Serving up Solutions: Justin Domingo-True's 3D Printing Journey

Justin Domingo-True has plenty on his plate as a sixth grader. School, homework and tennis lessons fill up his schedule.

Even so, True still finds time to design and build in his 3D printing lab — a hobby most kids his age would never think to take this far.

A junior member at Doylestown Tennis Club, True used his 3D printing skills to create 16 customized court tables for the club, giving members a new place to hold tennis balls and water bottles during play.

“I did not think my small obsession of 3D printing would turn into something like this," he said.

That small obsession started last year, when he walked into his classroom and saw a 3D printer for the first time. He was instantly hooked. Wanting to learn more, he asked his teacher, Jared Hottenstein, how he could help.

At first, that meant helping print fidgets for the school’s Knickknack Shack. After learning the basics at school, True received his first 3D printer for Christmas a year and a half ago. From there, he continued building his skills by watching YouTube videos and experimenting on his own. He also took classes at the 3D Lab, in Flemington NJ, with Jessica Wallace and Bucks 3D, in Warminster PA, with Troy Pearlman.  
 

The opportunity to use those skills came when True got home from school one day and learned Doylestown Tennis Club had asked about his 3D printing work.
 

The club had recently installed the Zenniz Smart Court system, which meant removing the tray holders players had used for tennis balls and water bottles. Club owner Jim Klein needed help and True agreed to take it on
 

The entire process took about a month. On a normal day, True would wake up around 6:30 a.m. to work in his 3D lab before school. After getting home around 3:30 p.m., he would spend about another hour on the project before heading to tennis lessons.