3D PrintedChristmas Decorations: Tinkercad - Beta

Challenge: 3D Printed Christmas decoration, as mentioned and described in previous posts, a Christmas decoration for a local shop with a theme of the school, thus featuring 'Auroa' instead of the students name.
Background: Students were using the updated 'beta' version of Tinkercad which has an expanded basic shapes and significantly improved lettering options (an option to be able to print a series of letters or sentences - instead of previously having to add each letter individually).
Task: Using the 'beta' version of Tinkercad to design a print, allowing the students to use the new features, with emphasis on the specific challenge.
Level of Difficulty: Easy - while this design potentially looks complex all of the features are in fact part of the new version of Tinkercad and feature from the regular menu.  The student designed this in her first attempt in under three minutes, although she had previous experience with using the original Tinker.  Student is Year 5 - so turning ten.
Issues: The student had a thickness of 5mm with the print to ensure that it ran correctly, which is did, this was probably too thin for the base of the star, which cracked when being removed from the plate.
Size: 20cm in height, 15cm across and a depth of 5mm [which made the base fragile.]
Timeframe: Nine hours.
Process: This was significantly contributed by the new 'beta' version of Tinkercad (which is free).  The design was completed by basic settings and then saved.   This was then loaded into the new version of Cura and then transferred to the printing - Ultimaker 2.
Reflection: If someone was to state that 3D Printing was too technical this is an example of something practical that could be completed in a insignificant timeframe that would produce an eye catching positive example of 3D Printing (in addition there was the intention to Glow-In-the-Dark filament the print for further effect).

Christmas Decorations: Evolving Print Designs

Star with original Tinkercad lettering (hence the differing letters)

Challenge: To create an original 'Christmas' design for a Christmas Tree, suitable to be hung.
Background: As previously stated these designs all evolved from the same project.  While we had three printers running, filament delays meant these were backed up and the project stretched into December, this allowed students to utilise the new beta version of Tinkercad (which is a significant improvement) and also refine their designs based around earlier prints.
Task: To create an original (from scratch) design which predominantly featured the use of the new objects and lettering from the beta version of Tinkercad.'  The original idea was for a personalised one, then the School was requested to make a series of prints for a Christmas Tree at a local shop - however students involved in the process did not want their prints in general to go to the shop so they used them for their own trees despite featuring the name of the school!

Level of Difficulty: Easy - some of the students involved modified prints and designs that were used as part of the 'Cookie Cutter' projects with subtle changes.  The students creating from scratch were able to create the key required parts from the basic set up.
Issues: The student decided to individually create the letters using the old version of Tinkercad, therefore they were slightly different sizes and the second 'a' was noticeably smaller than the others, however student was more than happy with this.   The box was introduced as a base for the printing of the letters.
Size: 20cm from tip to tip and 20cm across, depth of 5mm.
Timeframe: Eight hours. (Ultimaker 2+ with 4mm nozzle)
Process: The original design was created using a star shape that was located as a stencil GIF as part of the 'Cookie Cutter' project.   The student wanted to use a base design for a star for the top of the tree and thus took the original star design and simply added the 'Auroa' block and lettering to meet the criteria desired for the Christmas decoration.  The new version of Tinkercad was not used as the student preferred using the older version which he was familiar with (see note about the lettering).   Cura was used as with most prints on this site and then the print was downloaded.
Reflection: the student himself was extremely happy with the print but this was essentially just a small modification of a previous project, and while he was happy with the results he could have had more variation with it.  As a project to capture attention for a display piece its some seasonal value and the potential is there for considerable personalisation of the ornament.

Christmas Decorations 3D Glow-in-the-Dark

Bottle design, sans cork

Challenge: to create a decoration for a Christmas Tree designed (from scratch) by students suitable for hanging on a Christmas Tree.
Background: This is a further development of the 'Christmas Decorations' post from earlier in this blog.  Initial designs included run of the mill decorations that were not completely original and involved converting GIF pictures - this design was from scratch, included in it was an innovation - the student created a 'cork' or insert for the top, which would allow this to be hung.
Task: The student was wanting something extra for his first print and thus created the lid/cork which worked as an insert.
Level of Difficulty - Medium - the student wanted to add the extra by having the 'cork' which needed a separate part and able to be inserted into the top thus allowing it to be potentially hung.
Issues: the print was completed with glow-in-the-dark filament, it seems a little flaky compared to the regular and not as smooth.  The cork/lid fitted perfectly at the second attempt, as it needed to be resized from the draft print - however it fitted perfect and was snug which created the avenue for it being hung from a tree (its going to take the place of a star on a family tree!)

the cork/lid with rafting

Size: 11cm in height, 5cm across and a depth of 5mm for the base.  The letters had the deliberate effect of being different sizes with the intention of creating a 'step' look.
Timeframe: Six hours - on a regular print.
Process: Tinkercad (Beta) design from scratch, converted to Cura (new version) and then printed on a regular Ultimaker 2.
Reflection: The Y5 student (ten year old) created the design himself and was able to show good attention to detail and creativity by adding the cork/lid.  The student concerned was thrilled with the result which completed the brief but included an innovation.

Product Evolution: Christmas Label

This series of prints were all produced by the same student, whose designs were the first time that he had used Tinkercad.   It was his first design using Tinkercad and the first time that he had created a 3D Print.  He is a Y5 student meaning his age is ten years old.

The original design and print - student brief was for a label suitable for a present for Christmas.  As it was a prototype and the students first print he opted for a simple block design with 'Mila' (the name of his cousin, who the gift was for) written across the top.   He created it from scratch in Tinkercad, with a three hour print (rafting has not been removed and is visible at the base of the print).   Design was 4.5cm across and high to a depth of 2.5cm - print time for this project: three hours. 

 Having created the first print he decided to refine the print on the basis of being able to attach it to the present, thus he created a hole in the top (earning the nickname of the 'toast' in reference to its likeness to a slice of bread).   He also sunk the letter for the name and added a geometric shape in the bottom right hand corner.  Width of 6cm, height of 5cm and depth of 5mm.  This was also a three hour print, however it was printed on an Ultimaker 2+ (the previous print was printed on an Ultimaker 2 regular).

In the third version of the project print the student had started to experiment with added additional shapes to the design.  The holes that were printed at the bottom were intended to 'hang' to design, which meant it was impractical work as a label.   The design features of all of these designs were created from using the geometric shapes design feature of Tinkercad.  This third version was also printed on the Ultimaker 2+, without any rafting.  Width of 6.5cm, height of 5cm and depth again of 5mm.
This project was again with a print time of three hours.

This was the final run of the project - the student made the decision to print the project using Glow-In-The-Dark filament.  The intended recipient is a cousin is four years old so the student felt that by printing with that filament would add something to the project.    The print was completed on the Ultimaker 2 (note the comparison between this and the last two prints in the sequence with the 2+) an exclamation mark was missing following the '1'.   The depth of the print was 2cm - it therefore gave somewhat of a 'block' effect rather than a label, however the student himself desired to have this effect as he thought it would work as a stand alone present given its display possibilities.   The two holes that were printed into the design were of different sizes in the form of an experiment.   10cm wide by 7cm high by 2cm deep.   This print took nine hours to complete.

3D Printed: Lawn Mower

Student designed: Lawn Mower print - 18 hours

Challenge: To produce a working model of a Lawn Mower.
Background: A presenter who had heard of the 3D reputation of our school wanted to produce a series of props for presentations, the pieces that he was looking for needed to represent actual objects that people were familiar with.   The props needed to be as life-like as possible.
Task: Student created a representation of a lawn mower using Tinkercad from scratch.
Level of Difficulty: High - the student was creating not an original piece but a copy of a common everyday item.  It had to be recognisable and plausible.
Issues: Rafting caused the wheel to be removed when the rafting was removed.  The filament used was not standard filament (see below) and as a consequence is more difficult to remove.
Size: 18cm by 10cm by 15cm

Timeframe: Regular print settings - eighteen hours.
Process: The student was using the Beta Version of Tinkercad, which had just been released prior to the project being completed.  The print was completed using a different filament from previous prints.  Previously we had used a cheaper 'regular' filament - the Innofil was approximately 50% more expensive but it was clearly visible in the quality of the final printed version.  After consulting with the classroom teacher involved this filament would be preferred for 'show' or demonstration pieces.  The student designed the print from scratch including all aspects of the design.
Reflection: The student responsible for this design has shown talent and creation right from some of his first projects when he was Y5.  He is currently a Y6 student, who is ten years old.  He is able to individually create designs with this detail using free software.  

Y3/4 3D printed student bookmarks

'Sophie' Bookmark with rafting

Challenge: to produce a working bookmark suitable for a student to use.
Background: Previously at Auroa Primary School in a post from last year the students had created a bookmark as part of the Y34/4 STEM program at Auroa Primary School, a link to the original post is here.  This year the program was repeated, for an hour a week on Fridays and a group of students repeated the task.
Task: For the students to design an original bookmark using Tinkercad and then print.  The students are 8 and 9 year old students at school so this design was their first prints.
Level of Difficulty: Low - however this group of students was young and it was their first.

Issues: Once the students started adding detail to the base some of this detail was floating or did not fit well with the basic material - which caused some phantom air printing, resulted in failed prints.
Size: the 'Sophie' bookmark featured here measured 17cm by 4cm with a 5mm base.   The 'Willa' bookmark was 12cm by 7cm with a depth of 5mm.
Time fame: 'Sophie' was three hours and 'Willa' was four - however the first was printed on the Ultimaker 2+ and the latter on an Ultimaker 2 so some variation was expected.
Process: The students designed the projects directly into Tinkercad which was then converted into Cura for the printing on the 3D printers.
Reflection: As a short and practical introductory task for the students this allowed students to create their first projects.  Refinement and reflection should allow for a degreeing of fine tuning to ensure that the finish project meets the brief.

3D Printed Christmas Labels

'Mila' label prior to rafting removal

Challenge: To create a label suitable for the naming of a Christmas present.
Background: This task developed organically from the previous task (which is still a work in progress involving 3D Printed Christmas decorations.  As part of this task while awaiting filament and brainstorming potential ideas about other projects students in the classroom came up with the idea of creating labels to individualise presents.   For these students (Y5/6 students - 10 years old) it would be the first time designing original prints on the 3D printers.
Task: To create a label for the identifying/naming of a Christmas present.  Students needed to consider ways to attach the label to the gift and personalise it (with the persons name).

Above: 'Denise' star label

Level of Difficulty: Low - this was the students first individually designed print attempt in most cases.
Issues: In the first two completed examples - 'Mila' print neglected to have an easy attachment location to secure it to the gift (student could potentially have inserted a hole) the 'Denise' star needed to have a more robust base for the name part of the design and potentially the star aspect could have been thicker, however in both of these cases the students should progress from the original design and refine it to meet the brief successfully.
Size: the 'Mila' print was 4cmx4cmx2cm (although the height could easily have been adjusted to 1cm).   The 'Denise' print was 11cmx11cmx1cm - although as noted it potentially could have been increased to make it more robust).
Timeframe: Approximately two hours for both prints (with adjustments in height to 'Mila')
Process: These were designed directly in Tinkercad by the students concerned before being converted to Cura and downloaded for 3D Printing.
Reflection: The tasks is relatively straightforward with the potential for an entire class to produce models/designs in a straight forward manner in a relatively short print time.  This was an introductory task for the classroom that followed a natural progression from the 'Christmas Decorations' print and in many cases featured the students first individual designs.  Further refinement and improvement would be expected as the students bounce ideas off one another and continue to print.

Christmas Decorations Part Two

Above: Christmas Bell 

Details of project update: The students are currently working through a series of designs that fit the 'Christmas Tree Decoration' brief.   The final designs are going to be printed with a Glow-in-the-dark filament.    The students were instructed to produce something that was individualised the print.  The first prints in this series have yet to make this brief and this is being discussed.
We have Glow-in-the-dark filament arriving shortly and at that point will be running the final prints.
  
The bell to the left consists of a two hour print on a regular setting that follows the format described in this process.  We have used this as a discussion points with the class - does it meet the brief? What else needs to be done? How could students modify it further to add to the complexity and detail of the prints.

3D Printed Christmas Decorations

Silhouette of decoration selected for printing

Challenge: For the students to create original Christmas decorations suitable for hanging from a Christmas tree.    Students to personalise them by adding their name to the decorations or the name of the person that they want to gift them too.
Background: In this instance we were looking for a follow up activity to the 'Cookie Cutter' design task that would combine a task that would be realistic for the class to complete individual projects and they would be further able to develop the skills that they had learnt following the steps - students were to be given no assistance in converting a file to an SVG file, as this was to reinforce their learning from the previous lesson.

Above: Converted to Cura Software

Task: Students to design from scratch a decoration, selecting an image or silhouette and then converting this from a screenshot into an SVG file which could be then loaded into Tinkercad (see previous lesson).
Level of Difficulty: Low - students were given no assistance to complete the task as it was in essence a repeat of previous task, however the addition of the personalisation was discussed as well as the process of how to complete it.

Above: Print in progress

Issues: This is a project that will will result in 25 prints from students and this should reinforce the work the students have been completing - there will be considerable variation from each project although ultimately the goal is for each student to complete a piece.
Size: As above there is considerable variation in size.  We will be completing a slideshow that features all of the prints with details about each of them relating to size - the example in this case was 5cm in height and 10cm in length.
Timeframe: As mentioned - the 'sleigh' print shown in this post was a 90 minute print on normal setting.
Process: Students selected an image that met the expected criteria of being a silhouette outline.  Students then converted the file to an SVG format which allowed the file to be uploaded into Tinkercad.  Once it was checked for suitability the print was then downloaded for 3D Printing and converted into Cura Software suitable for printing on the Ultimaker 2.
Note: a Google Slide of this process will be completed shortly that will feature a number of prints in this series/task.  While the original prints are being completed with a regular filament the finished products will be completed with a Glow-In-The-Dark Filament.

3D Printed Connectors

Above: connector with aluminum insert

Challenge: To create larger objects, using the 3D Printer to create connectors to go at the corners to ensure that the large structure could be build.  In this instance the ultimate goal is to produce a hydroponic set up for the students.
Background: The teachers and students were looking at additional design tasks to extend the students.  This project is a significant one, that is being drive by using the 3D printers to create connectors to allow the build to progress with aluminum pipes which has been custom cut for the project.
Task: Some of the old filament from the first 3D Printer (2014) was used along with additional prints.   The size and dimension of the aluminum piping determined the width and the size of the connection.  As the design was based around a large rectangle shape the connectors needed to have three links on each of them.

Level of Difficulty: Low - the connectors dimensions were determined by the aluminum piping and its dimensions so it was obvious what was required.  Various tests on the width and the fit of the connectors were made to ensure that there was a close fit, although its anticipated that the final version will require some form of permanent bonding.
Issues: None - although the ultimate success of the project will depend on the additional pieces this is the first time that custom made connectors for a project have been 3D printed.
Size: 4cm x 6cm x 4cm.  Dictated by the role of the connectors and the size of the aluminum piping used.
Timeframe: Multiple connectors were printed on the bed at each time to ensure as many as possible were produced, resulting in an overnight print (which would mean individual pieces would be produced in a four hour print).
Process: The students used Tinkercad to produce the files which were converted for the printing.  The older filament, which is dating back to the end of 2014 was able to produce a workable print.  Tinkercad/Cura were utilized again, as was the Ultimaker 2+ which was able to produce better quality prints than the others produced by the Ultimaker 2.  There are considerable prints to follow in this series and they will be updated in posts to come on this site, including assembled pictures of the piping.

Beginners Guide to 3D Printing: Cookie Cutters

Raspberry Pi 3 - Printed Case: 3D Printed Cover

This is an alternative version of the cover for the previous project.  In the example the teacher had used a School Milling Machine to create a plywood cover the for the Raspberry Pi 3 Box.   On discussion with the teacher about the project he indicated that he had initially produced a 3D printed lid, and decided to go for a wood finish for aesthetic reasons.  This photograph is of the other option for a lid, and features the Raspberry Pi Logo.  It was screen shot and then imported directly into Tinkercad.

The shot to the left shows the base of the cover, which included a stand built into the design.  It was a 12 hour print without rafting on a regular setting.  (Please note that all prints from now on are primarily being carried out on an Ultimaker 2 which has an expansion kit installed on it, the Ultimaker 2+)

Raspberry Pi 3 - 3D Printed Case

Challenge: The teacher concerned had a Raspberry Pi 3 and wanted to produce a case to keep in secure and protect it.  To do so used a combination of machines and Tinkercad.  He used a milling machine to produce the wooden lid and then used the Ultimaker 2 to 3D Print the case.
Background: This project was originated by the classroom teacher as an individual project.
Task: Produce a workable case for a Raspberry Pi3 which would protect the device but also also for the device for being fully operational.
Task: The dimensions for the project were sourced from plans available on Thingiverse, although the teacher did not use these plans, he still created an original piece in Tinkercad.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate - although this was a teacher designed and originated project students could replicate it by following the process.    The original measurements were taken from a third party and this was possibly the most challenging part of the process.

Issues: None - the teacher purchased a set of nylon nuts to complete the process and ensure that the lid was secured to the base.  The 3D Print was completed with the Ultimaker 2 (which is an upgrade kit in addition to a regular Ultimaker Printer.
Size: 9.5cm x 3c, x 6.5cm.  (which is the dimensions of a device to house the Raspberry Pi 3).
Timeframe: 3D Printed components: the base was printed in an overnight print on regular Ultimaker2 3D Print settings.  The timeframe was approximately twelve hours.  The lid was produced by a school milling machine and took two days to cut the wood.   The wood was then lacquered with spray from a spray can, and left to set.    The Plywood lid was a regulation piece of wood.
Process: This was a little different in that Thingiverse was the first port of call - however this was to gain the measurement specifications to make the base.  Both the base and the lid were designed in Tinkercad and milled and then 3D Printed.   They were then joined by the screws.    The design of the Raspberry Pi Logo was screen shot and then dropped directly into Tinkercad.

3D Printed Mathematical Object Star

Above: The 'star' printed design

This was the final 3D Designed Object that was entered by students in our local Mathematical 3D design competition.   The students who were responsible for this design and print were Y8 students who were 12 or 13 years old, as were the other objects in the series.

How long did it take to print: the student assured me that the print in question took three hours to print.   I concluded based on my experience that this was not correct, as given the size of the object it would have been a minimum of thirteen hours of print.  It was printed on a 'fast print' setting.
Size: 15 centimetres.
Problems or Issues: the print had multiple angles and points of the star, as a result the print had various rough points and points that needed to be finished.  The print was designed and created without rafting using Tinkercad.
What would you do differently: The student would have created a bigger star to be more impressive.

3D Printed Mathematical Objects - 'Rubiks cube'

Rubix cube final print

This is the third in the series of students created 3D Printed objects that were entered by students as part of a local Mathematical competition.   Traditionally in the 3D Design section of the competition the students have created objects from traditional material, to our knowledge our school is the first to 3D Print objects specifically for the competition - although of the four objects entered only the previous 'Lemon Squeezer' object achieved a 'merit' placing.

The student responsible for this 3D Print wrote a post about it on her student blog.  You can view the link by clicking here.

Original design in Tinkercad

How long did it take to print? Twenty hours approximately - the student was unsure about the settings and passed it onto the classroom teacher once it was designed in Tinkercad.  Judging by the weight and the quality of the finish it was printed on a 'fast print' setting like most of our prints.
Problems/Issues: The rafting is visible on the base of the print, this wasn't sufficient to be easily removed and as a result was still visible on the finished print.   A further design issue was that the entire print was one colour and the student would have preferred to create one based on different colours, although not those necessarily from a traditional Rubix cube.
What would you do differently: The student had considered the combination of colours and somehow printing a combination of colours to have different squares.  However there would have been issues, the design of a Rubix cube has shapes on the sides of each square and they could be individually rotated - the other question was the gap between the blocks, this was created but cutting a regular box shape and inserting a gap, this was simple to do with a basic design but combining colours which would have to be rejoined together which would have been much more challenging.

3D Mathematical Printed Competition Entry 2

Print showing the rafting affect

How long did it take to print? four hours - the print was set on a fast print (see below).

Original design as created in Tinkercad

Problems Issues: Rafting of the print wasn't successful.  By making the print a 'fast print' setting the rafting attached to it, the removal of the rafting caused damage to the intended structure.   As a consequence the rafting needed to remain in places on the print, giving it the appearance of being 'rough'.  The student said that with hindsight they should have made the print on a detailed or higher print setting, this would have considerably increased the print time, however it would have greatly increased the strength of the print allowing the rafting to be removed.
What would you do differently? Obviously as a result of the print
and the strength of the print would be changed considerably.   The shape of the design would possibly need to have wider bars as part of it to strengthen it.  As a positive despite the issues with this print, the shape was maintained in the printing and the filament did set with the intended shape.

3D Designed Mathematical Objects:

Note: rafting yet to be removed from the plate

How long did it take to print?
This was designed and printed using the quality settings, instead of the regular fast print.  It was designed this way so the quality of the print would be a good as possible.   As a consequence of this the print time was fifty hours.  However the quality of the print reflected that.
Size: 25 centimetres across.  Depth of 10cm.
Problems or Issues?
None - the students deliberately increased the quality of the print, minimal rafting and clean up once completed was required.
What would you do differently?
Nothing the design worked as the student intended and the overall affect was pleasing (although student is aware that it resembles a lemon squeezer which was not intention!)
Details:
the student was inspired to see the base design online created by other work and this was the first part of the design.  Following that the inner lines and shapes were created.  The competition was for the students to design a Mathematical 3D shape and this achieved a merit award at the local competition.   The traditional entries from the other schools and students were objects that were designed and build using physical objects we were the only school that was 3D Printing ours. The student used Tinkercad and was as Y8 student (12 year old).

3D Printed Art for Mathematics Competition

This series of prints was completed for a specific competition.   The local students have a regional competition that they can enter into.   The competition is Mathematically based and as part of Methanex Mathematics promotion, details of which you can find by clicking on the link here.

Traditionally the students in the competition have created 3D models using materials such as sticks, straws, blue tack etc to produce a model that was three dimensional.

This year the students from our school used Tinkercad to create three dimensional designs, and then printed them using the Ultimaker2.  The concepts a relatively new one for the competition, having visited the displays in the past 3D Printed objects are not the norm, so it will be interesting to see how this will be reflected in the judging.  The students themselves will complete the printing details for each of the objects shortly and we will post the details online.

Door Signs/Classroom Passes

Note: Attempt at having a join created by printing

Challenge: This project was teacher initiated.   The teacher was looking for a way to use the 3D Printer to create a sign for placement above the door of the classroom - as the finished product was approximately 30cm this was also the perfect size for a classroom pass.  Previously I have worked in schools where students had to have one of these when leaving the classroom to go to other locations.
Background: As detailed above.  The teacher was looking at a dovetail approach to join together two separate prints (see below) we are very fortunate with the Ultimaker 2 that we have a large base to print off.  The length of the combined print was thirty centimetres.

Whare Paku translates to 'Bathroom'

Task: The idea was to link two separate 3D prints together to form a solid print.
Level of Difficulty: Using Tinkercad the task was straightforward and followed the format of the previous prints.  The details were then pulled out of the base sign.    Overall: Low (however it is important to read the note below about the joining of the print).

The wood version of the sign milled from wood

Issues: The join failed.   The teacher had attempted to create a 'dovetail' join for the two separate prints.  The two interlocked however the teacher had to force the two together by standing on them, in doing so this produced the crack that is visible.   The print had been completed on a draft setting which possibly contributed to the failure of the join.   The idea being if they interlocked and were strong enough any bonding (such as glue) would not be necessary.
Size: 30cm long by 5cm high and depth of 4cm.  
Timeframe: Each of the two sections was twenty hours on fast print setting.
Process: Tinkercad for design converted to Cura 2, then downloaded on a memory card and direct print.  Following the failure of the join the teacher concerned used the School milling machine to wood cut the same design into a sign.  He used his original Tinkercad 3D Print and then altered the lettering to produce the print.

Student Creation: Money Holders

Above: Student design shown to scale

Challenge: Previously students had designed boxes to hold classroom cash as designs from the student.  These boxes had times ranging from 35 to forty hours for the base.  As an alternative the student concerned designed a holder that was a single figure.  This is the same student who had previously designed and created the 'pencil topper' print and design.

Background: The task was to create a holder for the students 'classroom cash' that are rewarded to students for excellent behaviour.  Previous designs were based around a full sized box.

Task: Students to create a workable print that was original and creative.

Original Design in Tinkercad with insert clearly visible

Level of Difficulty: Medium on the basis that the design was up to the students and the detail was dependant on the design.  This is shown further refinement from the 'pencil topper' design.

Issues: None.   The student was able to produce a limited amount of rafting with the project and the print was completed in a single print run.
Size: Length of 6cm (high), width (5cm)
Timeframe: Six Hours on Fast print setting.

Above: front on final print

Process: The student (who is ten years old) has shown the creativity to create original designs from scratch using Tinkercad and a laptop as creative tool.  He is confident and enjoying the process.  He is developing his ideas around geometric shapes and applying the problem solving.  Design from scratch using Tinkercad, converted to Cura for 3D printing and printed on an Ultimaker 2.
Recommendation: The student has been pleased with the quality of the print and the design of the animal.  There is a clear evidence of his progress using Tinkercad to create animals/shapes and the student is becoming recognised by his peers as a problem solver.  The print time would mean that the print is realistic as a holder for a variety of objects and could be easily modified to hold other objects depending on the needs of the students.

3D Prints: Student Improvements and Refinements

Above: Token Box version 2.0

Above: Token Box with tokens.

When the students start utilizing the technology they are showing consistently that they can improve designs that follow later in a sequence.

Already we've recently documented on this site projects such 3D Printed Student Token Box, since this print another two designs in the sequence have followed - the latest of which is shown on the right.

Above: 'Fish' Designed Cookie Cutter

The shape has changed considerably from a box like shape to a circular dish, also the lettering which was sunken in with the initial design has now evolved into having it standing out from the print.     The size and most other details contained with the original post are all still relevant and therefore we will not be posting this in its entirety.

There are a number of 'Cookie Cutters' currently in production.   The first of these was the 'Golf' themed Cookie Cutter detailed in a previous post.   Following this initial production a group of students have produced different themed versions of this creation, which have allowed the students to be creative and also produce something unique.  There will be a separate post on this material, featuring a range of student designs shortly.

Finally as previously described the students who are competing in the Junior Robocup Competition involving Lego NXT/EVO3 Robots have been utilizing the 3D Printers to create props for the performance.   Following the initial creation of a few props students have started to realise the potential of the machines and how to integrate them successfully.   The latest prop to appear is the sign featured to the right.  The sign design initially was created by having the students write onto cardboard and then have it sellotaped up.  Upon seeing some of the props that were being produced the students created this sign for the performance.   It was created by a Y5/6 student, using Tinkercad and the regular production process.  The sign is 15cm long, 12cm high and was produced on 'fast' setting over a five hour print.  The sign is requiring to be re-printed as the lettering was produced individually on a ledge, without rafting.   The lettering was put together individually and dragged out of Tinkercad and as a result isn't uniform in size.

3D Printed Token Box

Slot with token being inserted

Challenge: Students to design a token box suitable for holding the school reward for behavior tokens.
Background: Behaviour for students is rewarded by a coupon system.  The coupons are rewarded for positive behaviour and used as an incentive during assembly.  At the end of assembly student house leaders collect the tokens.  Currently this has been done by using a cup.   The intention was to involve the older school students (Y7/8) 12 and 13 year olds to design something practical that would make use of the printers.

Slot visible with ruler for scale

Task: Students to create and 3D image a design that had an opening to allow the tokens to be placed into the box, a lid to allow the removal of the tokens after assembly so they could be placed in the larger token box, and something to represent the house/section of school.

Name of the house in rear

Level of Difficulty: Low - students had seen the 'classroom cash' boxes created in the next door class so they knew that they could complete these relatively easily.  Given that the numbers of tokens is varied from assembly to assembly the size of the slot was the major variable and the ability of the lid to slide on and off.
Issues: None - the finished product managed to meet the brief and fulfill the designed role.
Size: 10cm width, 9cm depth, 10cm height - for base the lid was printed separately in same print run and was essentially just a 3mm thick sheet to slide into the slot of the top of the box.
Timeframe: Forty hours on a fast print setting this included the box and the slide on lid.
Process: Influence by some of the boxes produced in the next class the idea came together following a creation in Tinkercad which was converted to Cura (Ultimaker 2 Software) and then to GCode for Printing.  For additional recognition for the Whanau the name of the house was sunken into the back of the box.  The houses have four primary colours however this is 'blue'.
Recommendation: As a high visibility use of the 3d Printers that has a regular use, potentially for a significant amount of time.   Perhaps the filament could have used that was matching the Whanau colour (although technically it could be painted, realistically it won't be as to get a decent finish it would need to be spray painted).

Student Creation: Pencil Topper

The Print before it was removed

Challenge: Student brief was use the 3D Printer to create and design something that was of practical use in the classroom.
Background: The classroom mentioned has been where a lot of the recent featured work on this site is coming from.  The students are showing increased aptitude with the 3D Printers and are feeding off each other to produce creative and interesting designs.   This task started as a isometric design in Tinkercad with an oval for the base, the features of the chicken came as a consequence of applying shapes.  The final stage was to determine while the print was finalised what the purpose would be.  It was decided the most practical use was as a 'pencil topper' an object to sit on a regular student pencil.

Note egg shell on the head of the chicken

Task: Students to create a project for the 3D printer that was original and innovative.
Level of Difficulty: Low - the design was original and a free task.
Issues: The eggshell design on the top of the design didn't print as anticipated, however there was no attempt at any rafting.
Size: 10cm by 15cm
Timeframe: Four hours on a fast print setting.
Process: This print came as an organic creation process involving a design with Tinkercad - as mentioned the brief  was a creative design that originated from the students, to use the printers.
Recommendation: This process should hopefully lead to another group of students to utilize the printers and to do so in a more creative manner.  This is a basic introduction task as a stepping stone for more complex tasks.  By having it in the classroom in a visible place it would work as a conversation starter too.

3D Printing Site: Maker Club

For those of you who have not seen this site linked on the right hand side of the page I would strongly recommend that you check it out.

It has some fantastic practical examples of 3D Printing student projects that can be completed and some excellent resources and material.  You can click on the link on the right hand side or on the link here.

3D Printed Cookie Cutters

The Print fresh off the machine

Challenge: For students to produce a working cookie cutter capable of producing cookies.
Background: The teacher was looking for a task concerned that would allow students to create a unique and individual piece, with a practical use, that would be allowed to be printed over a short time frame.  Previously I have seen numerous versions of this task based around the print time.
Task: Student to design and create a 3D model for a working cookie cutter, then convert the model to 3D printed GCode and then print the piece.
Level of Difficulty: Low.  While the shape allows for individuality and the student needed to print it in reverse this was an excellent introduction to 3D printing task that would produce something straightforward for the student in a short time frame.
Issues: None.  The first print run produced a working prototype.  The only considering on viewing the print would be the width of the cutter outline.  It was set to fast print setting and would appear to be not very robust in a couple of places.   Consideration would be given once it has been fully tested to expand the width of the print and improve its strength.

Reverse of the cookie cutter

Size: 20cm by 15cm with a depth of a centimetre.
Timeframe: Two hours on fast print setting - consideration for a 'normal' or thicker print.
Process: A straight forward print that followed the process outlined in task - the use of the item will determine whether the process needs to be refined.  As mentioned in numerous other posts the process of Tinkercad/Cura/Ultimaker2 was followed to complete the process and finish.  Again as noted on this blog, the students are anticipated to be refining subsequent prints in the series once the idea has been discussed and the prototype in the series has been fully tested and use.  This is anticipated to be the first print in a series of classroom items following this theme.
Recommendations: This would be a good introduction task for students to 3D Print.  It allows the students individualism with the design (this student is a huge golf fan) and above all the projected print time would mean it would be possible to print an entire class during the period of a week.