his early days as a Community Strategist to his current role as an Applications Engineer, Luis has grown alongside the industry. He has followed Ultimaker since their first prototype was unveiled in 2010, watching the technology mature from niche hobbyist machines to industrial powerhouses.
Luis served as a Fab Lab Manager at the Maker Studio at Science City in Kansas City, where he ran a print farm of 17 machines. It was at the Maker Studio that Make48 first met Luis, and he has been a staple of the competition ever since.
The Evolution of Make48
Having been a part of the competition since Season 1, Luis has a unique perspective on how Make48 has changed. The early seasons had no age restrictions (though captains had to be 18+) and focused heavily on invention and marketability.
“The early Make48 days were focused on inventors, products, and commercialization. They all thought they had the 'next big thing,'” Luis recalls. Today, the competition has shifted its gaze toward the next generation. “Now, the focus is on students, makerspaces, universities, and education, which is really cool to see," Luis says. "It feels more rewarding and foundational.”
Luis embodies the spirit of Make48: collaboration over competition. It is invaluable to have experts like him who can bridge the gap between high-end technology and educational basics. Nowhere is this more evident than in his mentorship of Brooks Gray. We’ve watched Brooks, now 13, grow from an 8-year-old volunteer into a skilled CAD Tool Tech in his own right, a transformation powered in large part by his friendship with Luis.
Working with the Tool Tech crew has brought years of friendship and camaraderie. Despite the long hours and lost weekends, Luis finds the energy of the competition regenerative.
“Ironically, I don't get to do a lot of designing and printing myself because I'm helping others, so this helps me hone my skills," he says. "We are getting back to the basics with these kids. It’s easy for [the Techs], but it’s still some of these kids' first time. It’s good to show people that this is a skill they can use right now.”
Communication among the techs is fast, furious, and effective. "We are usually face-to-face. We aren't using WhatsApp; we are bouncing ideas off each other directly," Luis laughs. "Somehow our ADHD works for that, someone is in the middle of cutting something and asks if they can print something else. It’s immediate."
The 48-Hour Crunch: Speed & Technology
In a 48-hour competition, time is the most valuable resource. Working at UltiMaker allows Luis to bring cutting-edge speed to the teams. “For us, we’ve always used our printers, but recently we used our latest printer, the Sketch Sprint," Luis explains. "It’s three or four times as fast. I told our leadership, ‘We have to use this for the event,’ because if we can get stuff out faster, we can help the teams faster.”
The real-life application of 3D printing in a competition environment is incredible to watch. Rows of printers moving in unison, turning digital ideas into physical objects in real-time, can be mesmerizing. “The hardware has gotten faster, but the software has also gotten a lot easier to use," Luis notes. "That’s been helpful because we want to get prototypes out quickly for people.”
Despite being a 3D printing expert, Luis has found himself having to advise teams against using the printers for their product at times. The allure of the technology can sometimes distract teams from the most efficient solution.
“Part of my job is to convince people to do what’s best for their prototype. Sometimes they think it’s a miracle machine," says Luis. "I have to say, 'No, don't print it. It’s faster to laser-cut or ShopBot it.' We evaluate the complexity and how long it takes to produce, then decide on the best method."
Luis notes that the most successful teams are the ones that diversify their materials. “I think what’s worked well is when parts are 3D printed, mixed with wood or acrylic. We try to use the fastest technology for each piece. 3D printing the entire thing is usually too much. The best teams break it down.”
Advice to Young Engineers
What skills does a young person need to become a Tool Tech or Applications Engineer?
According to Luis, it's not just about knowing the software - it's about how you see the world.
“I’m not the most organized person, but you need a level of organization in how you see shapes," he advises. “How can I break this complex shape into primitive shapes? All the most complicated designs are really just a bunch of basic shapes smashed together. If you can visualize that, you can do this.”
He also points out that the barrier to entry has never been lower. "You can see it in places like the Netherlands, where they use 3D printing in kindergarten. The idea that you can make something physically instead of buying it is foundational. Every library seems to have a printer now, and you can learn on YouTube. The basic skills are there; you just need to practice."
Thank you, Luis, for a decade of dedication, late nights, and problem-solving! If you want to chat with Luis, you can reach him at LINKEDIN. (Tip: He’s fueled by a good slice of pizza and coffee!)
Want to learn 3D printing like the pros? Visit UltiMaker and MakerBot 3D printers for professionals and the next generation of makers. And meet the newest MakerBot Sketch printer, the Sketch Sprint– https://store.ultimaker.com/