Market Day - Packaging Examples

Challenge: To produce packaging to be used in relation to the 3D Prints for School Market Day.

Background: As the students are currently in the process of finishing their final designs for the 3D Printed aspects of their Market Day Projects some of the students who have created and designed their projects already are now focussing on producing the packaging of their projects.   

The mock up of the prints has to include a few compulsory aspects.  One is the print needs to be displayed.  We have a commercial grade laser cutter on site (which will be featured in a post shortly).   As a consequence of this we have a number of 'off cuts' that is prints that haven't worked as intended which are available to the students as scrap.   The students from our class have located a number of these and are using them for the base to hold their designs.    While the MDF is currently an off white we have discussed the students painting the base or using dye to change the colour.

Problem solving with juniors has involved working out ways to secure the prints to the wood.   In the case of use the Roland Sticker Machine it produces an adhesive label that is shiny but also very smooth - the and the prints when sitting on them tend to slide off.  While they can be held in place by ribbon or string this is not fool-proof and tends to require careful management.   One of the potential solutions and one we are using in our classroom is to apply a small amount of blue tack under key parts of the prints, which are not typically visible to the potentially purchaser but make it much more secure to the base.

Prior to using the Roland Sticker Machine the students are experimenting with composition and also looking at practical examples of how the items that they are selling might look.

In the example of the Fennec Fox shown left the student needs to consider that the lettering or design font maybe obscured by the placement of a print on top of the labelling.   In this case the student has used  Brandcrowd to create their design although other students in the classroom have also used logomaker for the same purpose.

The students working on all of these projects are Y3 and Y4 students in New Zealand, so students who are eight and nine working on 3D Printing for the first time in most cases in the classroom.

Again with the rabbit which has previously featured on this blog the student is looking at ways to enhance the presentation - when the object is placed on the MDF and the composition looked at and the student then needs to consider the backing.

One of the other aspects of the print is the QR code designed by the students linking to additional information and work.  For students who have already completed and designed the print this allows them to continue working on the project while other students are looking at completing their designs and testing them.

Roland - Versa Studio Sign Maker BN-20

Project Details: Roland Versa Studio Sign Maker BN-20

How are we using the technology: We are very fortunate at our school to have a variety of technology that is available to our students.  One such piece of technology is the Roland Sign Maker (detailed and linked above).   We have used this machine to produce stickers for our school.   As a result students have to think about how they might use the technology - what is the purpose?

We have posted with significantly about our School Market Day which is coming up later next month.   One aspect of the work that the students are producing is the packaging that goes with their product.   In this instance the sticker machine is being used to produce adhesive stickers which can then be applied to the packaging.

The older students in our school tend to use Mac Books and programs such as GIMP for the photographic design and manipulation.   In the junior school students have used a straight forward program with their iPads such as pic collage which is available from the App store.

In the example shown left the students from this group ordered online from a retail site in New Zealand which sells batched products for lip balm.   They then used the available information to produce the lip balm.

For packaging the students ordered the bags shown in bulk from Ali-Express.    The personalisation of the products came from using the sticker machine to produce individualised business stickers for the product.  As they are adhesive they attached to the plastic tubes and stay in place.

This adds considerably to the presentation of the product and the individuality of the groups work and branding.  We have also used some branding sites in addition to this for students to create individual and unique business logos and designs.

Additional information on this machine and process will be following as will a tab from the main blog page.

3D Prints: Ongoing Classroom Projects Term Four 2023

Accessories for the Fox: While the Fox detailed previously on this blog has been completed and is a completely original print, the student also wanted to look at providing accessories.   This student had viewed some of the ideas from last years market day project accessories and wanted to create something unique to go with the fox.

The students idea was to create something simple that would match with the fox - hence the creation of a plate/bowl to be combined with it.   The student is now moving onto creating packaging to go with the print.

Accessories for the Dragon.   We have also detailed on this blog about a group of students who are focussing on 'Dragon Prints'.   This process started when the students (who are Y3 eight years old) located and tired to buy 3D Printed Dragons online for $60.00.   As noted reverse engineering of the project determined they could be printed relatively easily - however this was not original work (although the students did work on the decorations including for the first time using glitter in combination with spray painting, which as the paint dried then stuck to the print.    The students have experimented with creating additional items to go with the dragons - as shown in the photograph you can see early version of 'swords' and a dragon egg.   Both students are working independently for the first time on creating these projects.

Another student has a particular interest in a specific creature, an Amazon River Dolphin.  The student found some examples of models of these online but wanted to use the scribble design part of the main Tinkercad interface to create something original.   He also wanted to create an accessory - and having researched the animal he saw that crabs are one of the food sources.  As a fan of a particular TV show he then created the crab to represent it.   Finally he used Pixton to create a unique cartoon with information about the animal which is going to be used as a key part of the packaging for the product.  He is intending to refine the design of both to increase the accuracy of the design.

We have a wide range of students in the classroom ranging from experienced designers who are confident, creative and independent designers.

We also have some students who for the first time are experimenting with designs.  Some of these designs are starting as basic shapes - in this instance the horse (shown left) has been located online and the students have modified it by the process of introducing a simple shape into it to convert it from a relatively larger shape into a bag tag shape.  This design is shown in the testing prior to the decoration with the spray painting.    They will do this under supervision.

3D Printed Earrings: Evolving Print

Challenge: To produce a market day item for sale unique and innovative.

Background: This print had featured earlier in this blog in a slightly different form.  In this example the student concerned had designed the print as a key ring.  The student found the design (shape of the cow) available as a free online shape.     She then spent a short time adding the star to the design and then inserted a hole through the design.  More time was spent on the choices of the spray painting colours.  When this was completed the student thought that they were completed and was working on packaging and the stickers for the final product.

Then the student from playing with the keyring and made a decision to alter the design to change and develop earrings instead.   Obviously the original design with its dimensions was not suitable for earrings - so there was some redesigning and thinking about process - the goal of which was to ensure that the design could be converted into a suitable earring.

The first stage was a simple reshaping of the design to suit the dimensions.  In the original design (in blue in the photograph top left) the shape was 70mm across and 60mm high.    The first resizing was a full third of this size, with the entire design reshaped to reflect a more realistic size.  In the original although not visible the width of the print was halved so that the earrings would not be too heavy.   This reduced the print time to forty five minutes, while the length of the prints were halved.   We have previously detailed on this blog the creation of a six minute print - Pac Man Earrings from 2021.

In the first 'pair' variation shown left the student then experimented with printing a potential pair of earrings, but wanted to use an earring hook to ensure that the earrings would hang correctly and check their weight.  It allowed the student to identify subtle changes that needed to be made.   The heart shape hole inside the print had two issues - one which was of course its location (which meant the prints did not hang correctly) and the second was when the hook connector was attached the loop affected the hang.

The student spent some time experimenting with this before being able to refine the print further.  The student completing this process is a Y3 student so that is someone who is seven years old (although this is a student who is very hard working and generally capable with design ideas that are positive.  It should be also pointed out that this is there very first 3D Print original design and process involvement.

The final design (with the earring hook and loop attached) is shown left.   As is visible the hole has been re-centred and the heart replaced with a simple circle - this meant that the cow now hung correctly, was balanced and even.

In terms of the PLA required to make this print we gave the students the details of the cost of the roll of filament which they then (with a little teacher help) was able to calculate that each print is costing $.40c NZD to produce (for a pair).   The irony is that the hooks while being smaller (but an integral part of the print none-the-less) are actually more expensive than the PLA required to complete the 3D Prints.  In terms of a price point the student is (still) currently struggling - having made the print, created it and designed it the raw cost for materials is obviously under $1.00 NZD for the entire product and the student has attempted to price compare to original earrings that are online to set a realistic price point.

The purpose of next months School Market Day is not to make as much profit as possible per item - it is to show and give the students opportunities to showcase innovation.   This design and process meets that criteria.

What we would do differently/Next steps for students: This design has reached to the point that the student is expanding into different designs following the same format, looking at realistic packaging options and ways to market the product.   All in all the process is considered extremely successful and while the initial key ring is also a product for sale the earrings will now be the focus.

Y3 Market Day Items: Beginners Prints

Challenge: For students who have never produced a 3D Print to create an original project for School Market Day.

Background: We have the School Market Day approaching (which is summarised in a tab on this blog with exemplars and examples).  A number of students for the first time are trying to produce something original which they can then in term promote or sell on our community day.   

With our junior classroom our students in some cases have not had an opportunity before to design a print and it can be an engaging and rewarding experience.  

Two current examples are the jumping dog shown above in the left hand corner.  This student is a Y3 student and a recent transfer to our school - this is his very first 3D Print.  He located a freely available print of a leaping dog.   He wanted to change it into a key ring and as a result took the image imported it into Tinkercad.   From there it was a simple matter of adding hole into the design for the purpose of transforming it into a key ring - and then the student (under supervision of other older students) spray painted the design.   

The print took three and a half hours to complete on the regular default settings (which is a twenty percent infill).  There was no rafting on the print.  The print measured 70mm across and was 90mm high (at the back leg).   The print was 20mm thick/deep - potentially this could have been reduced to maintain the robust nature of the print but to reduce the print time.  

As we detailed in this situation the students part of the process needs to create something original as the student has to claim ownership of the design process.  Examples from last year included using a design like this but creating original accessories and also focussing on the packaging with the product.   It goes without saying that the student has enjoyed the process and is thrilled with the result.  The student is now going to test the keyring and consider the placement of the whole.

Axolotl Keyring followed a similar process.  The student was looking at designing something that would be unique and have a purpose but also wanted to be something that she would be able to produce and create herself.

Again a basic shape was located as there is a variety available online.  Once this was selected the hole was inserted into the tail.    The dimensions of the print were smaller than usual - it measured 60mm across and was 40mm high, in addition the print was 10mm thick.  This was less robust than the dog but it meant that the print could be completed in a much reduced timeframe - this was only one hour to complete.  Once it was completed again the student then completed the presentation with supervised spray painting by seniors in our school.   This will complete the brief of the project with the addition of packaging and information related to the animal.

3D Printed Student Business - November 24th

We have a confirmed date for our 2023 School Market Day.  This is taking place at Auroa Primary School, South Taranaki on Friday 24th November 2023.   We will be selling a number of innovation items at this event, which have been featured on this blog by students (Y3 and Y4) of our class.  Our classrooms throughout the school including the Y7/8 students who are selling items related to the use of our school Laser Cutter, Poster Making Machine and Sticker Making Machine.

We are also looking at refining this site a little bit in terms of presentation and sharing.   

Traditionally since 2015 when we first started posting to this blog with the sharing being limited to Twitter/X.  Initially the teacher responsible for this blog had a significant following (over 9k teachers). 

  

Due to circumstances outside of my control the main account associated with this (@NZWaikato) was deleted and I was unable to recover my account (despite repeatedly trying for several months).   Since then I have continued to share to Twitter/X however my account has not had the same sharing since then and the platform as itself has been struggling as of late.   As a consequence of this we are looking at sharing the material from this site to some different locations such as Instagram and Pinterest.   

The purpose of doing that is the same reason that the site was established for.   We always intended to share examples of works and ideas relating to the use of 3D Printer in the classrooms.  We since the establishment of the site not only have 3D Printers been used in the classroom but also additional resources as well (Printers, Sticker Machines, Laser Cutter) however while we intend sharing examples of these items on the site we are not intending to change the name of the site!   

3D Printed Fennec Fox - Market Day 2023

Challenge: To make an original Fennec Fox model.

Background: With the school Market Day approaching later this school term one of the students wanted to use their interests in Fox to create an original 3D Print.   This example was fennec fox - which is somewhat famous for the size of its ears.  The student involved had researched the animal and used this as a basis for the design shown left.

This version of this fox was designed using the main interface of Tinkercad.   The entire design for the fox was made by selecting the different shapes and manipulating them to the desired size.   The overall affect allowed the student to create a 'cartoon' fox.   This is the first independent design for this student who is a Y4 from our school in New Zealand making them eight years old.

Level of Difficulty: Medium - This is not a completely free design because the student is basing their entire design on the recognition between the fox and the design that they have made.  It was discussed afterwards to use this process to create a fantastical creature.

Size: This is the prototype to see if the process will work and a design can be made.  This design dimensions are reflected in this.   The design measured 25mm across and was 35mm high with a height of 40mm.    A successful print at this stage would lead to potentially a bigger print in the future.

Timeframe: This print came in, including minimum rafting at ninety minutes.   There is minimum rafting (waste printing) to go with the print, some minor adjustments which is potentially 

What we would do differently/next steps for the students: Given the usual factors this has been extremely successful.   The student is thrilled with the result - however questions have arisen given the use of the design.  We have some Chess fanatics in the classroom they have realised already that the piece here is potentially able to be used.   

The other option potentially is to look at other games - either a small ring toss or a game of noughts and crosses (also referred to as Tic-Tac-Toe in some locations).    These options potentially need another animal to act as the counter - the student is researching what might be created or used to do this.