2021 3D Printed Christmas Decorations

In the past we have used the seasonal time to have students create a range of 3D Printed Christmas decorations, to hang from a tree.  Typically by managing the size of the prints we have been able to target having the prints produced in a run for a classroom.

The prints in this series came about from novice students who were nine and ten years old using a design process of initially drawing a sketch, converting that sketch into a 3D Design via Tinkercad and then printing the design using the Ultimaker2+ machines that we have in the classroom.   The machines have been here since 2016 and were reconditioned in 2019 - so are durable reliable and slightly old.

The first print shown here was 80mm across and 80mm long, the bow was added via the main Tinkercad interface and a simple cross pattern was added to the design of the print.   The final design aspect of the print was to create a hole, which is located at the top of the present so that it could be easily hung from the tree.

The student concerned created this print following the design process with minimal teacher input.   The print took 45 minutes to print and following the process was extremely successful.   Further details will be applied in the decoration process.

Left: This design was shown prior to removal of the rafting.   The student wanted to create a traditional Christmas Tree design with the angles created to make the design.    The student concerned has used Tinkercad in the past but not for a year or so but was able to pick it up extremely quickly.   

One aspect of the design that the student needed to address was the decorations that he had added to the tree.   One of the baubles was not attached to the tree itself (hence the delay in removing the rafting so that the student could clearly be aware of the issue)

The total print took one hour to complete - it was a relatively quick design, with the student having a clear idea about the finished product and how it might be developed and decorated.

The student is intending to decorate the baubles and then see if he can return them to the print, with some form of adhesive.   

Left: This design is going to be significantly redesigned.   The student wanted to make a variation of the tree theme, place the name of their family on the tree and include some design aspects (the star, a mini-tree on base of the tree to give it a three dimensional aspect).    

Due to the size of the lettering of the family name, the print did not add this detail (this has occurred at times when the print is too small).   The student has decided to enlarge the base of the design and then to increase by scale ensure the detail was created - as a result of this the decoration would then bring the detail in the print to the fore.   All of the designs that have been featured here are part of a series of thirty that are currently being produced (on the single class printer).   The prints will be selective from this point forward.  We have posted a series of prints in the past from basic designs such as the ones that we have featured above running all the way to a extremely complication piece such as the sleigh from 2018.

Using Spray Paint to Add Depth to 3D Printing

 

This print was designed by a student as a gift for a parent.   It was printed with a basic white PLA using an Ultimaker 2+.

The student wanted to add depth to the print so additional decoration was created using commercial (18+) aerosol spray cans.   The first stage was the entire design was sprayed red.   Then once this had dried a layer of masking tape was applied to the right hand side of the design.   The second was then applied to the other side.   The last stage of this design was to use yellow spray and to spray at a distance and flick the can which created the affect of having the spots of yellow over the design.    This has considerably altered the design, which is virtually unrecognisable from its original presentation.   This design was created by a novice nine year old designer and the decoration was applied by a ten year old who has had some experience in design (and is responsible for the 'three minute pact man earrings' featured on this blog.   

The students then had a brainstorming session where the final design was discussed.   There were various suggestions that came from the student.   The lettering was identified as something that needed to be highlighted - and hence the addition of the lettering.  This aspect of the design was very simple - the students used permanent marker/vivid marker to add additional depth to the lettering.

We have carried out an experiment by putting a 3D print outside and exposed to the elements to look for evidence of damage over time.   You can view the process here, but we know from our experience that the design, shape and colour will hold for years.   

The same technique has been applied to the stamp base that is shown on the left.   Two primary spray paint colours have been used and combined, the second by using the spray at a distance to create a splatter or droplet affect.

Again the base colour for the print has been a basic white PLA which has been considerably altered by the technique shown.

The PLA in our experience responds extremely well to being spray painted and the colour can really enhance the prints and designs.

3D Printed Earrings - Final Completion of 'Pac man Earrings'

 

This is an update of the print previously detailed on this blog.   Since the original print was completed the student involved added some additional detail to enhance the 3D Printing.

The student sprayed the prints with spray cans, added the effects of putting glue to add the eyeballs and then used the hooks (which had been ordered separately online) to complete the project.

The student involved in this project has managed, completed and executed the entire process.   The designs have stemmed from an idea originally conceived by the student.   Key has been their understanding on how to use the printer to design and finish the process, and as mentioned previously the input from the teacher has been minimal.   The print time that has been used for this project is amongst the shorted out of any print on this entire blog - and it has worked perfectly with the idea, concept and completed project to ensure an amazing use of a printer to complete a unique project.