3D Printed Mini Maze - Junior Designed

 

Challenge: Students to create a unique print that has a moveable parts.

Background: This print was part of the challenge that was put the students in the classroom - could they they produce something that involved movement.   In previous examples from this range they utilised cogs and stands to allow the objects to be turned.

In this example the student wanted to create a small or short mini maze that would have a ball that would be manipulated by the person holding the activity.   There were elements introduced into the maze to increase the level of difficulty.

We have previously explained how we have created larger scale versions of these in the past - including Mr Bloor's amazing Star Wars Tilt table located here.

This print is an early attempt and it is anticipated that with testing and developing ideas that a variety of modifications will be made for this activity.

Resources used to complete this print: iPad, Tinkercad App, Bambu P1P, Regular Blue Bambu PLA.

Level of Difficulty: Medium - in the example here the student has created several obstacles- however the example will be developed and in doing so the difficulty is potentially increased.

Size: The print at present measures 120mm across and is 90mm high.   The sides of the maze are 20mm high and the sides are 3mm thick.   The two 3D Printed balls are 20mm across.

Cost/Price: To complete this print the printer used 54g of PLA to complete the print.  This has a price point of $10.7 to complete the print.   This includes the two balls used to navigate the maze.   The student is going to attempt to complete the maze with a variety of objects - marbles and small rubber 'bouncy' balls.

Timeframe: This print was completed on the Bambu P1P machine.  To complete the print it took one hour and thirty eight minutes.

What we would do differently/Next steps to the students:  The first prototype for the students is designed to inspire and encourage the students to create their own versions or develop this version sooner when feedback is provided.   There is also potential for personalisation on the outside of the maze.   The biggest part of the design will come in the form of the engineering of different challenges to complete the maze.   This will be probably determined by opening up the idea to the classroom and see what the students can design or work into this print.     

H2D Comparison Vs. P1S Comparsion

 

We've spoken recently about using the different machines that are available for our students to use.   Recently we completed a run of prints that were for a local sports teams prize giving when we produced unique and individualised trophies for each members of the sports team.

In the photograph shown left the two prints are produced by two different machines.   The larger Bambu H2D produced the print on the right, the left hand print was completed on the P1P Bambu Printer.

The two machines have a considerable price point difference - where the difference between the prints is negligible if you didn't know which print had been printed if would nearly be impossible to tell.   The timeframe is nearly identical and the finish is essentially the same.    If someone was spending money on the machines either would work for a context of the projects on this blog - however the capital output on the machines is considerably different.

Weekly Project: Using Tinkercad for Five Days

 

As we've mentioned many times on this blog we don't always end of with 3D Printing as a final project.  We're currently providing a range of activities that include using AR/VR to produce a range of images and then apply

This process at times can stretch out over a range of days and activities.   In the example shown left the SVG image of the dinosaur was used across multiple ranges of situations from a classroom image, to a posed classroom scene based on a classroom item or toy - to a giant sized version on the school field.

In this instance the shape shown left made it into a 3D Print, and we managed to print several versions and turn it into a storage and name maker - however it was always conceived as an SVG file that was used across a range of locations.

Typically we complete our digital design work in a small window which takes place after lunch.  Time varies, and also depends on other curriculum interruptions or challenges.   At present we are preparing for our School Cross Country.   The students therefore have less than half an hour to prepare, produce, edit and put together this sort of work.

The full non-printing 3D Printing slideshow is available below.  It is also available as a downloaded file in the form a powerpoint presentation from our Facebook account which you can click on here.

3D Printing Rugby Kicking Tee - Prototype

 

Challenge: To produce a useable kicking tee for use in rugby.

Background: This task came about from a student recognising that they could take a current item, in this case a kicking tee and replicate it using Tinkercad and then personalise it.   There is a copy of a similar type item in the Tinkercad interface although it is a kicking tee for American Football.

The first stage of the testing was to take the existing design, to start to modify it and then test it using a regular rugby ball.  The students found that the tee held the ball a particular way easily however they were interested in modifying it so that it would be easier to adjust the degree that the ball was leaning.

The personalisation of the item was very straight forward.   The student put the name of his club on one side of the design and the other side of the design they put their name so that they had an individualised item.

Since the first version shown above the student has already reworked the various lettering and wording around the outside of the design.

Resources used to complete this print: iPad, Tinkercad, regular PLA, Bambu H2D.

Level of Difficulty: Medium: this print started as a regular design found from the main Tinkercad interface search page.   As it was originally from an American Football design the students needed to modify it to ensure suitable for a ruby union football which has slightly different dimensions.   This requires some reworking and adaption of the base design.  The students also are now completing some testing to ensure it can travel and be kicked like a regular tee.

Size: The print currently measures 120mm long and is 93mm wide.   The print is 34mm high mid point.  With revision of the design there will be obviously be some adjustments.

Cost/Price: The print as it stands uses 120g of PLA to complete the print and this currently have a price point of $1.87.

Timeframe: The print as it stands takes two and a half hours to complete including warm up time of six minutes.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: The students have really enjoyed the process of getting involved with something that will help with a sport that they are very enthusiastic about.   We have also considered that we might want to complete the print using another form of plastic for the printer to make it more robust such as PETG.

3D Printed Projects in Action: Weekly Summary

 

Five and six year olds at Auroa Primary School are 3D Printing, well they are with the assistance of the experts in our classroom.   We are continuing to buddy up with a range of younger students and start the CAD design and creation process with these 'new' students.    Our students are taking on a mentoring role and starting with the basics.   The students are of course using Tinkercad combined with the Tinkercad App and either our Bambu H2D or P1S to complete a range of short term original projects such as the one shown above - with a thirty minute print time and a $0.35c price point using regular PLA.

We've also starting exposing students to using AI in a positive way as a filter - by taking the Tinkercad design of students, AR/VR the design and then posing with a photo, of the design before the final touches are applied using a filter, in this case Pic Collage however of course Chat GPT is also a viable alternative.

In the example shown left the 'hearts' featured in the design is the 3D CAD Design via Tinkercad.  It has then been projected into the arms of the student who is on the slide in the playground.  Of the playground the only part of the image that has remained is the slide and the poles either side of it.  This is the same slide that was featured in another range of AR/VR work that featured the Ooshie stand although in this example the background was completely different.

We also have set our students another design concept or challenge one that involves the school laser cutter.  Our senior students (Year 7/Year 8) have their Design Education Production (DPE) and as part of it produce this Monster Box.   the print has space for an insert and so the challenge for our students is to use their 3D Design skills to create something that can form storage or an inside of a box.  It needs to be obviously measured accurately and carefully.

It could potentially used to store smaller objects and items (currently thinking is based around jewellery, Ooshies or earrings).

Our students have the MDF chest and will be again using Tinkercad, the Tinkercad App and their iPads for the design.

Finally we're always encouraging the students to bring in objects that we might be able to personalise or adapt not just because they make interesting projects but we also have in mind our upcoming School Market Day (which will be held next in 2027)

One such project under consideration is the moment in replicating this rugby kicking tee - as it is plastic it is close in composition to PLA however the students of course have realised that they can produce their own kicking tee with their individual players name - designed into the side of it.  Further updates for all of these projects will follow.

Physical Trophy Repair: Junior 3D Print

 

Challenge: To repair a thirty year old school trophy. 

Background: This print project was detailed on this blog last week - you can click on the link to the post about the planning and the virtual creation of variations here.  

As we stated we were making it possible for all of the students to have input into the design but the printing of physical trophy tops was going to be limited to prints that would be extremely close as we needed essentially just one.

The first print to meet this criteria is detailed in this post here.  The student used the Netball that they were able to find online as a key element as well a generic star and hoop.   The final part was the 'Netball' heading although this is going to be refined.

Resources used to complete this print: The student used their iPad, the Tinkercad App, the Bambu H2D and regular Blue PLA.

Level of Difficulty: Medium - this in some ways is one of those simple projects that needs to be done really, really well which increases its difficulty.  Its about a thirty year old trophy and it needs to be fitting with the style, purpose and quality of the original.   No easy feat.

Size: This print is currently coming in with dimensions of  60mm across the font a width of 60mm and a height of 80mm.  This will need adjustment for the final print (see the photograph below) the mounting is currently two big for the base that it needs to be mounted on.

Cost/Price: The print at the moment has a usage of 28g of PLA and this has a price point of $0.57c.   This print is being reimagined (see below) so this is going to be adjusted.

Timeframe: The print as it stands took one hour and thirty five minutes to complete.  (see below).

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: When the 3D Print is applied to the existing trophy it is clear that adjustments need to be made.   The base of the print needs to be adjusted so that it meets the contours of the existing trophy (instead of overlapping).   

The print itself is currently using a default infill (of twenty percent) for the final version of the print this is going to be increased to give the print more weight but also crucially make it more robust.   

The inscription at the moment is currently too generic.  It needs to be specific for the trophy.

The colour of the print needs to be located as a spray paint.   The pieces that are broken despite the appearance is plastic.

Finally the entire process needs to be checked and approved by the senior management of the school as this is something that we are intending to last for as long as possible.

Ooshie Stand: Personalised Example

 

Challenge: To produce a personalised stand for Ooshies or Lego Mini Figures.

Background: This is the follow up from yesterdays post with the generation of ideas follow up.   We are continuing to explore further developments and ideas but to encourage the students with their designs we wanted to print a physical example that could then be used to review the ideas and consider what refinements might be required or considered.   As noted in the post yesterday this was intended for one of two things as a personalised display stand - the scale of which in theory would allow a range of the figures to be displayed.

The figures in the range were measured prior to the construction of the stand - however there is a subtle variation in the size of a lot of the figures and some have arms and other features that stick out from the base meaning that a universal stand needs to take thins into account.  In this example here the student made a slight design error that the last bay, the one with the second star is not the same dimensions of the other three and finding a character to fit in it is going to be one of the issues that the students will need to resolve.  In the example that was used with the run of twenty figures a peg has been introduced for each figure to be held in place.  In this student example the student opted to have a small division between the figures with the name of the person and the stars on either side.

This was done by applying simple fonts and also including the two 'stars' either side to ensure that there was balance and not blank sections of the design.

Finally we are always looking at considerations towards rafting or waste of plastic - there was the underneath of the design here.  A much better option for the student would have been to print the feet of the stand separately so they could glue them to the base post printing so that there would be no need for support - which essentially was nearly half the print.

Resources used to complete this print: Tinkercad App, student iPad, Bambu H2D, Blue PLA.

Level of Difficulty: Medium all of the skills that the student needed to complete the print they possessed and one would anticipate with the refinements and adjustments that they are going to make the print will be successful.

Size: The print currently measures 170mm long is 35mm wide and is currently on four feet that are 10mm high each.   The sections of the print are currently 35mm by 35mm - this will need to be revised, except for the last bay which is 25mm by 35mm and is too small for anything except for the smallest of the Ooshies.

Cost/Price: This print as it stands now uses 35g of PLA to complete the print which has a price point currently of $0.75.   As noted this could be reduced significantly by altering the underside of the print and printing the legs as seperate pieces as the weight of the objects being placed on them is minimal.

Timeframe: Two hours and ten minutes to complete (again as stated if we changed the base it would also halve the total print time.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students - these have been more or less addressed in the additional information in the print which would affect the output.