Challenge: To repair a game part to ensure that the game can be played successfully.
Background: This classroom game was unable to be used as the sliding bar at the base of the game was no longer functioning. It was the students themselves who came up with the solution to this which was to print a replacement version for the piece allowing the game to be played.
This task was completed by students who are eight years old working independently who have used Tinkercad and the Tinkercad App (which is essentially the same program) since the start of this year as they are part of the cohort one group of students in the classroom. The task was split into two parts. The first part involved the printing of a basic bar. This bar was 250mm long 20mm high and 5mm wide. This bar when placed in the location that it was required (as shown in the photograph above) could not remain in its location independently, as it fitted relatively well but the students had to use tape to stick it into place. They also decided that rather than replacing the tape every game it was easier when the game was completed to tip the game upside down so that the counters slid outside.
The original design used 44g of PLA to complete the print at a cost of $1.10. The print took two hours to complete on the regular default settings.
Once a project is completed we tend to assess it with the students and think about how it might be improved or what potential there is for improving or challenging their engineering skills (for instance the recent repairs to the 'barn' toy are a good example where the focus shifts from a basic shape (the door frame) to a more complex engineering challenge (which in this case was the hinge allowing the door to swing open and then close again)
To further complicate this matter in regards to this hinge or swing point the entire design needs to be able to fit inside the legs of the device when it it is closed. This proved to be a more complex challenge than anticipated.
Level of Difficulty: Original design (low) secondary and improved design medium. Hinge and swing points are a concept our students are still getting to grips with and involving some trial and error for the students.
Size: The secondary print involved more PLA as the students attempted to create a hinge. The variation in size was not significant in length, remaining at 250mm but the ends created were 60mm high. There was a degree of rafting running the length of the design, although we are more comfortable with this now as we are collected it for recycling.
Cost/Price: As noted the original cost $1.10 to produce the revised version shown left was 47g of PLA and had a price cost of $1.46. The difference between the two prices was reflected in the increase due to the additional features of the design.
Timeframe - the original took two hours, the revised version, including the side supports was two hours and forty minutes.
What we would do differently/Next step for the students: The revised version works but the locking mechanism of the stand onto the frame restricts the access points for the students design. They cannot both work in conjunction with each other so while students have completed the brief they will need to revise the design again to take this into account. It also has significantly challenged their engineering principal skills, which is a very positive thing.
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