3D Printed Student Designed Eggcup

Above: Inverted Eggcup

Challenge: For the student to design an original project using the 3D Printers - an eleven year old student in this case.  
Background: This was the first eggcup attempted by a student for some time.  The default designs of Tinkercad was used (so the 'chicken' design has featured in part in several other designs on this site.
Level of Difficulty: Medium - the basis of the design was the Tinkercad character default but considerable detail had to be added to make it a workable eggcup.
Size: 15cm in length, and ten cm wide.

Interior visible.

Timeframe: Nine hours with a 8mm print nozzle. (Note this is now the default size for prints on this site, previously it was 4mm but as a consequence we have considerably reduced the print time on a number of projects.
Issues: One foot was broken off during rafting removal when the print was completed.  The rafting under the wing was proving problematic to remove.  Both these issues could have been reduced by the use of pliers to remove following print.  The balance of the print meant that it was not suitable for the intended purpose.
Process: Tinkercad into the new version of Cura, then printed on an Ultimaker 2+.   Standard filament used with an increase in the size of the nozzle.  This is significantly reducing the print times as a consequence and not greatly affecting the quality of the print that is being produced.
What would we do differently: The base needs to be redesigned in some way to strenthen the feet of the print so that it is able to be removed from the print base - it also needs to have more structure to it so it can balance and serve its purpose.  The eggcup size is generous a redesign is currently being planned to address these issues.

3D Printed Desk Organiser

Above: Original design shown to scale

Challenge: For student to create an original design that had a specific and working purpose.
Background: Student was given the opportunity to create a project of their choice, and designed and created a pencil and pen holder that would be functional and for use in the classroom to sit on the students desk.
Level of Difficulty: Medium.   The task involved a number of inlays to hollow out the inside.
Size: 9cm high, 6cm wide and 6cm deep.  The inserts went within a short distance of the base to allow a variety of stationery to be held.  

Above: View showing holder clearly

Timeframe: Eight hour print - a high grade of PLA was used as this was the current roll.  
Issues: None, from design to print it worked perfectly, there was a minor issue with the base, although this was not related to the design and was solved by the use of superglue in one corner.
Process: As per the 'norm' on this site at present the process was design in Tinkercad, the .STL then switched to Cura for printing on the Ulitmaker 2+.
What we would do differently: Given the success of the print and the task for the student little would be done differently.  It allowed the student to produce a practical object that had use in the classroom and was successful for the purpose which it was designed and was printed for.  This was the students first design/print.

3D Printed Parent Designed Keyring

Above: Parent designed keyring

Challenge: Looking for opportunities to improve the partnership between parents and students we held an opportunity for parents to come into school and use the 3D Printers independent of the students.

Background: This was an opportunity for an adults first design, from scratch, without prior knowledge and use of Tinkercad or an iMac.  The session was designed as part of an introduction for parents and the design time allocated was ten minutes.

Level of Difficulty: Low - (however this needs to be put into the context of who was designing the project.)

Size: One of the smallest prints that we've ever completed.  5mm depp, 2cm wide/high and 5cm in length.

Timeframe: 45 minutes on a regular print setting.

Issues: The first print (pictured above) had some issues with the hole in the top right hand corner, this caused a second print run to occur, when the problem resolved itself.

Process: It was initially hoped that the parents would be able to complete the project independently, however this was not going to occur in the timeframe so two students came and completed the process.

What we would do differently: This project is one that the students felt confident in assisting with, and given the straightforward to ensure that the parents were able to complete the task successfully.

3D Printed Gift Ideas (Beginner)

Above: Desk stand gift for parent.

Challenge: Student wanted to produce original gift to give to two members of her family.
Background: These designs were created by the student in her first attemps at 3D Printing, without input from others.  The student had been part of the class producing 'Christmas' themed decorations last year however this was the first opportunity for her to print individualised projects.
Level of Difficulty: Low - these designs were created with basic default settings from Tinkercad, and required a basic design.

Above: 'Alyssa' star gift with rafting clearly visible on gem (top).

Size: The 'rural fire' desk stand was a block design that had a depth of 2cm, a length of 10cm and a height of 8cm.   The 'Alyssa' star design was 15cm across, with a depth of 1cm.
Timeframe: Combined eight hours for both projects.  Both were printed as a 'fast print'.
Issues: 'Alyssa' star design lifted on the base and had to be superglued, this was an issue related to the filament, not the design.  Both designs were basic but produced the required result.
Process: Tinkercad with the design all created from the basic interface.  Converted to Cura for printing on the Ultimaker 2+.  What we would do differently: This task has been detailed before, or variations of it.  It has proven suitable as an introductory print that could be easily designed, printed successfully by the student who was extremely pleased with the results.