3D Printed Animal Designs: Extension

Challenge: To extend a student who has shown creativity and push the limits of what is possible using the Snapmaker 3D Printer.

Background:   The student who has been working on the 2D Flexible animal designs we would suggest has mastered this part of the process.  We wanted to try and have them extend their work but creating some specific models that were of a larger scale and also could be a statement piece.  As such we challenged the student to move from a two dimensional model and create a three dimensional model along the same lines.  We wanted to push the use of our Snapmaker.   The student was able to use Tinker to create the model which was then imported into Tinkercad for printing.  The design was themed 'Piggy Wiggy' and the student what to create a cartoon pig that was linked via sections.

Level of Difficulty: Extreme - this is the student who has shown time and time again that they are working with an extremely high level of design and creation skills.   The student is motivated and designing and creating these projects in their own time because they want to be involved in the process.  

This is not something that a student would be able to create without working extensively or needing specific design skills.   This has been completed by a student working to the highest level and able to create a balanced print that works and is striking.  While the student who is doing this is a Y7 (eleven year old student).    This would be one of the premiere designs featured on this site of which the Snapmaker is allowed the student to realise.

Size: The print measures 180mm across is 120mm high and 120mm wide.   While this is extremely large the idea was to produce a statement piece.   Once the design is completely mastered (see below) then to scale the design down is a potential idea.

Timeframe: Including the rafting, which was considerable given the linking and the movement that is featured with this print the total printing time was sixteen hours.  Again to scale this was always intended to be a significant print so while this timeframe is considerable it wasn't unexpected.   It was also intended that the Piggy Wiggy would be posable and could be moved and adjusted with its positioning, hence the need for the rafting.

What we would do differently/next step for the student:   While the print looks striking the student has some work to address - the main issue is the linking between the different sections of the pig.  Given the weight and the size of the print the linking needs to be redesigned.  Knowing the student who is involved in the creation process they will relish the chance to challenge themselves to complete this successfully.