Project-based learning has proven to be an effective strategy for developing technical and analytical competencies in engineering education, particularly when students are exposed to real-world systems integrating multiple disciplines. In this work, a hands-on educational project is presented in which undergraduate engineering students adapted a low-cost Cartesian 3D printer into a functional Near-Field Electrospinning (NFES) platform to explore the fundamentals of electrohydrodynamic fiber deposition. The system was modified through the integration of a syringe pump, a high-voltage power supply, and programmable motion control using open-source firmware and G-code-based positioning. The project involved students from nanotechnology and mechatronics engineering programs, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in activities including system design, firmware modification, experimental setup, parameter exploration, and qualitative analysis. Rather than focusing on full material optimization, the educational experience emphasized understanding the relationships between processing conditions, jet stability, and fiber deposition behaviour, as well as the development of troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. Experimental validation demonstrated the successful generation of stable electrohydrodynamic jets and controlled fiber deposition using short tip-to-collector distances characteristic of NFES. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations confirmed the formation of continuous fibrous structures with predominantly linear morphology, allowing students to directly relate processing parameters with deposition outcomes. The results indicate that adapting accessible fabrication platforms to demonstrate advanced manufacturing techniques can significantly enhance student engagement and conceptual understanding, offering a replicable and low-cost framework for integrating complex engineering processes into educational environments.
